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HispanicVista Guest Columnists

Is Obama Talking Down to Brown?

By Gil Cisneros

Its not often I quote Jesse Jackson.  But after listening to Obama's speech to LaRaza on July 13^th, I finally understood what Jackson was saying.  This time, however, Obama was not speaking down to black people.  Instead, he was speaking down to brown peopleto the Hispanic community.  Its not what Obama said, but more importantly, what he didnt that is so troubling.  

Sure, Obama, like McCain, said we must legalize the millions of people working and contributing in this country.  Unlike McCain, however, Obama hasnt exactly been there for us. Its not called the Obama/McCain immigration bill, now is it?  

Obama could have demonstrated courage and actually put his name on this bill.  Instead, he took the easy route.  It wouldnt play so well in battleground states or with swing voters. Ask yourself before entering the voting booth this November one simple but integral question. Who sacrificed potential votes to do the right thing?  

Advocating legalization is a necessary condition for Hispanic support, but it is not sufficient.   Supporting NAFTA, for example, is also critical.  NAFTA is the goose laying golden eggs.  The economic power of NAFTA raises all boats by increasing productivity, and thus living standards.   It ushered in the longest period of economic expansion I have seen in my lifetime.   U.S. Latinos, in particular, are well positioned to capitalize and reap gold.  If our youth value their bilingual heritage, we have a natural comparative advantage in the industries of the future.     

Hispanics must demand support for NAFTA for another reason.  Its continued implementation will increasingly undermine the economic motives fueling illegal immigration.

As a middle class in Mexico grows, Mexicans will be seen as partners rather than demonized or scapegoated.   McCain understands this. 

Since NAFTAs adoption, Mexico has experienced, for the first time in history, low interest rates and a stable macroeconomic profile.  If it can continue to deregulate  for the first time in the history of this ancient land, it has the potential to create a middle class, energized by the Mexican work ethic so abundantly apparent here, in the US.

So, with all these benefits, why are Democrats engaged in the anti-NAFTA rhetoric? 

Its code.  By being anti-NAFTA candidates, they can convey to white-voters in battleground states that they share their concerns about the Hispanic problem without ever having to actually say anything racist. 

How do I know? 

Anyone who knows anything about trade knows the U.S. has signed dozens of trade deals since NAFTA.  Yet Democrats arent calling to renegotiate the Israeli/U.S. FTA or the WTO agreement which allowed China access to the U.S. market. 

Why is that? Think about it.  Anti-NAFTA is Anti-Hispanic.

Which brings up another issue glossed over with soaring rhetoric. 

In the late 1970s, 65% of Hispanic young men dropped out of high school.  Since that time, literally billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent, most of it pocketed by the teachers unions and public school administrators.

Whats the drop outs rates today in Denver Public School?  65%. 

How exactly can Mr. Obama address this problem while he takes money and support from the very people educating our children as if the only jobs they can ever be qualified for is either a maid or someone who tending their yards? .      

Finally, Obamas speech tells me that he does not understand us. In spite of the fact that Hispanic Americans are very divergent, we share one thing in common.  We love the U.S.; and  not because we want to be on the public dole or want a new social program. 

Many Latinos share the unpleasant experience of coming from countries with bloated governments, which engender unstable economic conditions, high interest rates and valueless money.  We know too much government spending makes it impossible to run a business or make a living.  The U.S. is looking down the barrel at a Democratic Congress. 

Only McCain, someone with proven integrity and guts, offers the hope that this same malaise wont eventually overtake the US economy.   A balanced budget and stable macro-economic climate are our chief imperatives.

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Gil Cisneros is the Principal of Grupo Cisneros Internacional. Mr. Cisneros can be reached at 720-309-7686.