Texas Politics, Latinos, and the GOP
published: September 3, 2008
Living in the ever changing and historic culture of Texas, I watch as equally empassioned peoples on each side of the (Citizenship) debate fight about the issues that they find most important. From their extreme opposite positions of: (1) open borders, to (2) unfettered and open immigration (illegal or otherwise). In this fog of politics and passion we search for any common ground. In this article I won't delve into this debate (as this may just be the thrid rail of Texas politics), but the debate itself did get me thinking about what exactly I feel is the single root of this issue.That, being the percieved racism by republicans and conservatives against the latino people as a group.
In the current debate equally venomous utterances seem to spring forth from both sides extreme fringe. But for the sake of debate in this article I will put forth a bit of a stereotype; people of color from all economic walks of life and education levels truly don’t give the republican party credit for any great strides in their peoples move toward basic human rights, equality, or simple liberties. In fact my parrty,the party of Lincoln, is often vilified as the institutional oppressor of people of color as well as racists, classist, heartless, and bigots.
We conservatives are equally to blame for the continuation of this blatant lie. Those of us who consider ourselves true conservatives and continue to allow the left, liberals, and the truly uneducated masses to propagate these innaccuracies unanswered, are equally to blame as those who speak them.
I say we no longer allow these lies and this evil mantra from the left. I call on all conservatives to first educate themselves on the differences in our respective parties and their historic positions on the treatment of minorities and their interests.
There is a great deal of information on the strides that we as conservatives have taken in expanding the role of minority leadership, authority, and power in our party at the (national) level over the last eight years. In this article however I look closer to home andfocus on the incredible strides we have made here in Texas.
To focus the message further on the current hot button issue let's review our work with the latino community in Texas. The latino people in Texas continue to be a hard working, family oriented, civically driven group of proud Americans who believe that anyone can enjoy the American dream no matter what station, race, or disabilty from which they are born.
The following information is based on data collected by the republican Party of Texas. You may find quite a bit of it suprising if you personally have bought into the liberal hyope and slander of our party and its positions.
- In Texas:
Since Republicans became the statewide majority in 1994,
8 minority Texans have held statewide office; yet in the 122 years that Democrats controlled the State (1872-1994), only 4 minority Texans held statewide office. - It took Democrats 114 years to elect a single Hispanic to statewide office. The Democrat establishment later tried to defeat him because he was too conservative.
- Under Republican leadership, 5 Republican Hispanics have held statewide office. Currently, Victor Carrillo serves as Chairman of Texas’ powerful Railroad Commission, and Justice David Medina serves on the Texas Supreme Court. Others who have moved into even higher positions include Al Gonzales, appointed by President George W. Bush as U.S. Attorney General and Tony Garza now serving as Ambassador to Mexico.
- When the Republicans became the majority in the Texas Legislature in 1869, they established a system of free public schools to educate all the children of the state something Democrats had refused to do.
- In 1998, Republican Governor George W. Bush created the Office of Border Initiatives, which facilitates trade and investment opportunities for Texas communities and companies along the border.
- In 1999, Republican Lt. Governor Rick Perry established the first ever standing Committee on Border Affairs to address needs along the Texas Mexico border.
- In 2001, Anglo Democrat men comprised only 20% of all Texas House members, but were named to 36% of all chairmanships by the Anglo Democrat Speaker. Hispanics were shortchanged because their support was taken for granted by the Democrat elite.
- In 2003 however, Hispanics received approximately a 5% increase in chairmanships by the Republican Speaker of the House.
- As of October 2004, Governor Perry has appointed over 300 Hispanics to different state commissions.
- Under the administration of Republican Governor Rick Perry, state agencies have invested more resources in the 32-county border region than under Democrat leaders in the State of Texas' entire.
Equal opportunity is a right and privilege we all enjoy in the United States. We as Texans should be able to start a business, run for office, or explore that personal dream of fame or fortune without the looming threat that government will punish their individuality or success.
Latino Republicans continue to be successful leaders in business, politics, and civics in our communities in Texas. We need to remind everyone no matter the race, creed, religious orientation, or station in life the Republican Party of Texas is the political party that can and will assist all citizens to achieve their hopes and dreams.
Please talk to people about this who truly think all republicans are racists simply because they believe in a strong defense and real border security.
I say legally immigrating should be easier for those people who want to come to America and work hard for the dream. That’s what my ancestors did, and remember if someone still says Texas Republicans are racists' remind them that our Texas Party was founded by over 100 African Americans and less than a dozen Anglo-Americans.