Hispanics Should Favor Border Security to Protect the American Dream

Lately, there has been a lot of hype about Donald Trump’s comments on illegal immigration. I’ve seen post after post on Facebook from Hispanics saying they’ll do everything in their power to make sure Trump isn’t elected president because of his tough stance on immigration. People who were otherwise uninterested in politics are suddenly becoming engaged.

While I don’t agree with everything Trump says and does, I have to agree with him on this one issue: America’s border with Mexico needs to be secured. Hispanics across the nation should agree with that concept, even if they don’t agree with his reasoning.

Whenever people – Hispanics in particular – talk about illegal immigration, most cite the American Dream as the reason illegal aliens cross the border.

“They want a better life for themselves.”

“They want their kids to have better opportunities.”

“They contribute to our nation.”

“They do the jobs no one else wants to do.”

Those are all common phrases that have been regurgitated beyond recognition. It’s the mantra we’ve been exposed to for generations. It’s as if we’re supposed to agree with this notion because it’s been repeated so many times. Maybe if we keep repeating it, we’ll eventually believe it, we tell ourselves.

Hispanics, however, should want the border to be secure. They should strive to protect America. You can’t achieve the American Dream without accepting all of America, including our laws.

What makes our nation so great is the number of opportunities we’re presented with. The reason we’re presented with these opportunities is because of America’s unique position in the world. We allow people to make their own decisions, about what’s best for them, often without judgment. As long as we’re not causing harm to someone else, we’re often left to our own devices. If we were a lawless nation, we wouldn’t be as prosperous as we are. Instead of working hard to get a leg up, citizens would steal and loot from businesses. There would be no incentive to have a job. If we were a lawless nation, we would be as corrupt as other countries. Americans would be afraid to walk down the street. They would fear for their safety.

Cubans who fled from the Castro regime are often thankful to call America home. Our nation shielded them from persecution by a horrific dictator.  We opened our arms – and our hearts – to those in need. We were a safe haven for those who were being harmed. We were able to provide that life to these refugees because our laws dictated our lifestyle and the society we’ve built.

Securing our borders ensures that we protect the society we’ve built. Having the right of passage into the United States – done through the legal channels – is the very first test of the American Dream. If you don’t come to America by applying for a visa or citizenship and you decide to cross the border illegally, you’ve automatically denied yourself the American Dream, the same American Dream you set after. By breaking America’s laws, you’re bringing the lawlessness of your homeland with you.

Beth Baumann is a public relations professional in Southern California and a contributor for PolitiChicks.

Via: California Political Review

Continue Reading.....

Obama-Clinton's New War On Wages

Obama And Clinton's New Clean Power Plan Threatens Wages, Jobs, And States' Electric Grids

CLINTON CONTINUES HER ASSAULT ON COAL FAMILIES WITH HER SUPPORT OF OBAMA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN

Clinton Called Obama's Flawed Clean Power Plan (CPP) A "Significant Step Forward"

Clinton Has Vowed To Defend And "Build On" Obama's New Clean Power Plan If Elected President, Calling It A "Significant Step Forward." "Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged Sunday that if elected she will build on a new White House clean energy program and defend it against those she called 'Republican doubters and defeatists.' Clinton was the first 2016 candidate to respond to the ambitious plan that President Obama will debut on Monday. Details of the program, which aims to cut greenhouse-gas pollution, were released over the weekend. The new regulation will require every state to reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants. In a statement Sunday, Clinton called the plan 'a significant step forward in meeting the urgent threat of climate change.'" (Anne Gearan, "Hillary Clinton Promises To Build On Obama Climate Plan As President," The Washington Post , 8/2/15)

JOBS AND WAGES WILL BOTH BE IN DECLINE IN THE HARDEST HIT AREAS

The United Mine Workers Of America Predict Job Losses Of 75,000

United Mine Workers Of America's President Cecil Roberts: "The proposed rule issued today by the Environmental Protection Agency will lead to long-term and irreversible job losses for thousands of coal miners, electrical workers, utility workers, boilermakers, railroad workers and others without achieving any significant reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions." ( Press Release, "EPA Existing Source Emissions Rule Puts American Jobs At Risk, Does Nothing To Address Climate Change," United Mine Workers Of America, 6/2/14)

Analysis From The UMWA Show A Direct Loss Of 75,000 Jobs In Coal Generation By 2020, Because Of CPP. "'Our initial analysis indicates that there will be a loss of 75,000 direct coal generation jobs in the United States by 2020. Those are jobs primarily in coal mines, power plants, and railroads.'" ( Press Release, "EPA Existing Source Emissions Rule Puts American Jobs At Risk, Does Nothing To Address Climate Change," United Mine Workers Of America, 6/2/14)

"By 2035, Those Job Losses Will More Than Double To 152,000," A 50 Percent Cut In "Well-Paying, Highly Skilled Jobs. "'By 2035, those job losses will more than double to 152,000. That amounts to about a 50 percent cut in these well-paying, highly skilled jobs. When a U.S. government economic multiplier used to calculate the impact of job losses is applied to the entire economy, we estimate that the total impact will be about 485,000 permanent jobs lost.'" ( Press Release, "EPA Existing Source Emissions Rule Puts American Jobs At Risk, Does Nothing To Address Climate Change," United Mine Workers Of America, 6/2/14)

The Left-Leaning Economic Policy Institute's Review Of The CPP Show That Job Losses Will Be "Geographically Concentrated"

Economic Policy Institute's Josh Bivens Authored A Report That Showed How Jobs Losses From Obama's Climate Plan Would Be "Geographically Concentrated." "Gross job losses are likely to be geographically concentrated, raising the challenge of ensuring a fair transition for workers in sectors likely to contract due to the CPP." (Josh Bivens, "A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Employment Impacts Of The EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan," Economic Policy Institute, 6/9/15)

This Movement Away From Coal-Fired Power Will Lead To "Significant Declines" In Coal Mining Jobs. "The switch from coal-fired generation will lead to a reduction in demand for coal, and subsequent significant declines in both the short and long term for coal mining jobs." (Josh Bivens, "A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Employment Impacts Of The EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan," Economic Policy Institute, 6/9/15)

• By 2025, Coal Mining Jobs Will Be Reduced By Over 15,000. "In 2020, coal extraction employment is down 12,600 jobs relative to the non-CPP baseline. This means that employment in coal mining is lower by 12,600 jobs than would otherwise be expected in that year because of the CPP. In 2025, coal extraction employment is down 15,300 jobs relative to the baseline." (Josh Bivens, "A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Employment Impacts Of The EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan," Economic Policy Institute, 6/9/15)

Wages Will Decline In Reaction To Rising Energy Prices. "There will also be supply-side reductions as the (slight) decline in real wages spurred by rising energy prices affects labor supply decisions." (Josh Bivens, "A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Employment Impacts Of The EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan," Economic Policy Institute, 6/9/15)

The Report Also Shows How Electricity Rates Will Be Raised, Affecting Employment. "Another channel through which the CPP could affect employment that is missing from EPA estimates concerns the effect of electricity price increases. The CPP is estimated to raise electricity prices by 5 percent in 2020, and by smaller amounts in 2025 and 2030." (Josh Bivens, "A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Employment Impacts Of The EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan," Economic Policy Institute, 6/9/15)

POLLING SHOWS HISPANICS AND AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE AGAINST NEW REGULATIONS

Hispanics Believe "Creating More Jobs" Should Be The Nation's Top Priority

41% Hispanic Voters Chose "Creating More Jobs," As The Top Priority For The Obama Administration, "Improving Air Quality" Came In Last With 4%. "More than four in 10 Hispanic voters (41%) chose 'creating more jobs' as the top priority for the Obama administration out of a list of six popular political issues, with 'improving air quality' coming in last with only 4 percent of Hispanic voters having chosen it." (Morning Consult Polling, 1,094 Hispanic Voters, MoE 3%, 6/15-6/16/15)

• "In Fact, Nearly Seven In 10 Hispanic Voters (69%) Are Satisfied With The Air Quality In Their City Or Local Area." ( Morning Consult Polling, 1,094 Hispanic Voters, MoE 3%, 6/15-6/16/15)
• "When Asked Directly, A Majority Of Hispanic Voters (63%) Said That The United States Should Focus On Creating Jobs And Growing The Economy Over Adding More Air Standards." ( Morning Consult Polling, 1,094 Hispanic Voters, MoE 3%, 6/15-6/16/15)

Hispanic Voters Also Feel That Costs Associated With The New Regulations Will Impact The Average American More Than Businesses

Via: Republican National Commiittee

Continue Reading....

NANCY PELOSI THINKS SLUGGISH JOBS REPORT SIGN OF PROGRESS

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) thinksJanuary's jobs report is a sign of progress, though economic analysts believe it represents, at best, an economy stuck in place. 

Even though the report showed that the economy did not add the 150,000 jobs necessary to keep up with the growth in population, Pelosi said in a statement, “Today’s jobs report shows our recovery continuing to move forward."

She also said her colleagues in Congress could do more to "create jobs and build an economy that works for everyone." She slammed Republicans for not extending unemployment benefits and playing "politics with the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans.”

According to Reuters, though, January was the "second straight month of weak hiring - marked by declines in retail, utilities, government, and education and health employment." In addition, the last two months represented the "weakest two months of job growth in three years, [as] December payrolls were raised only 1,000 to 75,000."

The Associated Press was not optimistic either, saying that the "surprisingly weak jobs report" will renew concerns that the "U.S. economy might be slowing after a strong finish last year" and "undermine hopes that economic growth will accelerate this year." The AP also noted that employers added 194,000 jobs last January while only adding 113,000 this January. The unemployment rates for blacks and Hispanics also increased from the previous month.

Via: Breitbart

Continue Reading.....

Obama approval drops nine points among Hispanics

President Obama's approval rating among Hispanics has dropped below 50 percent -- losing nine points in a week, according to a newGallup poll released on Tuesday.

The president enjoyed a 58-percent rating during the week of Oct. 21, in which he signaled a new push on immigration reform and blamed House Republicans for failing to act on the comprehensive immigration bill passed by the Senate in June.

But Obama's approval rating fell to 49 percent in the following week.

Obama came under fire the past week due to a wave of private insurance cancellations and technical problems with the Obamacare website.

That marks the lowest approval rating for Obama among Hispanics in the Gallup weekly approval rating poll since the week of Dec. 26, 2011, to Jan. 1, 2012, when he earned a 46-percent favorable rating.

His approval rating soared to the high seventies in the spring of 2013 as the Senate worked to pass a comprehensive immigration bill.

Via: Washington Examiner

Continue Reading.....

Obama's Failed 2012 Campaign Strategy

It was all going so perfectly for President Barack Obama.

He had painted his opponent, former Gov. Mitt Romney, as an out-of-touch rich guy with elevators for his wife's multiple Cadillacs and bank accounts throughout the Caribbean. Romney had no plan—or at least none he was willing to discuss with voters. He was bellicose and callow on foreign policy. And The Groups—women, Hispanics, African-Americans, union members, public employees— were lined up so solidly behind the president he absolutely could not lose.

And then, on October 3 at about 9:04 p.m., Romney took to the stage in Denver and reset the campaign. He was not out of touch at all. He made sense. He had solid ideas, a sense of hope. He connected. He laughed. He seemed confident. The president looked down at his notes. He came across as not wanting to be there. He offered little reason to give him another term.

[See a collection of political cartoons on the 2012 campaign.]

That night was followed closely by Vice President Joe Biden's neighing, braying debate performance—an effort only a deeply partisan Democrat could've loved. Then there was the Al Smith Dinner, where Romney seemed uncommonly gracious, sensible, and downright funny.

The cascade of cognitive dissonance these Romney appearances unleashed on the nation were like the waves slashing the coast because of Hurricane Sandy. They destroyed the landscape in their path and left something decidedly different, something Democrats now recognize as a true and serious threat to the president's re-election hopes. He can lose, and they know it.

And if Obama does, if he becomes only the sixth president in the last 100 years to lose re-election, he will have no one to blame but himself. He created a Romney so far removed from the real Romney that when voters saw the real Romney they realized they had been had. And voters don't like to be had.

[Check out our editorial cartoons on President Obama.]

Via US News

Continue Reading...

Unreal: Florida Passes Plan For Racially-Based Academic Goals, Asian Students Expected To Be Top Performers, Blacks Last…

Palm Beach, Fla. (CBS TAMPA) – The Florida State Board of Education passed a plan that sets goals for students in math and reading based upon their race.

On Tuesday, the board passed a revised strategic plan that says that by 2018, it wants 90 percent of Asian students, 88 percent of white students, 81 percent of Hispanics and 74 percent of black students to be reading at or above grade level. For math, the goals are 92 percent of Asian kids to be proficient, whites at 86 percent, Hispanics at 80 percent and blacks at 74 percent. It also measures by other groupings, such as poverty and disabilities, reported the Palm Beach Post.

The plan has infuriated many community activists in Palm Beach County and across the state.

“To expect less from one demographic and more from another is just a little off-base,” Juan Lopez, magnet coordinator at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach, told the Palm Beach Post.

JFK Middle has a black student population of about 88 percent.

“Our kids, although they come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, they still have the ability to learn,” Lopez said. “To dumb down the expectations for one group, that seems a little unfair.”

Others in the community agreed with Lopez’s assessment. But the Florida Department of Education said the goals recognize that not every group is starting from the same point and are meant to be ambitious but realistic.

As an example, the percentage of white students scoring at or above grade level (as measured by whether they scored a 3 or higher on the reading FCAT) was 69 percent in 2011-2012, according to the state. For black students, it was 38 percent, and for Hispanics, it was 53 percent.

In addition, State Board of Education Chairwoman Kathleen Shanahan said that setting goals for different subgroups was needed to comply with terms of a waiver that Florida and 32 other states have from some provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. These waivers were used to make the states independent from some federal regulations.

Via: CBS News

Continue Reading...

GOP CONVENTION TO FEATURE MORE HIGH-PROFILE HISPANICS THAN DNC

Republicans will feature five prominent Hispanics -- Govs. Susana Martinez (NM), Brian Sandoval (NV), Luis Fortuno (Puerto Rico), Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), and Senate candidate Ted Cruz (TX) -- in their national convention's primetime lineup. 

Yet, the mainstream media continues to paint Republicans as a party that needs to be more inclusive while ignoring the lack of prominent national Democrats who are Hispanic. 

If Cruz wins the Texas Senate seat, as he is expected to do, Republicans will have five Hispanic senators and governors. And three of the states (New Mexico, Nevada, Florida) that have elected Hispanic Republicans to high-profile posts are crucial swing states with a significant number of Hispanic voters. 

Cruz will be featured on Tuesday. Martinez will speak before Paul Ryan on Wednesday. And Marco Rubio will speak before Mitt Romney. 

Meanwhile, Democrats only have one Hispanic politician who has been elected to a high-profile office -- Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), who is of Cuban descent. 

Democrats often tout the importance of the Mexican vote, but there are no Democrats of Mexican descent on the national level. Two of the party’s most prominent politicians of Mexican descent -- Antonio Villaraigosa (Los Angeles, CA), who chairs the Democratic National Convention, and Julian Castro (San Antonio, Texas), who will keynote the convention -- are mayors.

Democrats often paint Republicans as anti-Hispanic and Democrats as the party of inclusion, but prominent Democrats who make these arguments are often not of Hispanic descent. And yet, the "neutral" mainstream media continues to run segments about how the GOP needs to diversify its ranks while never running any segments or that ask why a party they assume Hispanics should support en masse has failed to elect Hispanics to high-profile positions. 

When Mitt Romney addressed the National Association of Latino and Appointed Officials (NALEO) this year, he said Democrats often take the Hispanic vote for granted. And Hispanics may seriously think about what Romney said given the dearth of prominent 

Hispanic Democrats in high-profile offices.

Via: Breitbart

Continue Reading...