Why Latinos should vote Tea Party

Martha Montelongo
Writer and radio commentator
OC Register Oct 26, 2010
Story Highlights:  On one side are appeals to victimhood and big government; on the other side is liberty and entrepreneurship. Latinos need more of the latter.

The firestorm ignited by Robert Deposada’s Latinos for Change ads blipped off the news cycles in less than three days. The ads urged Latinos not to vote.

But Democrats have seized on the incident as a hammer to convince Latino voters it is a Republican ploy to suppress their vote and undermine their power to decide this election.

First, I find offensive the implied assertion – by “Latino leaders” and the Univision executives – that Latino TV viewers must be protected from hearing or viewing misguided political campaign messages urging them not to vote. They suggest Latinos are too helpless to discern matters for themselves. And we are to presume these self-appointed protectors are benevolent and above reproach for their move to shield their audience.

Deposada’s message to Latinos was foolish, even if the claims he makes are true. He said Latinos are taken for granted and played by the Democrats but disrespected and denigrated by a growing chorus of Republicans who voice anti-Hispanic, anti-immigrant vitriol. Republicans don’t sound like they want to be friends.

I understand Deposada’s frustration; however, being single-issue minded when speaking to Latinos also betrays Latinos. More important issues affect Latinos: unemployment, rising taxes, a poor economy, failing public education, dramatic increases in the costs of living, health care, food, energy, bankrupt local governments, and a public employee pension tsunami. Click here to read the article.


About Martha Montelongo

Martha Montelongo, Host of Gadfly Radio with Cal Watch Dog on LATalkRadio.com, Tuesday nights at 8 PM PT. Spends her time between Santa Cruz and So California.