G.O.P. Risking Hispanic Votes on Immigration

Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, recently gave his Republican colleagues a stern warning. "This is the first issue that, in my mind, has absolutely galvanized the Latino community in America like no other," Mr. Martinez told his fellow senators. Martinez went on to describe that the anger among Hispanics has continued even as the Senate Judiciary Committee proposed a bill this week that was not as harsh as that approved by House which cracked down on illegal immigrants. Even with the President's support of a more acceptable version of policy, from the immigrant point of view, he warned that there would be consequences for the inflamed rhetoric used by some in the immigration debate.

The New York Times carries the story and I add my commentary as an observer of the social dynamics at play in our society. My suspicion is that most people and certainly most Republicans are not aware of the effect their polarizing rhetoric is having on elements in the Hispanic community. I am not suggesting that debate, even on this emotionally charged issue, should not take place, it should. However it should be noted as Republican Senator Mel Martinez has, that their are consequences for the use of irresponsible statements made in the debate.

Why should you care representative? Your a member of the opposing party, you say. First and foremost I am an American and care deeply about the direction our country takes. Secondly, I am a believer that neither party should have a monopoly over any ethnic group. In Texas Democrats don't necessarily have the best history in their inclusion of Hispanics. I certainly want to see this improve, in both parties. The nature of man is reflected in a range of philosophical opinions and I believe it is healthy to see Hispanics included within the Republican ranks. Senator Mel Martinez is a good example. His experiences are serving to temper the argument of Republicans on the issue of immigration. Ultimately it is the competition between parties in the marketplace of ideas that will determine the course of history.

The New York Times story is about how the current debate is setting back advances made by Republicans in the Hispanic community. These statements and this article will probably anger people engaged in the debate. But I join U.S. Senator Martinez in suggesting that there is a social phenomena at work here and there is a reaction to this debate that may be unseen to some.