Hispanic Influence in the 2008 Presidential Race
Constituency could play key role in 2008 presidential
race
After Brazil and Mexico, the United States is the country with the largest Hispanic/Latino population in the whole world. As of 2007, the United States had a documented Hispanic population exceeding 45.5 million. Contrary to popular belief, most of this growth has come from Hispanic children being born in the United States and not from immigration.
Visionaries capable of moving beyond current emotional political debates about immigration realize that positive engagement with the expanding Hispanic population offers them the ability to expand their business interests and harvest great personal and business opportunities both in the United States and Latin America. By 2050. the Hispanic population will exceed 25% of the U.S. population. Hispanic businesses continue to record the highest rate of U.S. business growth. California (Los Angeles County) and Texas (Harris County) top the charts for the highest Hispanic population with the majority of them being of Mexican origin. Southern states account for the highest percentage increase of Hispanic growth. The median age for Hispanics is 27.
So what are most Hispanics concerned about and in what order as presidential candidates try to woo them? Here are the top five:
1. Economy and jobs
The downturn of employment in the construction industry has had a profound impact on Hispanic families. The unemployment rate for Hispanics in the United States was 6.5%. in the first quarter of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, these statistics may not paint a true picture as many Hispanics are self-employed and do not qualify or apply for unemployment insurance. Additionally, many Hispanics will first go to family or friends when in need.
2. Immigration reform
A majority of Hispanics in the United States are feeling a range of negative effects from increased heated public debates on illegal immigration, and stepped up law enforcement measures.These effects include increased difficulty in obtaining work or housing, or the likelihood of Hispanics being asked to produce documents to prove their legal status. The majority of Hispanics in a fall 2007 Pew Hispanic Center survey say that the harsh anti-immigrant attitudes by conservative members of the Republican Party and the failure of Congress to enact immigration reform have made life more difficult for them.
3. Health care
Hispanics have the lowest rates of health insurance coverage. While they are generally healthier than the white or black population, because of a poorer diet they are becoming nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes and other infectious diseases as non-Hispanic whites.Hispanics often work for employers who do not provide coverage, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
4. Education
The Hispanic dropout rate is twice as high as the dropout rate for comparable non-Hispanic whites. In Texas, more than half of Hispanic students fail to graduate from high school. Many teachers attribute the high dropout rates to government imposed standardized testing, which they claim does little to meet the actual needs of students, especially those who are not English proficient. Additionally, Hispanic parents also need to become more involved in their children’s education. Current high dropout rates will have a profound negative impact on future national security and economic stability, especially considering that these same students will become a sizable portion of the taxpayer base that will be needed to help support the aging baby boomers, according to a Census Bureau report, “Hispanic Youth Dropping Out of U.S. Schools: Measuring the Challenge.”
5. Terrorism and national security
Most Hispanics originate from countries where corrupt governments and the rich oppress the poor, life is a constant struggle, and tomorrow offers no guarantees. Therefore in comparison to hunger, and other poverty-related issues, terrorists are just another problem to deal with.
Our two presidential candidates must seek the Hispanic vote if they are serious about winning in November.
The Hispanic vote by itself still doesn’t have tremendous power in the United States, but it could be a spoiler as a swing vote, and both candidates seem to be courting this important voting constituency.
Robert Xaiver Chavez
CHAVEZ, based in Dallas, does businessconsultant work onHispanic issues.
After Brazil and Mexico, the United States is the country with the largest Hispanic/Latino population in the whole world. As of 2007, the United States had a documented Hispanic population exceeding 45.5 million. Contrary to popular belief, most of this growth has come from Hispanic children being born in the United States and not from immigration.
Visionaries capable of moving beyond current emotional political debates about immigration realize that positive engagement with the expanding Hispanic population offers them the ability to expand their business interests and harvest great personal and business opportunities both in the United States and Latin America. By 2050. the Hispanic population will exceed 25% of the U.S. population. Hispanic businesses continue to record the highest rate of U.S. business growth. California (Los Angeles County) and Texas (Harris County) top the charts for the highest Hispanic population with the majority of them being of Mexican origin. Southern states account for the highest percentage increase of Hispanic growth. The median age for Hispanics is 27.
So what are most Hispanics concerned about and in what order as presidential candidates try to woo them? Here are the top five:
1. Economy and jobs
The downturn of employment in the construction industry has had a profound impact on Hispanic families. The unemployment rate for Hispanics in the United States was 6.5%. in the first quarter of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, these statistics may not paint a true picture as many Hispanics are self-employed and do not qualify or apply for unemployment insurance. Additionally, many Hispanics will first go to family or friends when in need.
2. Immigration reform
A majority of Hispanics in the United States are feeling a range of negative effects from increased heated public debates on illegal immigration, and stepped up law enforcement measures.These effects include increased difficulty in obtaining work or housing, or the likelihood of Hispanics being asked to produce documents to prove their legal status. The majority of Hispanics in a fall 2007 Pew Hispanic Center survey say that the harsh anti-immigrant attitudes by conservative members of the Republican Party and the failure of Congress to enact immigration reform have made life more difficult for them.
3. Health care
Hispanics have the lowest rates of health insurance coverage. While they are generally healthier than the white or black population, because of a poorer diet they are becoming nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes and other infectious diseases as non-Hispanic whites.Hispanics often work for employers who do not provide coverage, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
4. Education
The Hispanic dropout rate is twice as high as the dropout rate for comparable non-Hispanic whites. In Texas, more than half of Hispanic students fail to graduate from high school. Many teachers attribute the high dropout rates to government imposed standardized testing, which they claim does little to meet the actual needs of students, especially those who are not English proficient. Additionally, Hispanic parents also need to become more involved in their children’s education. Current high dropout rates will have a profound negative impact on future national security and economic stability, especially considering that these same students will become a sizable portion of the taxpayer base that will be needed to help support the aging baby boomers, according to a Census Bureau report, “Hispanic Youth Dropping Out of U.S. Schools: Measuring the Challenge.”
5. Terrorism and national security
Most Hispanics originate from countries where corrupt governments and the rich oppress the poor, life is a constant struggle, and tomorrow offers no guarantees. Therefore in comparison to hunger, and other poverty-related issues, terrorists are just another problem to deal with.
Our two presidential candidates must seek the Hispanic vote if they are serious about winning in November.
The Hispanic vote by itself still doesn’t have tremendous power in the United States, but it could be a spoiler as a swing vote, and both candidates seem to be courting this important voting constituency.
Robert Xaiver Chavez
CHAVEZ, based in Dallas, does businessconsultant work onHispanic issues.