Monday, February 11, 2008

 

Media Hype and Immigration Questions for the Candidates

 

By Carlos Luken

 

According to the mainstream media, last Tuesday’s 24 state presidential primary across the United States was scheduled to be the political answer to the Super Bowl. The primary date was even called “Super Tuesday,” and among other important matters it was supposed to define who the Democratic and Republican Party presidential contenders would be next November.

 

Some think that Super Tuesday’s hype overshadowed the Super Bowl, and certainly no one can argue that the media squeezed Tuesday’s mega-primary for as much mileage (and PAC advertising dollars) as they could get from both parties. It was at best politically patronizing, and at worst overkill with a dull ending.

 

As to results, nobody compares the Super Bowl’s super-upset to the “oh-hum nothing happened” primary outcome.

 

But the media’s disproportionate hype managed, involuntarily or intentionally, to raise over-optimistic expectations in large population segments.

 

One of their main targets was the Latino community.

 

As the campaign advanced to Super Tuesday, it was reported that both Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would support soft measures ultimately favoring immigration. It was also stated that Republican frontrunner John McCain had included Juan Hernandez (a Mexican cabinet official during the Vicente Fox administration) on his campaign staff as a special consultant for Latino affairs, and to supposedly boost Hispanic support.

 

As well, it was speculated that the immigration problem would finally be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, once George W. Bush leaves office. With the media using every Latino activist and Hispanic correspondent in the United States and Latin America to opine, pundits speculated that whoever the new president might be, he or she will almost immediately solve the immigration crisis.

 

Taking note, Latino activists took to the streets and in a door to door last ditch effort managed to rouse and take Hispanic voters to the polls. The efforts were well rewarded as Clinton and McCain won most Hispanic districts.

 

As I have noted, the immigration “issue” is not an issue – it’s a calamity! Solving it requires fundamental and comprehensive measures. If these are not taken, or are taken in the condescending manner with which vote-seeking candidates address the subject, there will be no progress and the millions of encouraged Latino voters will, disappointedly, once again disappear from the voting ranks.

 

It will also be a blow to U.S. democratic credibility, as the nation’s largest growing minority may silently refuse to participate in future electoral processes.

 

The Latino community is particularly unified, and for the most part it reacts in defensive harmony when threatened. Culturally it also feels dishonored when deceived. By making false promises, candidates with the help of the media have steadily misled this community and they are about to do irreparable harm.

 

The immigration Issue is massive, and too it is not quantified. No serious federal, state or county agency can give an accurate estimate as to its size. According to the side the spokesperson is on, the figure ranges from 12 to 25 million people. Everybody agrees that it grows every year, but how much is again unknown. Obviously the walls (metal, virtual or human) aren’t working, but neither are the legal system or government policies.

 

If U.S. citizens in general, and the Latino community in particular, are to be treated with respect and not as fodder for election campaigns, all candidates must unambiguously state their position on how to address immigration realistically and truthfully, and provide answers to many unresolved questions.

 

I would put these ten questions to them:

 

1.     How many legal, and how many illegal immigrants are there in this country; what are your information sources?

2.     How many more come, or are brought in, yearly?

3.     Will you take measures to stop the entry? What will they be?

4.     Will you grant or deny amnesty to illegal aliens? Under what terms and conditions?

5.     Will you implement a temporary or permanent worker program? Under what terms?

6.     Will you punish, fine and jail persons smuggling and/or hiring illegal immigrants?

7.     Do you plan to amend the Constitution and deny citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to illegal parents?

8.     Will you deny healthcare to illegal immigrants and their families?

9.     Will you deport immigrants who commit crimes in the U.S.?

10.  Will you allow aliens to serve in the military and grant them amnesty afterwards?

 

The immigration “debate” is phony. Candidates offer good intentions and pipe dreams based on polls and half-truths, and it’s time for candidates to put up or shut up.

 

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Carlos Luken, a MexiData.info columnist, is a Mexico-based businessman and consultant.  He can be reached via e-mail at ilcmex@yahoo.com.