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It is time for a change. That is why the Democrats should elect a Hispanic as their candidate for the white house.
As usual, Mario is digging for an angle to dis any democrat. Mario didn't mention the "rest of the story" carried in the Wednesday Albuquerque Journal that Bingaman is considered a leader on issues of concern to the hispanic community and that's why he was appointed chair (but Mario wouldn't want to tell you that).
from the Journal:
"Sen. Ken Salazar, a freshman Colorado Democrat and the only Hispanic Democrat in the Senate, also serves on the task force.
Bingaman said he is currently pushing several bills that are central to the Hispanic agenda.
The Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act, which Bingaman wrote, would encourage Hispanics to pursue baccalaureate degrees. The measure would also provide more funding to pay for graduate degrees for Hispanics.
Bingaman also has written legislation to reduce the number of uninsured and pregnant women across the country. Hispanic communities, including those in New Mexico, have a much higher rate of uninsured than the rest of the U.S. population.
Bingaman's legislation would extend health care to children though the state Children's Health Insurance Program."
I was surprised to see that Mr. Burgos’s blog lists him as a fan of Garcia-Marquez’s magical realism, since his posting entitled “Hispanic Snub” was neither magical nor real.
Senator Salazar is proud of his long association and friendship with Jeff Bingaman. Senator Bingaman has been a champion for all people, including New Mexico’s and America’s Hispanic Community. He is proud to support Sen. Bingaman in all of his efforts. Unfounded, political assaults like this one smack of tokenism and constitute character assassination.
It is also quite clear that Mr. Burgos does not understand how Hispanics operate within our party. He seems to think that Hispanics are not leaders in the Democratic Party. The fact remains that Hispanics are leaders in the Democratic party, and we are proud to have such a good friend in Jeff Bingaman.
Elisa Montoya
Legislative Counsel
United States Senator Ken Salazar
Ms. Montoya is right. I'm a fan of Garcia-Marquez's magical realism -- in works of fiction. However, when it comes to the real world, I prefer cultural respect.
After all, the task force is not named the "Democratic Caucasion Task Force for the Hispanic Agenda." The presumption that non-Hispanics are better suited to lead this group is culturally insensitive at best.
Tomas' response regarding a "Hispanic agenda" is equally misguided. He paints a picture that the majority of Hispanics are undereducated and sexually irresponsible individuals in need of governmental parenting.
The level of ethnocentricity being demonstrated by the Democrats in the US Senate is reminiscent of the views early-American settlers took of Native Americans.
Didn't we have this conversation a month ago. The democrats seem to believe that hispanics need government to take care of them. The hispanic republicans believe that government is necessary but not important to getting a head in this world.
How come Jeff did not support a number of hispanic judge appointees last year?
Just asking?
Just asking? Here's your answer: Jeff supported all of Bush's hispanic nominees to the bench(including one from New Mexico) except Miguel Estrada.
That's contrary to your rhetoric that Jeff did not support "a number" of hispanic nominees.
Bingaman has supported over 95% of all of Bush's judges. But Republicans don't want you to know that.
Why didn't he support Estada? Because he didn't have the guts to buck the leadership. The leadership that is no longer there.
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