Many Latinos Unhappy With Political Issues

[GreenPartyVoter]

PHOENIX (AP) - A majority of U.S. Hispanics believe that political candidates are not talking about issues important to the Latino community, according to a poll released Sunday.

The survey was conducted for the National Council of La Raza, a civil rights group dedicated to promoting Hispanic issues that is holding its annual convention this weekend in Phoenix.

According to the poll, 58 percent of Hispanics feel candidates are not addressing their concerns. A third disagreed, while 8 percent were undecided.

La Raza president Raul Yzaguirre said both major political parties need to take Hispanic issues seriously.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040627/D83FJC400.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. I hope latinos will form moderate political groups now.

It would be a terrible mistake to bank on just one or two political groups to represent all latinos. You have right-wing leaning business groups and you have left-leaning activist groups which may have developed bad reputations over the years. Something in the middle which represents common latino interests and just gets out the vote until the voting numbers rise to a respectful organized group would be the way to go for the next few years.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. This is why I favor election reform. Our governing bodies do not

accurately reflect the make-up of this country in gender, race, ethnicity, or class.

And until it does, entire groups of people will continue to feel ignored by the policy makers.