Democratic Hispanic outreach: California Republicans revive Prop. 187

[Democat]

A referendum and an Assembly bill were unveiled recently by conservative Republicans, including a local assemblyman, that would deny a wide range of public benefits to those living illegally in the state.

Supporters say the efforts were spurred by an effort from state Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, to grant illegal immigrants state driver's licenses. Cedillo and other Latinos say the Republican efforts are remnants of Proposition 187, a 1994 ballot initiative that denied illegal immigrants all public benefits.

Prop. 187 was declared unconstitutional, in part because it denied people federally mandated benefits. The new referendum narrows its efforts to state-funded benefits, such as driver's licenses and lower, in-state college tuition fees.

Supporters are attempting to qualify the initiative for the March 2006 ballot.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/23/news/top_stories/20_50_348_22_04.txt

Even though the Republicans are working on this for 2006, Democrats should make every Hispanic in America aware of this move by the right wing. The original Prop 187 battle basically turned into a racist fight where Republicans blamed "Mexicans" for everything wrong in America. The Prop 187 debate was not just about illegal immigrants, it became a Republican race war rallying cry for many on the right.

Democrats need to remind Hispanics that Republicans are only kissing their asses in 2004 for votes, not because they actually plan to do a thing for them. In fact, many of the same people begging for Hispanic votes on the right are closet racists who call Mexicans "illegals" no matter if they are here legally or not.

[Piperay]

1. Stupid repukes never learn...

it was Prop. 187 that turned California into a "true blue state" and another Prop. on that order is going to insure that it stays that way, this will be good news for the Democratic Party.

[Democat]

2. Democrats need to make sure people know about this before November

Even though this will not be a part of this election, Hispanic voters need to be informed of this move by the Republicans now, so it can help them make up their mind about the Republican party going into November.