Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA) says Republicans shouldn't bother trying to pass immigration reform because it won't win them any votes. And I may actually agree with that sentiment because there's a lot more to garnering votes than simply making symbolic gestures with a wink and a nod, but according to Barletta, they won't win any votes because Latinos are the takers and Republicans are the makers.
"I hope politics is not at the root of why we're rushing to pass a bill. Anyone who believes that they're going to win over the Latino vote is grossly mistaken," Barletta said, according to the Morning Call. "The majority that are here illegally are low-skilled or may not even have a high school diploma. The Republican Party is not going to compete over who can give more social programs out. They will become Democrats because of the social programs they’ll depend on."
This is the real reason Republicans are losing minorities. It goes beyond policy to racial contempt. And even if modest immigration reform passes congress, that alone will not sway large sections of voters. Your rhetoric has to change too. You can't continue treating people like they are your burden.
In other Republican Outreach related news -- Arkansas Republicans introduced a bill yesterday to jail doctors who perform abortions.
A proposed abortion bill introduced in Arkansas this week would ban all abortion services after a fetal heartbeat is detected — which can occur as early as six weeks, before some women even realize they’re pregnant — and charge doctors who perform abortions after that arbitrary cut-off with a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
No word on whether or not any of the bill's 18 co-sponsors were wearing a smile when they signed on the dotted line.