Hispanics Identify with GOP

WASHINGTON (News Press) November 13, 2004  - Those who are familiar with Hispanic culture should not be surprised that George W. Bush received almost half the Hispanic vote.

I believe three factors draw Hispanics to the Republican Party: their entrepreneurial spirit, family values and deep religious beliefs.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

For one thing, Hispanics most likely voted in their own self-interest, a principle at the core of the American entrepreneurial spirit. We may not like to admit it, but the United States was built upon the idea that the general interests of society are served by everyone acting in his own self-interest.

The accumulation of wealth motivates the entrepreneurial spirit that Hispanics and Americans share, creating business opportunities and jobs for all.

Hispanics are, for the most part, immigrants who escaped oppressive governments, economic deprivation and lack of opportunity. These immigrants come to the United States carrying the same entrepreneurial spirit of the early immigrants who built this nation.

When Hispanics vote, they equate a pro-business stand with the Republican Party.

FAMILY VALUES

Hispanics are known for having huge extended families and for placing family values at the top of their daily lives. Think about all the money Hispanic immigrants send to their families in Latin America. In Mexico, these remittances are the country's second source of income after oil.

Hispanics typically are not ready to accept same-sex marriages, nor do they believe in abortion. If a mother can't raise her child, the extended family will. There is no question about it. Not surprisingly, the birth rate among Hispanics is the highest in the country. Hispanics see the family values of Republicans — not Democrats — as being closer to their own.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Hispanics are considered one the most religious ethnic groups in the United States. For Hispanics, religion is not just a component of their lives but pervades their everyday living. Many of their centuries-old traditions are founded in their religious beliefs.

The Hispanic population of the United States has nearly tripled since 1980. Two thirds of Hispanics identify themselves as Catholic, which means one American Catholic in three is Hispanic.

Churches are often the first stop for recent immigrants. Even if they were not very involved in their churches in their countries of origin, they become involved when they come to the United States. Their churches keep them going through the hard times. Hispanics relate deeply religious involvement more with Republicans than Democrats.

The 44 percent Hispanic vote for George W. Bush, up nine percentage points from 2000, was probably what most surprised Democrats, who have earmarked Bush's victory as the vote of the stupid and ignorant. But by underestimating the extent to which Hispanics would respond to Bush and the Republican party, the Democrats showed their own ignorance of Hispanic culture and values.