Truth or Dare

“Always tell the truth. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Mark Twain

Arizona is waiting for an important primary election on Tuesday. I don’t know about you but I have felt a little used and abused in the old Grand Canyon State over the past several months. So much hatred, backbiting, fear and lying has been on the daily menu. It takes a lot of courage for all of us not to get discouraged and keep fighting for change. The attack that started with the passage of SB1070 gave us something real to unite against and raise our voices together in protest. With the elections looming on the horizon I kept looking for someone who would valiantly stand up and tell the truth. . What I saw instead were Democrats playing it safe waiting to see what their “voting” base reflected before speaking out on issues like SB1070. John McCain and his rhetoric I expected. I knew he would throw Latino voters under the bus quickly and expect us to forget easily. Terry Goddard really surprised me by the way he kept watching the wind and staying safe. Will he make a better Governor than Jan Brewer? Of course! I am I disappointed? Yes! I knew that Raul Grijalva would never disappoint. He is a true statesmen and a brave man.

Prove You're Worth the Latino Vote!

cc photo courtesy of Steve Rhodes on Flickr

In 1992, I helped lead a grassroots movement that proved the power of the youth vote. We proved, through Clinton's election, that grassroots organizing with youth could get a President elected. During Obama's campaign, the same strategy was used to get students voting and to try and win the Latino vote. It worked. However, with the 2010 election season running full speed, candidates seem to have forgotten how important the Latino vote is to their success. We are hoping to change that.