GOP Group Demands Sheriff Arpaio Resign and Leave GOP
by Bob Quasius, Sr. on Jan. 04, 2012, under Bob's Corner(written by Bob Quasius)
GOP Group Demands Sheriff Arpaio Resign and Leave GOP
For Immediate Release 13 December 2011
Phoenix, Arizona – Sheriff Joe Arpaio is actively campaigning for presidential candidate Rick Perry and his own reelection, and other activities not related to fighting crime in Maricopa County, such as investigating President Obama’s birth certificate.
Meanwhile the wheels are falling off the wagon at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), as shown by the lack of investigation of at least 400 serious sex crime cases, many involving child rape. Sheriff Arpaio has diverted resources from critical crime fighting activities such as investigating sex crimes and serving thousands of felony arrest warrants, to immigration sweeps and prosecution of his critics. The Board of Supervisors estimates up to $100 million was improperly diverted by Arpaio.
As a direct result of Arpaio’s misplaced priorities, violent crime has soared by 57% during the last ten years, while falling elsewhere in Arizona. The MCSO is the subject of massive lawsuits related to malicious prosecutions of Arpaio critics, wrongful deaths, federal investigations into abuse of power by Arpaio, and a class action racial profiling lawsuit.
Sheriff Arpaio and the MCSO has become America’s poster child for why state and local police should not become heavily involved in immigration enforcement. A recent report by the Goldwater Institute documents misplaced priorities and improperly cleared criminal cases. Arpaio’s incompetence and misplaced priorities effectively provides amnesty to violent criminals including child rapists!
We demand that Sheriff Arpaio immediately resign and apologize to the sex abuse victims, the people of Maricopa County for his abject failure to protect them, and to thousands of Hispanics, who were victims of racial profiling. A new sheriff is needed who will transform the MCSO into a professionally led department that prioritizes crime fighting and community policing, rather than grandstanding for media exposure, persecuting critics, and immigration sweeps of Hispanic neighborhoods, which terrorize these communities and undermine community policing. There is already one qualified candidate in the race, and with Arpaio out of the race more qualified candidates will likely emerge.
Sheriff Arpaio has disgraced his office and the Republican Party, and severely polarized Arizona into two camps, divided over the immigration issue. If Sheriff Arpaio remains in the race and the Republican Party, Democrats in Arizona will rally Latinos in opposition to Arpaio, and turn Arizona Blue, perhaps for decades.
A recent PEW Research Report shows a majority of Republicans support immigration reform, contrary to the perception that Arpaio fosters with his rhetoric. The vast majority of Republicans, including most opposed to immigration reform, do not deserve the image of Republicans that Joe Arpaio and other Nativists foster.
Arpaio does not belong in the party of Lincoln. Arpaio does not respect the constitution, and he seeks massive expansion of government power over citizenry, and clearly abuses his power. For both the good of people of Arizona and the GOP, we call on Arpaio to immediately step down and leave the GOP, and clear the field for a worthy candidate to fill the job of Sheriff.
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About Us – Cafe Con Leche Republicans is a national organization of Republicans who welcome “New Americans”, defined as immigrants and descendants of recent immigrants who are going through the process of acculturation. Our mission is to make America and particularly the GOP, more welcoming to “New Immigrants” through political activism, “in-reach” and education within the Republican Party, and lobbying government to adopt more immigrant friendly policies. We also seek to bring more conservative and moderate “New Americans” to the Republican Party. This combination of efforts will strengthen the Republican Party, and lead more Republicans to embrace more welcoming policies for immigrants and their families. Cafe Con Leche Republicans has chapters in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
