Why do media outlets label Republican Latinos as key players in the Immigration reform dialogue? I am sick of seeing the likes of Marco Rubio (R) Florida and Raul Labrador (R) Idaho advanced as somehow representative of Latinos throughout the United States.

Not only are Rubio and Labrador not representative of the Latinos in the U.S., they certainly are not representative of the Immigrants in America. Rubio with Cuban roots and Labrador born in Puerto Rico have no idea what it’s like to suffer in the United States. I would best be represented by a white man with a good grasp on the complexity of Latino issues than two politicians that have been placed at the forefront of this Immigration debate because of their affiliation to communities that have been labeled by some as being Hispanic or Latino, such as the Cuban and Puerto Rican communities have been. Rubio and Labrador represent and understand the necessities of today’s Immigrants about as much as Black politicians understand the needs and the plight of the current Haitian or African Immigrant. Just because the pigment of their skin is identical, that doesn’t mean the modern day black politician can remember or relate to what their ancestors felt when they were brought here as Immigrant slaves in the seventeenth century.

Rubio and Labrador are so far removed from the day to day struggle of the modern Immigrant and Latino, that they couldn’t possibly understand the needs or the intricacies involved with today’s Immigrant community. That detachment and their insistence on utilizing code words floated by Republican politicians and pundits creates a credibility problem for Rubio and Labrador. Your average Latino, and most definitely today’s Immigrant doesn’t recognize Rubio or Labrador as politicians looking to serve the best interest of the Latino community.

As an Immigrant from Mexico and as an active member of the Immigrant community in Arizona, I find it truly offensive every time I see a news story referencing either of these two politicians as key players. Why does the Republican party feel a need to pick someone who at best shares the same pigmentation I do to take the lead on an issue that affects my community?

Here’s where we can separate Rubio and Labrador and define them by lack of knowledge and extreme hypocrisy. Rubio is riding the political wave, and after years of trying to blend in to Anglo communities and political mixers with a name like “Marco Rubio”, he’s willing to be labeled the key Latino of the Republican party. It’s all about political opportunism and advancement for Rubio, who I’m sure aspires to be the first Latino POTUS. Rubio’s willing to take one for the team as long as he is accepted as “one of them” in the Republican party.

As for Labrador, we can go one further. Labrador is a blatant hypocrite. After working for years as an Immigration attorney representing clients who yearn to adjust their legal status in the United States, Labrador pleads ignorance when it comes to understanding the Immigration process. What else can I deduce when Labrador utilizes rhetoric like “get at the back of the line” and his comments during the 2012 campaign in which Labrador indicated that the Republican party needed to be an inclusive party, a “party of legal immigration.”

On his congressional page he states his position in this manner:

In order for us to have real immigration reform, our top priority needs to be to first secure our nation’s borders and start enforcing the immigration laws already enacted. To do so we must give our law enforcement officials the resources they need to enforce the laws on the books and secure our borders. I also believe that undocumented immigrants must return to their country of origin and then reapply to legally come to the United States. Finally, I believe that we need a guest worker program that actually works because guest workers play an important role in the American economy and more specifically in the state of Idaho. This guest worker program will not include a pathway to citizenship or amnesty.

Why is Labrador’s hard stance on Immigration hypocritical you might ask? Well, primarily because as an Immigration attorney for 15 years, Labrador claims to have had undocumented workers as clients. One has to assume that if in fact these workers were undocumented, they either stole someone’s identity, invented a social security number or borrowed a friend or relatives identity. In any event that would mean that Labrador was assisting people he knew to be in the country unlawfully in requesting a pardon (amnesty in Republican rhetoric) from a Federal Immigration Judge. I can’t think of a more hypocritical situation, one in which you claim to want legal Immigration, yet you are part and parcel to filing paperwork for undocumented workers to request a pardon for what many call criminal behavior. Can we assume then that Labrador feels that undocumented workers that can afford to pay an attorney like him are exempt from prosecution and do not in fact have to get at the “back of the line”, wherever that may be?

Fact: The Republican party is replete with hypocrites, and Rubio and Labrador are simply part of that same system. The difference is, the rest of the party is comprised primarily of old white men that don’t hide their disdain for Immigrants, legal or otherwise, Rubio and Labrador on the other hand lend themselves to being the brown skinned snake oil salesmen for the GOP.

If I haven’t made it clear enough yet, as an Immigrant, a Latino, a U.S. Citizen, and current President of the Immigrant Advocacy Foundation, Inc., I will repeat it, Marco Rubio and Raul Labrador do not represent us.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on Rafael “Ted” Cruz (R) Texas. That’s a blog in itself.

Carlos E. Galindo is a radio talk show host & political analyst conducting radio shows in both English and Spanish on four radio stations in Arizona. Mr. Galindo is a weekly contributor to KPFK 98.7 FM Los Angeles and has appeared on CNN, Univision and Telemundo as a political analyst. Mr. Galindo is also an Op-Ed columnist on Prensa Hispana Arizona. Carlos Galindo is a founding member and President of the Immigrant Advocacy Foundation, Inc.

http://www.carlosgalindo.com

History will show that Barack Obama has been the best President the United States has ever had. Even if you disagree with that statement, you have to agree that he has modernized the office of the presidency, made bold moves that have proven successful and over all he has slowly pulled us out of a double dip recession originally entered into courtesy of Bush 43′s failed war strategies and out of control defense spending.

In any event, President Obama had an uphill battle during his first administration and his second term doesn’t seem like it will be any different. Fresh off a battle with the Republicans over the fiscal cliff, Obama has proved himself to be an astute negotiator. He has also clearly demonstrated his ability to use his power to delegate. His negotiation skills were proven by his ability to convince congress’ chief obstructionist that taxes should go up for those making over $400,000.00 and for couples making over $450,000.00. However, Obama’s ability to delegate prefaced his negotiations with John Boehner. On Morning Joe I listened to Scarborough slamming President Obama for supposedly not being able to communicate with other human beings, upset because President Obama had utilized Vice President Biden to negotiate with the hateful senior senator from Kentucky Mitch McConnell. if you recall McConnell is the same guy who in 2010 stated, “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” Sending Joe Biden to negotiate with McConnell, the minority leader in the senate was a no brainer. It was glaringly obvious by McConnell’s statement and subsequent behavior that he didn’t want to give President Obama the time of day, besides, that’s Biden’s job as Senate President. Biden approached McConnell as an ex senator, former colleague and Vice President of the United States. McConnell caved and the fiscal cliff bill flew through the senate and over to our obstructionist congress. Boehner did what he knew he needed to do after President Obama negotiated with him and the rest is history.

Time and time again President Obama has been able to overcome the hatred directed towards the first African American President. He has executed the duties of the office of the President with respect, fairness and most importantly in a manner that has always served the best interest of this country. Contrary to Republican and conservative beliefs, President Obama is not a socialist, is not a Muslim and is not hell bent on ruining this country. His love for this country is derived from his traditional upbringing based on solid American values instilled in him by not just his Mother, but his White Grandparents. His Ivy league education refined him, honed his intelligence, and prepared him to be a great leader. His respect for the laws of this country and our constitution are reflected in his careful and calculated decisions that have ultimately reshaped and greatly benefited this great country of ours.

President Obama has now selected Charles “Chuck” Hagel as his nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hagel is the ex senator from Nebraska, a highly decorated war veteran who would be the first enlisted man to lead this nation’s defense, and he’s a Republican to boot. Republicans are the first to claim a stake on patriotism, service to this country and respect for their statesmen. If that’s the case, then why is it that they’re so willing to trash a member of their own party? Republicans adamantly oppose Hagel’s confirmation and have vowed to put up a good fight. We know McCain is upset because Hagel refused to buy into McCain’s flawed presidential candidacy in which he tapped an inept and extremely ignorant politician from Wasilla Alaska as his Vice Presidential candidate. We also know that many Republicans are upset because of Hagel’s criticism of the Iraq war and his comment regarding the 2012 Republican presidential candidates, referring to each of them as being in a “race to say who would bomb Iran first.” The list goes on of “reasons” that the Republicans oppose Chuck Hagel, the reality is that the Republicans are doing what they do best, obstruct.

I think Hagel will make a fine Secretary of Defense. I also think that President Obama has been consistent by reaching out to Republicans in an effort to reach across the aisle, or should we say, extending the olive branch. However, the problem is the Republican controlled house has also been consistent in their obstructionist and selfish behavior. This is not a congress willing to do what is best for their constituents, this is a congress bound and determined on protecting the wealthiest under the guise of wanting to create jobs and protecting our children’s future. I think this is the perfect time to invoke Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and purity of its heart.”

I have a suggestion for President Obama, he should continue extending that olive branch to the Republicans, and in the other hand he should keep a sledge hammer.

Carlos E. Galindo is a radio talk show host & political analyst conducting radio shows in both English and Spanish on four radio stations in Arizona. Mr. Galindo is a weekly contributor to KPFK 98.7 FM Los Angeles and has appeared on CNN, Univision and Telemundo as a political analyst. Mr. Galindo is also an Op-Ed columnist on Prensa Hispana Arizona. Carlos Galindo is a founding member and President of the Immigrant Advocacy Foundation, Inc.

http://www.carlosgalindo.com