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News & Journalist Article Critiques & Opinion
By Padmananda Rama, CNN August 6th, 2011
Leader of Hispanic organization at center of sought-after voters
(CNN) - For the Rev. Sam Rodriguez, who leads a Hispanic organization that represents more than 24,000 Christian congregations, the future of American Evangelicalism is clear. "If you are an Evangelical Christian, the fastest growing demographic in the American Evangelical community is embedded in the Hispanic church," said Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference.
Rodriguez is in Houston this week preparing for a leading role in Saturday's Christian prayer, "The Response," which organizers describe as "a call to prayer." Described by Rodriguez as an answer to the country's moral crisis, it's already being viewed through the lens of the 2012 presidential election. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, considered a potential GOP presidential candidate, has endorsed the event. Rodriguez said Perry asked him several weeks ago to join as a co-chair with other evangelical leaders who will be speaking and offering prayers in Houston. The daylong gathering to be held at Reliant Stadium is expected to draw at least 8,000 participants. While Rodriguez admits there's no way to remove the planned day of prayer from 2012 politics, he said the event is not a political endorsement of any candidate. "It cannot be political. It cannot be partisan," Rodriguez said. "It needs to focus on God and humility, repentance and prayer and that's why I signed on." Rodriguez's participation is important given the millions of Hispanics who attend services in one of the many Evangelical churches that make up the NHLC. The California-based minister recognizes that both parties have been courting him, eager to reach an important political constituency. His organization has started a voter sign-up drive, called Fuerza 2011, which encourages Hispanics to vote. Yet, Rodriguez insists his role is nonpartisan. "I think my role is to speak truth to both the donkey and the elephant, to do it with integrity, to do it with civility." Republicans and Democrats alike are eager to court the Latino population he represents. According to CNN exit polls, then Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, won two-thirds of the Hispanic vote in 2008. In last year's midterm elections, Democrats won 60% of the Hispanic vote. Rodriguez said he has no intention of endorsing a political candidate. Yet he recognizes the importance his congregation will have in the upcoming election. And he's not beholden to Democrats. "I want to speak truth to the Democratic Party and say, 'You all gave us a promise in 2008 and you failed on your promise. You never passed immigration reform in the first 100 days, never passed it in the first three years of the Obama administration'," Rodriguez said. He has a similarly strong warning for Republicans, saying, "Without the Hispanic vote, the Republican Party will be a minority party for decades to come." While Rodriguez supports a legal path to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S., many of his Evangelical colleagues have a different view. Rodriguez hopes that Saturday's event will begin a conversation that gives Hispanics a greater role within the Evangelical community. "We are the fastest growing segment," Rodriguez said. "In other words we are the future of American Evangelicalism. For you to support the idea of deporting 11 million immigrants you may very well be deporting the future of American Christianity." Rodriguez said Texas is a part of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference largest chapters, which represent 4,000 churches and he expects many members to attend Saturday's "Response."
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Today is
Hispanic Numbers Matter, Yet, They Search
For Recognition and Acceptance
For any and all Hispanic U.S. Citizens, contact ASKFMB.COM to join a future that "WE CONTROL".
Hispanics & African Americans equal upwards of 80 Million of the U.S. population, if you believe the 2010 consensus, however, and additional 10 to 20 million are not accounted for. These numbers equal at least 1/3rd of the total numbers of all U.S. Citizens, and the question is, how do we translate these huge numbers into "Facts"?
The White American total numbers, if you believe the consensus, is approx. 160 million or less, and the pure white population is growing at the slowest rate, as compared to the past historical numbers, in the history of the U.S... However, the Hispanic birth rate is the fastest growing population, followed by the African Americans, followed by the "Mixed Race", then finally the caucasian Americans.
The 160 million White Americans, on a political level, is 50% Democrats & 50% Republican, and if you split the entirety of the white race of 160 million, you will find that approx. 80 million white Americans are Dems, and 80 million white Americans are Reps.
What I'm suggesting is, Hispanics & Blacks (H&Bs) 80 million plus is equal to the 80 million Democrats, and the 80 Million Republicans!!! A Historic First, which allows a race of people to actually rise.
The Total Numbers of the H&Bs is enough to create a viable 3rd Party, which means, by combining the two minority population in the U.S., our collective voice, is equal to the same degree of influence on the U.S. Political battle field, for the first time in the American History, and based on the increasing number of non whites being born yearly, H&Bs will be the majority in the next 10 to 20 years.
The Numbers Mean, H&Bs can, vote into local political offices, congress & the senate, people of our race, people who would act on the interest of H&Bs behalf. This simply states that, H&Bs no longer have to ask or beg for fair treatment, we can now vote in favor of people who will replace the racist and bigots who do not believe in equal and fair treatment of all the U.S. Citizens.
Having stated all of the facts regarding the numbers above, H&Bs cannot simply be formed as an alternative 3rd party, that focuses specifically on H&Bs, because that would only limit the possible strength of a possible 3rd party.
H&B's 3rd Party, ultimate direction and goal, will have to be designed as a completely inclusive party, that will represent the entirety of the U.S. Citizens, which opens it's doors to all who believe in equality and fair treatment for all, from the poor to the rich, because the future of this country will only survive if this melting pot accepts it's future and use it's diversity as a strength, and not as a way to create a separate but equal country.
There will always be racist, bigots, and homophobic's, but, to deny them equal treatment would be to deny the constitution itself.
Yet, the beginning has to start with the Hispanics & the Blacks, to show the current two party government that we are tired of begging, we are now demanding our respect, and we will do so with our votes.
No need to continue to be upset with our corrupt leaders who cater to the mighty dollar, because their political lives now have an expiration date. The Rich can only influence existing political leaders with their money, because a rich man can only vote once, so realize that 80 million individual votes can put people in offices who control hundreds of billions of dollars, which can blow away any one rich man.
The Answer is in our individual control, so, lets get started, so that we can put The American Party rep in the 2012 Presidential Elections.
Regarding Obama, realize that he is only one man, and more importantly, the first non white American President, but, he is still surrounded by huge number of white leaders. The President can't force congress or the senate to vote on any law or bill, so we have to put members in congress and the senate who will vote on our behalf, in support of a future American Party President. Obama stands alone, so, if we keep him in for 4 more years, we can use that time to organize and galvanize The American Party.
Our Future Is In Our Hands, Lets Stand As 1.
In My Opinion
ASMFMB
8/07/11
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