Sen. Ensign and GOP Embrace Hispanics By Demonizing Their Kids

America's Voice Blog

Posted 01/15/09 at 08:06pm

Potential SCHIP Baby Well, he was definitely with us... before he was against us.

Just last week, The Hill quoted Senator Ensign (R-Nev.):

"Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who last year oversaw the Senate Republican campaign committee, said Republicans hashed out the need to reverse their slide in support among Hispanics. ‘It was discussed big time,' said Ensign. "We have to reach out to Hispanics. We need to go on Hispanic media much more.'"

We were impressed with this change of heart. Especially given the Senator's blatant efforts, as head of the Senate Republican campaign committee, to forge GOP victories on the backs of ugly anti-immigrant campaign slogans. Despite the spectacular failure of this strategy in 2006, the good Senator tried again in 2008-and lost big.

Well, today marked the beginning of the Senate SCHIP debate, where lawmakers decided whether to include qualified legal immigrant kids for medical care under the popular legislation. Led by Senator John Ensign (R-NV), Senate Republicans have proven yet again that their addiction to wedge politics reigns supreme.

Rather than lend a helping hand to children in need, check out this exchange between SCHIP hero Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) and Senator Ensign, via the AP:

"I believe no lawfully present child in this country should be required to wait five years before they get health care," Rockefeller said.

But Republicans said that extending health coverage to newly arrived immigrants would encourage people to come to the United States for its government benefits.

"We are giving more incentives to folks to come to the United States not just to participate in the American dream, but to get on the government dole," said Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.

"That's a gloomy way to look at human nature," Rockefeller said.

Senator Ensign, accusing hardworking immigrants whose children qualify for needed health care of coming to this country "to go on the government dole" is a slap in the face. This is yet another piece of evidence that many Republicans seem to have learned nothing from the stunning failure of immigration as a wedge issue in the last election. Even the ones who claimed to want to "reach out to Hispanics" just can't seem to break the habit of immigrant-bashing.

Here's a tip for Senator Ensign when he goes on his Hispanic outreach tour: you might want to start with not demonizing their children.

By Frank Sharry
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10-17-09 By Satu(Malaysia)

Dear Senator: I just received three E-mails that a bill was passed calledH.R.2454 American Clean Energy & Security Act if 2009. Is this true? Since leaving California four years, finding that my lovely home which I paid homeowners dues for, was overided by the US Government, stating that People having care homes would over ride our homeowners. PLus, this was not to be disclosed as a family in Laguna Beach was being sued because of just that. I don’t trust much at all. With the things being passed this last year, I must say I am terrified for my future, my families future, and every one else in America. This has been the worst year that I have ever remembered and I am 71 years old. I need to know if this Clean Energy is for real. If so, I will just about have to give my home away. It has already lost $300,000 dollars and going down fast. But, if this is true I’d rather take my loss now and move into an apartment.

PLease do not hide this information from the People of your district. By the way, don’t vote for this health care either. We are in enough debt to last us for years.

Also, I have seen no sign of the White House getting ready for Christmas. That could not happen, that there is no decorations for the holiday. Gail