by Robert Enriquez, GOP candidate for Secretary of State
A focused silence dominates the Chicago Hispanic media. It is surprising too, since everyone knows the political processes in Illinois have evolved as they excitedly declare that, “Hispanics everywhere are participating in greater numbers.” Going all the way back to 1818, not one of the 37 Secretaries of State of Illinois has been a Hispanic so one would think that an endorsed major party Hispanic to that office would cause a stir. Many people remember when Michael Howlett ran for, and became the 33rd, Illinois Secretary of State. The Irish media retold with pride he was the son of immigrants. To say nothing of how the African American media reacted to the arrival of our incumbent Secretary of State. These media outlets were delighted, and who can blame them?
Born in Honduras, I started working immediately after arriving in the US at age 13 detasseling corn in the fields of Illinois. From that day forward, I worked cleaning office buildings, cutting lawns, plowing snow, car part deliveries or laboring in the gritty steel mills of the Cleveland flats, to name just a few. I worked through college for my undergraduate degree, as well as an MBA, and proudly served as a US Marine during years when service in the military was not popular among my contemporaries. All the while, I listened to the Hispanic media’s “bursting pride” in the growth of Hispanic participation. Looking back now, perhaps their joy was dollar-driven, a simple reaction to increasing media sales, and nothing more.
Today, I am a family man, small business owner and serve as an Illinois Human Rights Commissioner defending the rights of those for whom our system of checks and balances has failed – including, of course, many of the Hispanic media’s overlooked constituency. A political outsider, I believe both sides of the aisle would like to see me prevail against a 12-year incumbent that has effectively done nothing for Illinois Hispanics. I am equally sure many would prefer to see my opponent prevail; particularly a nefarious Chicago Machine with tentacles reaching everywhere, including the media.
There are many thousands of stories much the same as mine in Illinois; all one has to do is look around to see successful descendants of Poles, Jews, Hispanics, etc.; persons who by din of their honest sweat are carving out a piece of the American dream for their families. Even so, in 2010, there is this: for the first time ever a Latino immigrant is running for Illinois Secretary of State.
So where is the Illinois Hispanic media? Perhaps their silence is because I am a proud, life-long, Republican. Alternatively, could it be that it is because I will put an end to pay-to-play at the Secretary of State’s office? I say proud with supreme confidence because we have had two exemplary Republican Presidents from Illinois: Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. What a fine tradition of family, freedom, lower taxes, government accountability and fiscal responsibility for any Hispanic to follow – especially in a state that needs these traits now more than ever. Never mind that Lincoln (the great emancipator) and Reagan (the small business champion) achieved incredible things for Americans everywhere, including Hispanics. They are Republicans and that, as they say, is that.
One begins to visualize some in the Hispanic media of Chicago remain silent because they are indebted to the Democratic machine – even though by servicing that obligation, harm visits the very community to which they advertise and sell billions of dollars in products. In one of many inconsistencies, my Democratic opponent employs 2% Hispanics after 12 years in office, in an 18% Hispanic state. Since we all pay our fees equally, this cannot be good news, particularly for the Chicago Hispanic media.
Should the Chicago Hispanic media persist in their silence up to the elections, I feel certain Democrats will, post-November, simply carry on with their inexorable disregard for Hispanic communities, schools and social programs everywhere. Any contrary forecast by the media would be fantasy to jazz the Hispanic vote. They will possess little moral ground from which to complain about Party representation.
Their lamentations of political neglect of Hispanics will muster perhaps only an afterthought that it is just a ploy to stir sales.
