It doesn’t really make sense to address points brought up my people whose judgment is clouded by hate or ignorance because, more often than not, their arguments are colored more by passion than rational thinking. Then again, the remedy for ignorance is knowledge, isn’t it? So, in that spirit, and because it’s not a question we haven’t encountered before, we’ll address a matter brought forth by someone who a letter to the editor of Delaware Online on why it is that politicians “pander” to Latinos. First, his points:

An article in the July 31 News Journal dumfounded me. It was about three of the gubernatorial candidates addressing Latino issues. I find it astounding that they felt compelled enough to address people who only make up 6.5 percent of the population. All three men laid out reforms and social programs that the other 93.5 percent of us will have to pay for with our tax dollars.

It’s more like double that, actually. But, you know. Trivialities.

I don’t understand why politicians pander to such a small group, many of whom are here illegally. It seems Latinos are going to dictate policy to the state, instead of the other way around. Instead of them assimilating to our culture, we are being forced to assimilate to them through legislative action.

I am tired of helping foot the bill for those who enter the United States illegally.

The moderator at this meeting stated, “Latinos are changing the face of America.” He was right – except the change isn’t for the better.

- Harry J. Stetser, New Castle

The problem with the way these concerns are presented is that any legitimacy they may have is clouded by such a thick layer of xenophobia and lack of willingness to understand that it’s nearly impossible to address them seriously. To say something so sweeping and unfounded as “Latinos are changing the face of America for the worse” is to automatically pull the rug out from under any argument one can make. Because that’s hatred. And hatred cannot be reasoned with.

Add to this the staunch belief that Latinos are here illegally, as opposed to “some immigrants in this country are illegal, and some of those illegal immigrants are Latino” and you have a recipe for a debate that goes nowhere very quickly. Facts can be twisted and molded to suit one’s own prejudices. They’re pliable like that. And if one wanted to paint the picture that White, law-abiding citizens standing in their picket-fence-lined yards in front of a gently flapping American flag are facing financial ruin at the hands of shiftless, immoral strange-looking critters from the South, well. It’s their prerogative, isn’t it? But here’s a little secret:

Latinos? Vote. And even Latinos in this country illegally won’t always be, and won’t have children who are barred from voting. For this 2008 presidential election, the Latino voter turnout is expected to go up by a whopping 23% over four years ago. And the Latino population is growing, steadily. So it behooves candidates to pay attention to Latino concerns - especially, especially, when “Latino issues” are portrayed as “American issues.”

Candidates let Latino minority dictate to them [Delaware Online]