Thread: Here to Stay: The Priorities of Latino Leaders

Hispanics are on the rise in the United States, both in numbers and influence, and are projected to become the nation's largest minority group by 2010. Immigrant groups -- from the Irish, to European Jews, to Germans to Cubans -- have historically sought to weigh-in when America's foreign policy touched their former homelands. What can the nation expect from its Latino leaders?
Public Agenda and the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute joined together in a survey of 454 Hispanic leaders, drawn from a variety of key institutions, to find out the issues that absorb them and the values that drive them. Just how concerned and active are they regarding U.S.-Latin American relations? Are the interests of Latino leaders so tied to their countries of origin that they are blinded to U.S. interests or do they have a perspective that is more subtle? Is there a single "Hispanic" perspective toward Latin America or are the views of Latinos as disparate as the nations they come from?

Our study, Here to Stay, found Hispanic leaders focus on domestic issues and the well-being of the U.S. Latino community first, but they also believe that the U.S. neglects its own critical interests in Latin America. When the U.S. is involved in Latin American affairs, Latino leaders said the government should promote trade and democracy in concert with other countries, and avoid military intervention.

Finding One: Hispanic leaders expect the political and economic influence of their community to grow. But they are wary of a potential backlash in the U.S.
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic1.htm

Finding Two: Latino leaders are far more concerned about the well-being of the Hispanic community within the U.S. than they are about the state of U.S.-Latin American relations. Domestic issues – education, race relations, and economic growth -- are their top priorities
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic2.htm

Finding Three: Hispanic leaders maintain strong bonds with Latin America. Most believe Hispanics should be more active regarding U.S. policy toward Latin America, but also believe their agenda should not contradict official U.S. policy.
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic3.htm

Finding Four: Latino leaders believe U.S. policy toward Latin America should focus upon trade and development, and promoting democracy and human rights.
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic4.htm

Finding Five: The priorities of Latino leaders differ from those of the general public but match those of U.S. leaders overall.
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic5.htm

Finding Six: Latino leaders consistently prefer that the U.S. respond to regional crises with economic and political measures in cooperation with other countries in the area, rather than through military intervention.

http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic6.htm

Finding Seven: Most Latino leaders are focused on Latin America, and tend to believe Mexico is more important to U.S. interests than other areas of the world such as Western Europe or Asia.
http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/hi ... panic7.htm

New Survey Explores Foreign and Domestic Policy Priorities of U.S. Latino Leaders
http://www.publicagenda.org/press/press ... 0to%20Stay

Doesn't give a very bright future. And here they were worried about what would happen if a WOMAN or a Black person got into office. HA! These were the least of problems considering this new group!!