Idea a push for immigration reform, other causes
With the political powers that the Republican and Democratic parties hold, many Latino voters believe neither party has done enough to represent and support Hispanic communities.
According to reports, some Latino activists are considering forming a Tequila Party, based on the inspiration of the Tea Party to represent the rising voting power of Hispanics in the United Sates and to push for immigration reform the Democrats have neglected to succeed in.
Fernando Romero, president of Nevada’s Hispanics in Politics stated that the “Tequila Party” is just an idea says “I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but there’s talk,” he told the Las Vegas Sun.
If immigration reform gets pushed back again next year, the creation of an independent Latino party may come sooner rather than later. “It would definitely induce us,” Romero said. “We would have to do something at that point to get ready for 2012.”
Hispanics have proved to be a powerful political force in Nevada and nationally. They were instrumental in electing President Barack Obama and are credited with saving Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s re-election this month. In Nevada, Latinos accounted for 15 percent of voters in 2008 and a record 16 percent in this month’s midterm elections.
Despite, or perhaps because of, their robust turnout, many Latinos have become disillusioned with party politics. Their efforts haven’t led to the changes in policy they would like to see.
Hispanic Republicans complain that party officials court their vote but often advocate policies that marginalize the community.
