This LA Times opinion left my blood boiling.

Republicans have, of course, long been divided about Latinos — split between those who “get it” and those who don’t. President Bush was the most prominent Republican who got it, though he was hardly alone. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki and others have long understood the GOP’s inherent appeal for the fastest-growing voting bloc in the country. In a national poll last month, 34% of Latinos called themselves conservative, 29% moderate and only 24% liberal.

Those who got it and those who don’t? I don’t think the GOP GETS IT. Sure, there are a few who think cheap labor is a worthy and honorable cause…but for many of us, the price is TOO high to maintain the costs of this labor.

Diverse as they can be in origin and outlook, on many issues — abortion, homosexuality, education, homeownership, small-business concerns and Iraq — Latinos tend to line up with Republicans. And though Democrats have been wooing these voters longer and have won the lifetime loyalties of many in the second and third generations, immigrants have been up for grabs — and for more than 10 years now Republicans have been making a hard run at them.

Well I would align myself with the party whose leaders endorsed my illegal entry into this country. I would also stick with the folks who are making sure I get taken care of- in housing, healthcare, welfare programs and let’s not forget- higher education.

But that scenario failed to account for the Republicans who didn’t get it — and in the last year or so these naysayers have destroyed everything Bush built. Republican hard-liners in the House refused to enact the president’s immigration reform. They passed a bill making felons of illegal immigrants, not because it was good law but merely to make a political point. They spent recent months demagoguing the immigration issue, first at a series of “field hearings” in their districts and then on the campaign trail, casting newcomers as terrorists and criminals and anyone who seemed to side with them as un-American.

Hardliners?? You mean people like me. Who did the research and who became SHOCKED at the costs being paid to support these parasites. You mean people like me, also, who are concerned with terrorists using our southern borders to enter the country. People like me, who spoke up and demanded my elected reps listen to MY CONCERNS. Not the rhetoric and bullshit of a few high and mighty GOP leaders who claimed there are jobs NO American would do. I’m an American and the illegal immigrants are NOT.
My voice should have some value.

The problem was as much about tone as substance — many Latinos are also worried about illegal immigration. But the hard-liners’ grandstanding added up, and there was no mistaking the message: Not only illegal immigrants but 30 million Latino voters heard Republicans saying, “We don’t like you.” The results were hardly surprising. Last week, Latinos voted 70% to 29% in favor of Democrats. And it could be argued that this shift is what decided the election. According to exit polls, white voters were split more or less evenly between the two parties, with Latinos, Asians and blacks making the difference on election night.

I have no problem with Latinos. Let’s be clear on that. Those who come to America, the correct way and with the proper credentials do not draw an ounce of irk from me. Those who are here with a legal alien status have my respect; those who are going to work to become US citizens also have my respect. I welcome them, with open arms and any help they need. I have NO use for those who chose the other path: Running across our borders and hiding in society yet receiving all the benefits and perks as though they are above the ones who do it right. It’s a slap in the face to those who don’t break the laws.

The issue isn’t just immigration but the way the hard-liners’ stance has been so offensive, even to Latinos who agree with them about the need for a secure border. It’s about whether you see Latinos as “us” or “them.” It’s about what kinds of innuendo you use in making your case. It’s about whether or not you’re imagining a shared future, and how constructively you’re planning for it. Republican naysayers fail on all counts. Latinos sense it. And as a consequence, most can no longer hear the GOP even on issues on which they agree with the party.

The offensive bulloney is in the eye of the beholder. Those who are offended are guilty of breaking laws AND for encouraging amnesty for the criminals. It doesn’t get much simpler than this. Us and them, in America, is almost always about THAT. Those who play by the rules and laws– and those who do not. When we have leaders changing the words and definitions on these issues, we get PISSED off. We’re not stupid.

The Latino community should do it’s part in all this as well: Stop defending those who are here illegally; stop hiring them and hold them up to a higher expectation. Assimilate the American culture- speak our language, fly our flag and appreciate everything America offers. Everyone can maintain their cultural roots and still be an American. First and foremost though- it is very wrong to encourage and accept lawbreakers.