Swing Independent Voter Group Set To Endorse Candidate Chuck Hassebrook for Nebraska Governor
Somos Independents is a voter group led by Mexican American women. Shirl Mora James is a Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer of Nebraska and is also a co-founder of our organization.
Everyone knows the immigration system is broken, and our group supports legal immigration reform. We also know that agricultural farmers of Nebraska depend and rely upon immigrant labor. In fact, according to Growing Nebraska:
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging Congress to pass immigration reform this year.
"Immigration reform is critical for the agricultural industry," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "Many farmers rely on an immigrant labor force and without reform, growers will begin to plant less labor intensive crops or go off shore.
"Simply put, either we import our labor or we import our food," said Stallman.
Agriculture is Nebraska's chief economic driver, yet, according to the New York Times, current Governor Heineman made anti-immigration his focus in his last election. Bottom line: Restrictionism and isolationism does not grow our economy. In fact, Heineman's approach is hurting Nebraska farmers and the agricultural industry.
We know that without immigrant labor, our Nation would be bankrupt. We understand the economic facts which is why we are asking Nebraska farmers to vote their pocket book on November 4, 2014, and we encourage them along with other business leaders to support Chuck.
Inquisitr Gets It Wrong on Murrieta Protests and Quoting Somos Independents
Inquisitir gets it wrong on Murrieta Protests and quoting our lawyers and/or leadership. It may also help the Inquisitir to learn how to spell "amnesty."
Ruben Salazar a California lawyer offering pro bono work to help these small refugee kids states:
"They got it wrong, we acknowledged the protestors have a limited 1st Amendment, subject to the imminent lawless exception carved out the Supreme Court. But our DOJ demand was to investigate the organizers- not the protestors! The only Murrieta protestor mentioned was Joseph Crosby Culbertson , who was seen spitting on Lupe Rivera. The rest were former and current border patrol agents, city officials, and political Tea Party candidates who all conspired to block the DHS buses and to deny the refugee children their due process rights."
51% Mexican American Chicano and Latino Voters identify as politically independent
51% is exactly where we ought to maintain. Both Parties need to understand that they cannot take advantage of our vote. Mexican-Americans make up of almost 70% of the entire Latin population pie and we are the key swing voters.
We will be paying attention to politicians in 2014 and 2016 with regard to their actions on immigration reform.
According to a 2012 USA Today/Gallup poll and POLITICO:
A slight majority of Hispanics in the country, 51 percent, identify as politically independent, according to the survey released Monday. About a third, 32 percent, consider themselves Democrats, while just 11 percent say they are Republicans.
Preparing for 2014 & 2016 Elections — Rising Independent Voters Conference Call
We are the key swing independent voters in national elections, supporting voting on the issues instead of party. Indeed independent voters are the key swing vote across the nation. I believe in putting people over party and partisan tactics, and I want to encourage other independent registered voters to participate in the below conference call. Somos Independents and their members are encouraged to participate in the below national call
.
Join Jackie Salit on a National Conference Call for Independents
We’re Just Getting Started!
Tuesday, October 15
at 8:00 PM ET
(7:00 CT, 6:00 MT, 5:00 PT)
Register for the Conference Call
Independent activists testified at the Presidents Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) hearings in Miami, Denver, Philadelphia and Cincinnati . But as Jackie Salit and Harry Kresky pointed out in The Daily Beast, “The gap between the magnitude of the problem and the narrowness of the Commission’s mandate is ridiculously wide, like opening an umbrella in the middle of a hurricane.” While the Commission made clear that they weren’t interested in hearing what independents had to say, independents are responding: We’re just getting started! Hear the latest on the upcoming call.
Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer: Texas Napolitano DACA Case Influenced By Xenophobia
A court challenge by federal immigration agents seeking to block President Barack Obama’s deferred-deportation initiative will probably succeed, a judge said.U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Dallas today put off his own decision on whether to grant the request for a preliminary injunction by 10 U.S. Immigration and Customs agents. He asked both sides to file additional arguments no later than May 6.
Announced by Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano last year, the directive gives agents the ability to defer action on people unlawfully in the U.S. if they came to the country under the age of 16, are in school or have obtained a high school diploma, haven’t been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor or multiple misdemeanors, and aren’t a threat to public safety or national security.
Shirl Mora James, President of Somos Independents who is a Civil Rights and Immigration lawyer believes the Texas case is influenced by xenophobia.
It is a special kind of xenophobia to drive lawsuits across the nation directed against mainly brown Spanish speaking immigrants, I seriously wonder if Kobach would be suing Napolitano in Texas, if the immigrants in question were blonde and blue-eyed!
My sentiments exactly.
In fact, I am waiting for media to go to the Texas “Hispanic” / Cuban Republican Senator Ted Cruz who has had family benefit from the Cuban privileged amnesty. Where is Cruz at? Just because he is of Cuban descent means nothing to me. The majority of his constituents are of Mexican descent and last time I checked — Mexican-Americans make up almost 70% of the Latino population pie.
Keep in mind that people at one point and time in our history were fighting to keep Cuban immigrant Elian Gonzalez in our Nation, but when one of our own DREAM Act kids via Texas Joaquin Luna commits suicide — those same people are nowhere to be found.
Kris Kobach has a history, too, with being affiliated to groups who have white nationalist ties to the John Tanton Network.
From the Southern Poverty Law Center on Kobach:
Nativist Lawyer Kris Kobach Plays Dumb About His Employer’s Racism
Posted in Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Latino by Heidi Beirich on February 23, 2012Anti-immigrant law drafter extraordinaire Kris Kobach continues to play dumb about the racist organization bankrolling his efforts, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and its founder John Tanton. In a piece published by Salon yesterday, Kobach, who is also the Kansas secretary of state, was quoted claiming that he is “not familiar with [Tanton’s] writings or his views.” He also said: “I have not done any legal work for any organization that expresses or supports racial discrimination, nor will I ever do so in the future. ”Really, Kris?
Kobach is “of counsel” at the Immigration Reform Law Institute, the legal arm of FAIR, which the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) lists as a hate group. The reasons are multiple: FAIR has taken money from a foundation described as “neo-Nazi”; the group has employed and put on its boards members of hate groups; and its president, Dan Stein, has said that many immigrants hate America. Stein has also attacked the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act, which ended years of racist immigration quotas, as retaliation “against Anglo-Saxon dominance.”
As to Tanton, his long list of racist comments includes questioning the “educability” of Latinos and arguing that “for European-American society and culture to persist requires a European-American majority, and a clear one at that.” Tanton has dabbled in anti-Semitism and even expressed hopes of taking a “politically incorrect” tour of Atlanta with a Holocaust denier. Tanton, who founded FAIR in 1979 and was long its principal ideologue, remains on the advisory board of FAIR today.
It’s not like these facts have been hidden from Kobach. The SPLC has been reporting on Tanton and FAIR’s extremism for more than a decade. Staff members at SPLC, including myself, have repeatedly contacted Kobach for comment about his relationship to FAIR and Tanton, most recently with a series of E-mails in 2010. At the time, Kobach told the newspaper at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he taught constitutional law, that “neither he nor members of the Immigration Reform Law Institute or Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) had been interviewed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).”
Well, he is a lawyer, and it is technically true Kobach hadn’t been interviewed. But that’s only because he refused to respond to our requests for comment. And he was just plain wrong about FAIR; I have repeatedly interviewed Dan Stein.
It seems ridiculous that Kobach would play coy like this. The fact of the matter is that many others besides SPLC have asked Kobach about his relationship to FAIR and Tanton. In a 2009 interview with The New York Times, reporter Julia Preston asked him about his work with FAIR and the SPLC’s contention that the group has ties to white nationalists. Kobach reportedly called the allegations slander and said, “I would immediately disassociate myself from any litigation that was racist in nature.” So let’s be clear here: Kobach tells Salon that he’s “not familiar” with Tanton’s views, but when he talks to the Times three years earlier, he’s familiar enough with Tanton’s views to denounce our allegations about them as slander. Hmm.
In February 2010, a reporter with the Phoenix FOX affiliate asked Kobach: “Are you troubled by any of the statements or beliefs or activities of anybody at all in FAIR?” His response: “No, I’m not.” “And,” he added, “if I encountered anyone who was in any way involved in that organization who had engaged in any kind of discrimination, I would immediately disassociate myself.”
Ah, promises, promises.
Kobach has even been pressed about his connections to FAIR by lawmakers. In a February 2010 hearing in Nebraska regarding an anti-immigrant law Kobach was pushing there, State Sen. Bill Avery asked Kobach whether he knew that the SPLC had classified his umbrella group, FAIR, as a hate group. According to immigrant rights activist Paul Olson, who was in the audience, “Kobach replied that he was indeed aware of SPLC’s classification of FAIR as a hate group—but that it was wrong.”
The connections between Kobach and Tanton run even deeper. As Politico pointed out earlier this month, a PAC run by Tanton’s wife Mary Lou has been giving Kobach money for some time. The online news source reported that Federal Election Commission files show that the U.S. Immigration Reform PAC (USIRPAC) gave Kobach $10,000 in 2003 and 2004.
And what has Kobach done for his salary at FAIR’s legal arm? He’s worked as hard as he can to throw the undocumented out of the country. Kobach wants immigrants to “self-deport” and he has gone about it by pushing legislation in several localities and states that have made life hell for legal immigrants, citizens and the undocumented alike.
The SPLC has documented the devastating results of Kobach’s activities, in terms of sowing racial divisions and bankrupting communities with legal fees, in its report, “When Mr. Kobach Comes to Town.” The latest casualty of Kobach’s efforts is Alabama, where a law he wrote, H.B. 56, was passed last year and has led to massive human rights violations as well as economic devastation. His track record is so heinous that his own state of Kansas in the last week has rebuffed his attempts to pass anti-immigrant legislation there. Kansas House Democratic Leader Paul Davis told the Lawrence paper that the more people learn about the effects of similar Kobach laws in Arizona and Alabama, “the more people shy away from the direction he wants to go.”
Let’s hope Davis is right. And maybe it’s time Kobach made good on his oft repeated promise to dissociate himself from activities and groups motivated by racism and discrimination?
VIDEO: Woman Leader Testifies/Defends Women Against Continued Republican Bigotry
Right now Republicans are attacking a woman’s right to choose life for their babies, and the big legislative showdown was today.
Shirl Mora James is a Civil Rights and Immigration lawyer in the Midwest who has committed her life to protecting a woman’s right to choose in having their babies. Shirl is also the President of a woman-led movement via SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party Movement).
The National Right to Life (NRLC) needs to take a strong stance against the Republicans like the Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and Nebraska Senator – Charlie Janssen. The NRLC cannot expect a State Chapter to do it all and they should set a national precedent warning other Republicans across the Nation. If Republicans continue to attack women, and prenatal care to US Born-Children (protected under the 14th amendment) they will continue to be viewed as bigots.
Here is the video of Shirl Mora James who made a strong statement against Republicans in Nebraska who claim to be pro-life, but are really in support of encouraging undocumented women to receive abortions rather than to support healthy U.S. born babies.
Shirl was fierce and strong in the defense of LIFE today, and you can see her give her testimony here.
The Republican Party's Continued War on "Brown" Women Who Choose To Have Their Babies
Right now Republicans are attacking a woman’s right to choose life for their babies.
Shirl Mora James is a Civil Rights and Immigration lawyer in the Midwest who has committed her life to protecting a woman’s right to choose in having their babies. Shirl is also the President of a woman-led movement via SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party Movement).
There is a big State Capitol “pro life” showdown that will take place in Nebraska. Shirl Mora James will be giving her testimony that protects our unborn U.S. citizen babies, and we will share her written testimony as soon as I receive it from her.
The Republican Party used to be known for being the party of pro life, however, several GOP lawmakers have been supporting laws that encourage women without status to get abortions instead of prenatal care.
Will the Nebraska RIGHT TO LIFE rise up to the occasion?
Will the pro life movement chastise those politicians who claim to be pro life but are hell-bent on taking away prenatal care from brown colored women?
Write them now and ask them where they stand on prenatal care for the undocumented.
Nebraska Right to Life
404 S. 11th St., PO Box 80410, Lincoln, NE 68501,
Phone: (402) 438-4802, Email: [email protected]
If the National Right to Life Organization truly believes all babies are created equal, then where is their leadership at?
We did not see the National Right to Life, nor the Arizona Right to Life leadership when GOP lawmakers were attacking the 14th amendment in Arizona. Will we see them testify in support of prenatal care for undocumented women tomorrow? Will they stand up against Nebraska Governor Heineman and Senator Charles Janssen? Will they continue to support these GOP lawmakers who are in essence encouraging abortions?
Where is the National Right to Life’s passion for the unborn? [Keep in mind that these are the same folks who endorsed Mitt Romney who profited in the million$ from abortions.]
Does their right to life movement only apply to white babies? LB518 is Janssen’s bill in an effort to take away prenatal care from brown undocumented women.
Will our Creator see how these so-called Right to Life Organizations and their leaders have squandered their talent and donated monies in fear of GOP reprisal?
Will the good Lord create another entity who are truly pro life? Not just from a womb standpoint — but protecting life from the womb to the tomb standpoint?
Meanwhile, a fierce woman like Shirl Mora James who has compassion in her heart for the disabled, the women, the minorities and the undocumented is issuing a rally cry.
Shirl Mora James states:
Tomorrow, State Capitol SHOWDOWN, Protecting our unborn U.S. citizen children of mothers without status….be there….STAND-UP and FIGHT for the BABIES! Prenatal care must be provided to them regardless of their mother’s wealth or status! This Thursday, the 21st, we are meeting at 1:00 p.m. outside of Room 1510, please feel free to provide written testimony, 10 copies of your testimony are needed to hand out to the Committee members. We stopped Janssen and the Governor last year, we will stop them again from committing civil violence to the mothers and their unborn Innocents!
If prenatal care is voted down tomorrow, then we will take this as a sign from the universe that the pro life movement is dwindling within the Republican party. The midwest is as Republican as it gets and we look forward to seeing “life” win.
Arizona’s McCain Maverick of Yesterday Attacking Nebraska’s New Maverick Chuck Hagel
Have you ever wondered why the Republican Party is attacking Chuck Hagel? Simply put … the GOP is mad at Chuck Hagel (a Republican from Nebraska) for supporting Democratic Candidate Bob Kerrey instead of the Tea Party extremist Deb Fischer. Now the Republican Party wants to punish Chuck Hagel for supporting a moderate over the Tea Party extremist.
Hagel puts aside his personal likes and dislikes in order to reach consensus and work across the aisle. He’s a realist and says what is really happening in the world. The majority of the people who are attacking him have not served in the United States Armed Forces — except for Senator John McCain who has been in office for too long. [I do believe in term limits.] That said, what we are seeing now is the “old maverick” pointing fingers at the “new maverick” via Chuck Hagel and it is quite unfortunate since they used to pal around. See what politics does? It destroys relationship, and this is precisely why we need to go back to the days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill. Reagan was able to maintain his friendship with O’Neill despite their differences … and in fact, they used to play cards together. Today’s politicians have turned ugly, and it shouldn’t take a catastrophic event to bring them together. Is that what it is going to take for unity? A catastrophic event?
Shirl Mora James, a Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer — now President of SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party which is a woman-led counter-movement to the Tea Party) nails it when she states:
The Tea Publicans are in the death throes and they are fighting to stay relevant and keep control of the Republican Party since they have hijacked the GOP. Independent thinkers such as Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater and Chuck Hagel are demonized today – such the reason why Congress cannot get anything done. They have lost their ability to compromise and reach consensus that will help the best interest of Americans. Unfortunately, the GOP is now the Party of “me” and not “us.”
Failing to recognize the value of inclusion within the GOP, the November 6, 2012, clobbering will be ongoing, if the Republican Party continues to be narcissist in nature. In order to repair their image, the Republican Party will need to welcome moderate consensus builders into the Party in order to survive in the long term.
Read more by John Avalon on the ugly side of politics below:
The Republicans’ Ugly and Shameful Chuck Hagel Filibuster
GOP senators’ obstruction of a straight vote on the defense-secretary nominee and Rand Paul’s placement of the CIA director nomination on hold amount to a cowardly and cynical political strategy that could compromise national security, says John Avlon.
Since the election, Republican talking points have reflected the fact that they need to reach out beyond their base: to be positive rather than negative; appear more reasonable, less obstructionist. READ MORE HERE >>>
Shirl Mora James, President of SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party Movement) with (D) Candidate Bob Kerrey for U.S. Senate of Nebraska and with her is (R) Chuck Hagel. Chuck, a Republican, endorsed Kerrey for U.S. Senate. The Tequila Party supported Kerrey instead of Deb Fischer – - Tea Party extremist Republican.
Mexican-American and Woman-Led Organization Responds to Sen. Marco Rubio’s SOTU Response
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2013
Mexican-American and Woman-Led Organization Responds to Sen. Marco Rubio’s SOTU Response
Senator Marco Rubio failed to heed his mother’s advice in last night’s State of the Union Address Response to the President. He had a wonderful opportunity to recapture the 1950’s Republican Party who used to embrace Mexican-Americans, Cubans, and Puerto Ricans who fought hard for their vote and their loyalty, when the Democrats – especially the Dixiecrats were demonizing all persons of color.
It is highly unfortunate that Rubio did not listen to the wise advice of his own mother instructing to be welcoming to all people including immigrants with or without status and todos los pobrecitos. Rubio did not advocate for the same treatment his own family members received when they arrived as immigrants to the United States. Under the Cuban Adjustment Act, his family members received amnesty.
It appeared that this was nothing less than an advertisement for the Republican Party – not a solution to America’s problems. The alleged Savior of the GOP now appears to be a false prophet and sniveller when he failed to suggest any type of solutions for America’s problems today.
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August 24, 1994, Cuban immigrants stranded on makeshift raft float between Florida and Cuba.
Mexican-American and Woman-Led Organization Responds to Sen. Marco Rubio’s Immigration Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2013
Mexican-American and Woman-Led Organization Responds to Sen. Marco Rubio’s Immigration Reform
Shirl Mora James, Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer now President of SOMOS INDEPENDENTS — a Mexican-American and woman-led organization believes Senator Marco Rubio of Florida ought to rescind his support for Arizona’s SB 1070 law in order to be taken seriously.
She states:
In order for Senator Marco Rubio to be the GOP immigration champion, he needs to rescind and retract all previous statements where he showed his support for Arizona’s SB 1070 law and statements made against immigrants and their children
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