How do minority groups in Texas perceive government’s authority and influence? Is it pure hindrance as Republicans portray it? Or is it the instrument aimed to provide the help and reforms Latinos urge so much? Republicans, who are characteristically conservative, defend the idea of not too much government’s intervention in local affairs. They see Uncle Sam as “the problem” no “the solution.” Nevertheless, this central republican idea is rapidly growing irrelevant to a very relevant constituency in Texas. Hispanics do not see Washington as an obstacle but as a helper.  During the most recent elections the biggest percent of the Hispanic vote has gone to the Democratic Party. This is due in part to the belief among Latinos that the Blue Party will favor more federal programs of assistance for minority families. This idea tends to win Democrats the Hispanics vote as it is surprisingly the economic factor the main concern among Latinos and not an immigration reform. Should Republicans change their tactics?  Would that mean to betray the ideology the party has been based on? Probably; because to imagine a liberal republican is like to imagine an aggie befriending a longhorn.

However; I think the Democrats are somehow taking for granted the Hispanic vote in Texas. Democrats should recruit more Hispanic candidates because many Hispanics sense the party does not care enough about electing more Hispanic officials and having more representation in the local government. As the Latino population continues its accelerated growth in Texas there is definitely more room for the Democrats to play the field. Recent surveys show that second and third generation of U.S born Latinos tend to think more liberally and support the legalization of abortion and gay marriage to mention a few examples. As the years go by this new generation will consequently think differently; they may stick with their parents’ favorite party or they may not. It’s a matter of a few decades and hopefully the Republicans will focus more on reforms intended to support this growing ethnic group instead of blaming Washington and every “faulty federal program.”