Rush Calls Latinos "Illegal"

Not that we here at the DPNM make a point of listening to Rush Limbaugh's radio show on a regular basis, it does bear mentioning that sometimes Limbaugh's comments are worth repeating in order to show his complete lack of understanding on many major issues which impact Americans.

Rest assured, this extends to the current health care debate.

In a recorded radio show from August 21st (last Friday), Limbaugh commented that he didn't know why "Latino groups" are lobbying for health care reform if "illegal immigrants" aren't covered. (In the past, Limbaugh has referred to illegal immigrants as an "invasive species" willingly allowed to enter this country.)

Apparently, Rush has never considered that Latinos could be -- and are -- American citizens, a demographic which currently represents 15.1% of the United States' population and over 44% of New Mexico's population. And in fact, Latinos represent a rich part of our history. His baseless and ignorant statement also shows that he has clearly never visited our great State and witnessed the positive and sustained Latino impact.

In a response directed at Limbaugh, the President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Rosa Rosales issued a statement stating that Limbaugh should engage in direct dialogue with LULAC and stop spreading lies.

Limbaugh also "re-branded" the group the National Latina Institution for Reproductive Health as "the National Latina Institution for tax-payer funded abortion." This purposeful distortion of the truth is typical for Limbaugh, but further seeks to confuse and undermine actual debate regarding health care reform in this country. President Obama has as recently as this week has stated that the ban on abortions paid for by tax dollars would remain in place.

Rush Limbaugh's discounting an entire group of people by branding them as "illegal" is not only his most recent example of fearmongering, but also racially insensitive. He insults the many contributions that Latinos have made to this great nation and only further proves his ignorance regarding anyone other than himself.