It's sad that a newspaper columnist has to devote a column explaining to republicans that Puerto Rico is not a foreign, socialist country.
But this is the Florida GOP we are talking about.
The same GOP where not too long ago Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite called Puerto Ricans living here "foreign citizens." She was even offered a chance to correct her statement by the newspaper after being told that they were, in fact, US citizens. Her spokesperson got back and said she stood by her statement.
Just this past week, FL GOP Chair Lew Oliver was asked why Hispanics aren't joining the GOP. (Gee, I wonder). His response:
If you like a semi-socialist government where the highest aspiration is a nice secure government job, Puerto Rico is heaven on earth, PLUS nice weather! Sadly, it is also a terrible basket case.
No, it isn't. Its not socialist. They don't have a high-rate of government jobs. And 1 in 20 people in Florida are Puerto Ricans, you idiot.
And no, Oliver has not been asked to resign. The Fl GOP is just happy he "apologized".
Pablo Pantoja, a native of Puerto Rico, was the RNC's Florida Hispanic Outreach Director. He quit last year and became a Democrat. His resignation explained it was due to all of the bigotry and intolerance he faced in his party. Florida Representative Anna Rivas Logan also switched not too long ago for the same reason.
To be fair, Rick Scott hasn't insulted Puerto Ricans directly. His campaign insults Mexicans. His policies insult all Latinos evenly.
The Florida GOP is unable to change. Unfortunately for them, Florida's electoral makeup doesn't have that problem.
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