Union Expert Linda Chavez (GNOC)
January 28, 2010, 6:00pm
Summary:
On Thursday night at Seven4One in Laguna Beach the conversation was electric, as union expert, Linda Chavez presented her thoughts on our current economic state, the effects of immigration on America, and the education system as a whole.
With a 10% unemployment rate, the job market has not been enticing to immigrants. The security wall built during the Bush administration has effectively kept immigrants out of the United States but it has also inevitably kept immigrants in, for fear of never being able to return to America.
Interestingly, Chavez explained that 40-50% of Latinos have consistently voted Republican since Reagan. “The idea that Latinos will not assimilate is empirically false and if we plan to bring in more immigrants we need more pro-assimilation policies.”
She explained how numbers keep dropping in the housing market and banks are now tight-fisted as loans are becoming more difficult to get approved due to the fact that banks got burned and became the scapegoat of our fiscal crisis. She commented on the election of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts and hoped that this election would communicate to Congress that people are not happy, but instead tax increases are being pushed on the banks and the rich, while Obama refuses to back down on healthcare. Members were able to ask focused questions during this intimate roundtable discussion while drinks and appetizers were served.
Chavez said that we need more Michele Rhees in education. Rhee is transforming education by buying out tenure teachers with bonuses at the cost of their job security. This will subject them to standardized rating. “Education can only be changed on a local level, not in Washington… its going to take visionaries.”
Chavez’s bold ideas and opinions while she served as Staff Director of the Civil Rights Commission earned her a 50% budget cut, which is a fact she is proud of. Sadly in Congress, “your power is determined by the number in your entourage, how many are under you, and the size of your budget.” Power limits are hard to control so if Republicans reemerge as the majority party, things are likely to be good for a few years until the party becomes lazy. When asked what Chavez thought Gen Next members should do, her charge was for members to get involved and elect people who have fresh ideas and desire to accomplish something.
We would like to thank Linda Chavez for joining Gen Next and imparting her wisdom and insight Also, thanks to Seven4One for their hospitality and enjoyable accommodations.