March 31, 2008

Barack Obama wants national holiday for Cesar Chavez

In an absurdly obvious attempt at pandering, Barack Obama wants to make Cesar Chavez' birthday a national holiday (barackobama.com/2008/03/31/obama_calls_for_national_holid.php):

...As farmworkers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago...

Just one problem: unlike Barack Obama, Chavez opposed illegal immigration. In fact, he even called the INS on illegal aliens. If Obama were truly interested in "fair treatment and fair wages", he'd work to reduce illegal immigration. Instead, in the unlikely event he were elected president, just like Bush he'd work to keep the cheap labor flowing.

The bill to make Chavez' birthday a national holiday is being pushed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Rep. Joe Baca. Eight states celebrate the "Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning", which probably doesn't feaure his opposition to illegal immigration. Asking Obama about the conflicts between his and Chavez' positions on illegal activity would make an interesting conversation starter and Youtube video.

Posted to Politics at March 31, 2008 10:14 PM