Talk about a revolutionary way to overcome Kris Kobach’s voter ID and voter suppression laws!  Evotee is the answer to help overcome suppression in a secure and reliable way!  Technology overcomes the mundane “paper” way of registering voter and Evotee has some answers in light of our ‘silicon valley’ Information Age era.  *Speaking of Kris Kobach — Latinos will never forget how Mitt Romney received Kobach’s endorsement and political advise during his 2012 GOP primary campaign.

Huffington Post sheds light with regard to the iPad revolutionary way to Rock the Latino Vote.  The Tequila Party has been using the paper method as well as the Rock the Vote method, but here is another way to register eligible Latino voters in a secure manner.

We cannot wait for Evotee to enter key swing Presidential states.  The ground is fertile in high Hispanic populated states, and our organizers are ready to execute the iPad app in these states.

From the HuffPo:

This month, Libersky and his app will team up with the Tequila Party, an organization founded by Latinas concerned about the tenor and content of the nation’s immigration debate.

Since 2008 — a year in which then-candidate Barack Obama’s campaign organization registered and mobilized millions of new voters — nearly 30 states have enacted laws restricting the activities of groups and individuals that work to put voters on the rolls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In 2011 alone, legislators in 34 states considered so-called voter ID laws. Voter ID policies require voters to present specific types of identification in order to cast a ballot. To date, 10 states have put voter ID laws in place. New Mexico does not have a voter ID law but has restricted the activities of groups that have worked to register voters for most of the last six years.

Today New Mexico held a MAY DAY Rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico in support of the immigrants and OCCUPY New Mexico.  Our Tequila Party leader, Julio Dominguez, showed his support and marched for the immigrants alongside a broad coalition of groups. In addition to launching our partnership with Evotee, the Tequila Party is committed to attending events in an effort to motivate and increase eligible Latino voters.

Music and Art will held at the Peace & Justice Center from 10AM-4PM  There was live art, sign making, an open mic, DJ’s-Feelin’ Up Jetti, Zia Zombie, and the Community Projektz as well as live performances by Felix y Los Gatos, L@s Otr@s, members of Albuquerque’s national Slam poetry team and mucho mas!

The march began at 4:30 pm that started at at University & Central to rally to Robinson Park.

El Centro did a magnificent job with their presence at the march.  El CENTRO is a grassroots, Latino immigrant led organization located in Central New Mexico which works with Latino immigrants and allies to defend, enforce, and advance our communities’  collective rights.  They have been working closely with Faith Leaders to take action and Sign-On to a Letter Against the Current Anti-Immigrant Climate and in Favor of Drivers’ Licenses for Immigrants

Driver’s License Fact Sheet

Fraud Fact Sheet

From El Centro:

Marcha pacífica y manifestación para la justicia de los trabajadores, la unión familiar, y contra el uso de los inmigrantes como blancos politicos en Nuevo México.

Música en vivo, juegos, danzantes Aztecas/Matachines, Diversión para niños, información sobre derechos laborales.

International Workers Day Peaceful March and Rally
For Worker Justice, and the Unification of Families. Against the scapegoating of our immigrant communities for political gain in New Mexico.

Live music, games, Aztec Dancers/Matachines, fun for kids, information about your workers rights.

Info: 505-246-1627 www.elcentronm.org

Exciting news from the National Tequila Party Movement.  We have launched and trained our New Mexico Leader on the new application and we will use evotee at our voter registration drives in New Mexico for 2012.  Evotee coming to the State of Arizona and key swing states.  It will be made available in Spanish.  Stay tuned.

For Immediate Release

May Day 2012

Albuquerque Leader Julio Dominguez: 505-504-4742
Lead Co-President: Shirl Mora James: 402-890-2295
Tequila Party Communications Dept: 480-200-3748
Jason Libersky, Evotee: 415-699-4023

Tequila Party Teams Up With Evotee Targeting Key Swing Presidential States for 2012

Albuquerque, NM — Recently the Rolling Stone wrote a piece regarding the The GOP War on Voting with Kris Kobach at the helm of voter suppression laws.

Ari Berman wrote:

Just as Dixiecrats once used poll taxes and literacy tests to bar black Southerners from voting, a new crop of GOP governors and state legislators has passed a series of seemingly disconnected measures that could prevent millions of students, minorities, immigrants, ex-convicts and the elderly from casting ballots … No one has done more to stir up fears about the manufactured threat of voter fraud than Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a top adviser in the Bush Justice Department who has become a rising star in the GOP. ” … This year, Kobach successfully fought for a law requiring every Kansan to show proof of citizenship in order to vote – even though the state prosecuted only one case of voter fraud in the past five years. The new restriction fused anti-immigrant hysteria with voter-fraud paranoia.

In light of voter suppression laws, the Tequila Party Movement has begun a working relationship and partnership with the founder and CEO of Evotee, Jason Libersky.   Our theme for 2012 is for us (eligible Latino voters) to be a “voice via our vote for the voiceless undocumented.”

Evotee will enable us to register to vote in a secure and verifiable, but easy way.  Judging from the feed back we have received from both Republican and Democrat voters and county clerks, we have balanced these requirements into a solution that benefits all stake-holder in the voter registration process.  The Evotee flagship product, Evotee Register provides secure, efficient, and fully online voter registration. The registration platform application is currently available for iPad. Evotee Register removes numerous obstacles to efficient, accurate, and verifiable voter registration and greatly reduces the workload placed on county clerks.

The platform is currently in use in New Mexico and will be ready for nationwide deployment in approximately 6 weeks.

As evotee launches the application in high Hispanic populated states with emphasis on key Presidential states, we will continue to train our state Tequila Party leaders in an effort to Rock the Latino Vote.  Currently we have been using the online voter registration powered by Rock the Vote, and we feel the iPad online version of Evotee will fit our needs when we register eligible Latino voters at our Get Out the Vote Rallies, too.

We are told a Spanish version of the Evotee application should be made available to us in approximately 4 weeks.  2012 is the year of the Latino and we will overcome voter suppression laws being implemented against us.

###

Evotee and National Tequila Party Movement working together to empower American eligible voters in a secure and verifiable but fast manner.

Below is a poem written by Michael Masters called Being Latino, and he wrote it because of the generation gap we experience as Mexican Americans. The Mexico Michael grew up in was something completely different compared to what his  brother experienced. Michael was raised on the border of Texas and Mexico while his brother was raised in Dallas, TX.

According to Michael his brother obtains knowledge about Mexico from TV tying Mexico to drug wars, poverty, and danger. This became evident one night when Michael  posted on his facebook wall making a comment of his wishes to go to Mexico for inspiration.

His 13 year old brother commented:  “For inspiration or for drugs?”

Michael replied with: “For inspiration… not to throw my life away.”

Michael’s brother replied with:  “OH, because the Mexico I know has no inspiration…..”

Michael  couldn’t sleep that night, so he was inspired to write the below poem to his brother.

Michael wishes to share this poem with my audience.  I do find value in it.  He wrote it in consideration of “Yo Soy Joaquin” but considers his poem more modern and understandable for today.

Michael’s heart is also with the family of the Joaquin Luna family….the DREAM Act student who took his life in Texas because he felt he had no hope.  Joaquin Luna’s memory will not be forgotten, nor will his death be in vain.

“Being Latino”

By Michael Masters

Here I lay sleepless at night
Wishing you had the insight
It’s sad to say you haven’t seen the day
The beauty, the love, the inspiration
You only know drugs and deprivation
You only see pain and lack of sanitation
But I’m here to remove you from your aberration

I only wish I could show
How much it hurts me to know
That maybe it’s not your fault
You see drugs, corruption and violence
But take my hand, heed these words, and take my guidance
Trust me, there’s another world out there
One you have yet to notice
One you have yet to explore
I only hope you find the time to appreciate it
Appreciate it till it hurts, till it pains you
To think any different

This is my culture, and these are my people
My people, the innovators of education
The first to make it mandatory throughout the nation
My people, even invented your favorite candy
The first to develop gum and fill your world with chocolate
My people, developers of astronomy,
The first to look beyond the trees
My people, mathematician extraordinaires
The spiritual rituals celebrating gifts as simple as airs
My people, developers of the calendar we use today
You see, there are many things you haven’t seen, and we’re not even halfway

Have you ever felt the warm breeze brisk your face?
Or the welcoming strangers, as if you’re never out of place?
Ever eaten tacos, real tacos, con a cilantro y cebolla covered?
Ever had that delicious taste be met with heartfelt shutter?
Have you ever seen the cities covered in mural paintings?
And then understand that it’s more than just entertaining?
Mijo, the one calling that can take you home anytime
The only thing that can get us through the roughest of times
Have you brushed up against the dirt floors?
Only to realize that you really need nothing more?

Monetary attainment never sustained my people
And so I say to you
What do you value?
Passion, the only thing that ever allowed for survival
And here, my people struggle for strength
Their hearts are growing weary
Don’t let the greed reach your soul
Remember as we were when we were whole
Let that pride, let that passion burn deep
Now that you know, I hope it’s something you wish to keep

Here are some photos of the vigil that was held for the I Am Joaquin Luna vigil in Texas under the leadership of Tania Chavez. Joaquin was a DREAMer who committed suicide because he felt he had no other option and on Monday, April 2, 2012, the Minority Affairs Council hosted a vigil in remembrance of Joaquin Luna. While our hearts mourn with those marching for Travyon in Florida, we are reminded of Joaquin at the vigil in the southwestern part of our Country.

We have been given permission to use these photos by Ana Mendoza and the Joaquin Luna family.

Family of Joaquin Luna holding a vigil in Edinburg, Texas on April 2, 2012. Left to Right - Diyer Mendoza and his wife and mother of Joaquin Luna

Family members of Joaquin Luna family hold candles in memory of their brother.

Students at Pan-American in Edinburg, Texas, read poems at Yo Soy Joaquin Luna event on April 2, 2012

Senator Harry Reid pretty much handed Senator Marco Rubio his arse with regard to the DREAM Act in the below op-ed.  How is it that a gabacho cares more about Latinos than those “convenient Hispanics” like Rubio?

Marco Rubio is all of a sudden concerned about “chain migration” but fails to tell the public that his family benefited from “chain migration.”  And now we are learning that Rubio doesn’t want DREAMers to earn their citizenship.    Mexican-Americans and Chicanos BELIEVE in legal immigration.  We are not for amnesty even though the Cubans receive amnesty under the Cuban Adjustment Act.  We know that Cuban immigrants receive tax payer dollars without first contributing a dime into our taxpayer system.  The Mexicans want to contribute to our tax revenue system.  They want to be legal.

Where are the Cuban immigrants at in Florida revolting against Senator Marco Rubio?

Don’t Cuban-Americans know that Rubio is being used as a pawn for the likes of the Heritage Foundation, NumbersUSA and FAIR to keep those of Mexican descent (and other Latino immigrant groups who don’t benefit from amnesty)  in the shadows of society?

Don’t these people know that the likes of NumbersUSA will turn against the Cubans, too, once they are finished using politicians like Sen. Rubio?

Those of Mexican descent make up of almost 70% of the entire Latino population.  The xenophobes know this which is why they need tokens like Rubio to do their dirty work and keep the Mexicans in somewhat of a powerless underclass.  Cubans make up of only 3% of the Latino population which is why the puppet masters at FAIR are willing to use politicians like Rubio who benefit from amnesty in order to keep the larger Hispanic demographic as a permanent underclass.

Speaking of NumbersUSA (a well known anti-immigrant group)….they gave Senator Marco Rubio a good grade.  They gave him a B because they know damn well what they are doing.  They are using tokens to go after the larger Hispanic demographic to do their dirty work.  The Republicans took the bait and it will backfire.

Why is the Republican Party scared?

Because they have been hijacked by the anti-immigrant tea party extremists and they are afraid that if President Obama signs a DREAM Act bill and/or Legal Immigration Plan — then it might create generational Latino Democrats.  You see, amigos, Republicans aren’t so scared when they create a situation that prevents an individual from voting…thus creating an underclass.

And that, amigos, is the bottom line.

An excerpt of Sen. Harry Reid’s op-ed below:

In contrast, the Republican plan to relegate hundreds of thousands of young people to a permanent underclass is unprecedented in American law or history, and goes against the basic American value of equal opportunity. Instead of bringing us closer to a solution, these measures move the discussion further away from the productive middle ground once occupied by Senator Hatch and other Republicans.

Ironically, even these bills have no chance of moving forward in a Republican House beholden to the Tea Party. Republican leaders automatically denounce any such proposal as an unacceptable “amnesty.” And how much farther to the right Republican leaders will move is anyone’s guess, since Romney’s positions are about as firm as an Etch-a-Sketch drawing, in the words of his own advisor.

If Republicans have constructive ideas to improve the DREAM Act, Democrats are listening. Before the last DREAM Act vote, we adjusted age limits and made other changes to accommodate Republican concerns. They still opposed it. However, our door remains open.

Read more here: www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/01/2723706/dont-keep-dreamers-waiting.html#storylink=cpy

For Immediate Release – 2 April 2012

info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Where is Senator Marco Rubio’s “Right” Immigration Plan

Phoenix, AZ — After meeting in person with valedictorian Daniela Pelaez from Florida who was facing deportation, Senator Rubio restated his opposition to the DREAM ACT by saying: “it is the wrong way to do the right thing.”

The Tequila Party Movement calls on Senator Rubio to show us his way of doing the right thing. We want action and not empty words. We ask Senator Rubio to reach out to Senator Menendez who has crafted an immigration plan and roll up his sleeves to work for all American people and in a bi-partisan fashion to give our nation sensible immigration reform that promotes legal migration.  Make our country globally competitive for the 21st century and offer an earned path for legalization for the unauthorized residents who have otherwise lived within the law.  The time to act is now. We cannot wait after elections.  We cannot lose another generation of graduating, talented seniors and let them live without hope in our country which is full of possibilities.   It is time to move this policy issue out of the extremist politics which has hijacked CIR for years and instead promote good policy.

We want to see Senator Rubio’s leadership and plan to see his right way of doing the right thing. We note that Senator Rubio’s father, mother and brother entered the United States upon the invitation of a relative, what he has called:  “chain migration”.   Thereafter, they all enjoyed the benefits of the Cuban Adjustment Act.    Today, if a Cuban national crosses the U.S. Mexican border illegally, a year after such entrance pursuant to this generous act, he/she can become a legal permanent resident.    Many individuals would call that “amnesty”.

The right thing to do is to support a full legal immigration reform, but due to the lack of leadership at the Hill, we are willing to use stepping stones to accomplish the full enchilada.  Typically a President will address a legal immigration reform plan after he is elected into his/her second term (as demonstrated with former President George W. Bush) and we cannot take chances on waiting anymore.

Let’s do some math today shall we? If you go to Latinos for Obama FB page you will see he has almost 50K fans. Contrast that with Newt Gingrich – Para Latinos page and you will see Newt has about 653 fans. It gets worse….Mitt Romney only has 53 likes on his “Hispanics for Mitt Romney” page. Romney’s endorsement by Kris Kobach (author and architect of most anti-immigrant laws) destroyed him.

Numbers don’t lie…..we all know where this is gonna go.  Everyone knows how powerful social networking with regard to Facebook, Twitter, blogging et al.  You have old ideas via Karl Rove still using his divisive tactics during a time Americans are striving and hungering for unity.  Karl Rove’s ugly attack ads will be the rope that hangs him as his negative energy counters what he wants for an end result.

Don't believe me?

Visit Latinos for Obama and all the other pages aforementioned.

Ann Coulter and all those Tea Party Republican extremist blowhards can tout Rubio all they want, but Rubio’s support for Arizona’s SB1070 law will haunt him in 2012 and the Mexicans in the southwest will make sure of it.

Rubio might be able to help Romney in Florida, but he is a laughing stock with the Mexican-Americans and Chicanos in the southwestern part of the Country. Several Latinos left the Republican Party and went Independent in states touching Arizona because the GOP did an effective job of marginalizing Hispanic Republicans.  Some Latino Republicans who stayed in the GOP have tremendous faith and are doing their best to bring their Party back to the Party of Abe and Ronald Reagan (who gave amnesty); however, some Latino Republicans such as Marco Rubio and the like are out right tokens for the Party.  They live for their Party and not the People.

Comparing Presidential 2012 candidates on FB. Newt Gingrich had the most Latino support while Mitt Romney only has 53 likes from "Hispanics."