Born in Mexico, an immigrant to America, becoming a citizen of
the United States and given the privilege and honor to vote in San
Benito County for the past seven years, I consider voting a very
important part of my life as a new citizen and take every
opportunity not to miss out delivering my vote.
Born in Mexico, an immigrant to America, becoming a citizen of the United States and given the privilege and honor to vote in San Benito County for the past seven years, I consider voting a very important part of my life as a new citizen and take every opportunity not to miss out delivering my vote.
In regards of this past election, specifically the District 5 Supervisor election, letters written to your newspaper all seem to be missing the point and are being presented as taking only one side of the issue.
The issue is not about James or Jaime De La Cruz or Bob Cruz losing. The issue should be addressed whether the election was in fairness and were people being honest on regards to their candidacy or in presenting their views on any voting measure or proposition.
When I mention honesty, I can give you some examples of not being honest with Latino voters. I have personal knowledge of a young person on this community, age 19 years, who feels intimidated by being taken to the polling place by James De La Cruz inside the voting area at Calaveras School talking top people and telling them the same. These individuals stand ready to come forward if needed, they are telling the truth and are being honest about their feelings being intimidated to vote in a certain way. I personally consider this a violation of voter rights.
So when your print letter from your readers say “Don’t cry, let go, and don’t care.” Well, let me tell you that that’s what happens in Mexico during elections and the Government Party PRI stayed in power for 50 years committing fraud in every election. You ask why. Because nobody cares, nobody cried and everybody just let go due to their personal interest and lack of caring.
However, in this beautiful country, the United States of America, elections should be considered a privilege and a civic duty, and should be different from other countries. As a recent citizen by choice, let me tell you that until everything is perfectly clear on this election, and James De La Cruz is rightfully elected without any doubt of wrongdoing, then I and everyone else will accept the results. And until then I will continue to cry, and I won’t let go because I DO CARE.
Elections in this county have always been clear, honest and without any doubt. Don’t you want to keep it that way?
Guillermo G. Padilla,
Hollister
