"I have never seen a Mexican immigrant, in this town anyway, standing on the corner holding a sign.  I highly doubt that I ever will,"  You probably won't but you will likely see this happen among the progeny of said immigrants.  The rot of the underclass has taken a firm hold among Latin communities and its the children of these immigrants who will begin to bear its pernicious fruit.  I should know I have seen it with my own eyes.

Love it, I tell everyone to watch it. 

I did always like a good tune and at least in English language I didn't pay much attention at first but I became less interested over time.  I realized that most so called lyrics really suck and the music itself isn't very good anymore.  Having also grown up with various Spanish genres the ones that have and still have my attention are the ones where the industry songwriters have maintained a level of lyrical quality to their tunes.  Generally speaking modern Spanish has maintained a  variety of emotive words that are used to describe various feelings.  Modern American English seems to have lost that great quality found in classic literature.  The Spanish language songwriters appeal to the masses but thank god it is still expected that the songs be catchy in lyrical fashion.  Many of the risque songs still use allegorical and/or tongue in cheek language.  The more erotic songs use expressions of deep love and passion, the use of vulgar language is not considered kosher.  This type of tradition also applies to other languages so I wonder if it all has to do with culture.

I sadly concur, born and raised in CA I'm beginning to wonder which part of the US I can to in the future.  I love and am spoiled by the SoCal weather but I see the writing in the wall.  If my parents and family were amenable to moving in the near future I would probably follow but such in the not case.  I can attest that Orange, CA is beautiful but it has become a haven for the very well off upper class and seniors who got the lucky end of the real estate appreciation.  The cost of living is very and I mean very high in Orange County.  I say this having moved a county just south of it and now realize I would never ever be able to afford a descent dwelling in the OC with my income. 

I agree with Zafar that Naomi Wolf views conservatism as having the same meaning within diffirent regional contexts.  I would have to say that in the view she presents many Indian "right wing" and "conservative" political members have essentially blamed the victim.  They have stated that women should be just housewives and should not be out at night.  I believe that the situation in Indian needs to be viewed within its cultural prism.  This horrible act has awoken a generally passive populace and many hope it will be milestone to address many of the inequalities women suffer in their country.  As an aside "eve teasing" is endemic within Indian open spaces.  It basically is a euphamism for sexual harrasment where groups of men will verabally harrass women.  At times it has led to actual physical assault and the media has begun to address this issue.  The response from police and other authorities has been to women: don't dress immodestly, don't needlessly travel alone and don't go out at night.  That is it, no action or anything other than its was probably your fault.

I liken it to the saying that there is no shame in recognizing the strengths of a worthy opponent. 

One of the most moving scenes in the musical is when Valjean is dying and saying goodbye to Cosette and Marius.  Once he bids his farewells he unequivocally states the redeeming power of God (as found in Christianity) and lays claim to his peace knowing that he will meet his maker in the hereafter.  I can not think of any other modern work that would allow this on stage.  I hope this  film did the musical justice.  (I haven't read the book)

Are you married? No

Why not? Various reasons, I am an introvert by nature so its difficult for me to get myself out there.  In my twenties I was in a bad relationship that lasted too long and I dropped off for some time.  Now that I am in my early 30's its a whole new game.  A lot of the good guys are understandbly taken.  I am now competing with not only with women my age but with women in their 20's.  It's just a reality here is SoCal. 

What are you looking for?  A God fearing good man who is comfortable with a mix of modern/traditional norms in life, marriage and raising children. 

I found the anecdote about Latin women amusing.  Being of Mexican origin and raised within the community I can see how some American men find the willingness of Latin women to live within more traditional norms appealing.  The thing is American men need to not confuse acceptance of traditional norms with absolute submission.  There is an inherent deal in Latin culture.  Men have to step up to the plate, if not all that adherence is out the window. 

I'm 34, grew up in a Mexican immigrant household and enclave.  In fact, I didn't learn to speak English until I began elementary school.  Growing up in an immigrant home I grew up very socially conservative and within the influence of an evangelical church.  However, I can attest what Heather McDonald has found, the grinding poverty within the Hispanic community makes the siren call of welfare state irresistable.  I grew up thinking that the state was responsible in helping the citizens and in the process began to see the unraveling of the social mores within my community.  It wasn't until my mid twenties when an ex-boyfriend challenged my beliefs in how much the government should do.  I had grown up in an economically deprived area where all the classic underclass issues were present not only in my neighborhood but sadly in some family members.  The ex planted the idea that the welfare state and the hideous underclass/poverty problems were related.  It took a few years but my natural SoCon sympathies aligned with the conservative political thought. 

If an amnesty is granted I believe the supporters will be shocked at how many blue collar workers will stay in the underground economy.  What they crave is the freedom of movement, the government safety net and to do business as usual.  If that means that they stay underground in order to survive i.e. keep undercutting the legit business because all the new regulations, taxes, etc. are too burdensome (they never had to deal with before); do not doubt for a moment they will.  Those desperate for work will continue to take jobs that pay in cash without all those pesky FICA, federal and state tax withholdings. 

Peter, as noted by others who live or know California something like this sounds plausible. That in itself shows how bonkers this state is. What many should look out for is the partial repeal of Prop 13, at least the commercial property application. I have heard that the Dems are salivating at the potential tax revenue.

I agree with the prior comments to think carefully.  One must be ready to deal with the inevitable nastiness that will eminate from hard core lefties like the ones found in Ann Arbor.  To lefties the ends justify the means so it might mean they will do whatever it 'takes' to shut you up.  If you do go ahead I have to say that I would vote for the one speaking about your grandfather.  That statement would likely strike a deep chord and make people remember that the Holocaust was stopped only by Allied intervention. 

Its been around for years  know as "narco corridos" and certain groups are known for their close "friendship" with cartels.  Its angry, resentful, violent and many times vulgar.  Your allusion to gangta rap is apt in that it represents a subculture that many young men are lured into.  I have been amazed how so many conservatives can be mistaken in their perspectives about Hispanics in particular Mexicans and Central Americans. 

Adam although its an interesting idea I would wager that most individuals the project would like to target already read and speak English.  But who knows as my mother always said el que no enseña no vende.  Demographically Hispanics are a young group and tend to speak English.  An area that could have an impact is in Spanish news media.  Right now its dominated by leftists such as Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas.  These two individuals are like the Walter Cronkite of Latin community.  If conservative entrepreneurs can penetrate the Spanish visual media then I could foresee some impact.  Keep in mind that most people of Hispanic descent tend to poor and have lower level of education thus they rely heavily on audio and visual media rather than print.

Sorry Pig Man but Xennady is right.  I was born, raised and live in California.  In many parts of this state illegal immigrants and their progeny live with near impunity when it comes to many laws like insurance, land use, business licenses, etc.  What most people have to understand is that many Latinos are nominal Catholics who rarely attend Mass and don't really follow social conservative mores.  If they did then nearly 50% of Latino children wouldn't be born out of wedlock and their mothers would not have higher rates of multiple partner parings.  I am of Mexican heritage and I read VDH's writings with sadness because I know they are true.  Many Latin immigrants in particular Mexican and Central American illegal/legal immigrants come from the lowest rungs of their respective society with little if any schooling.  They are quickly schooled in the benefits of the welfare state and I can guarantee to you that with many people it trumps any SoCon sympathies.  They  want an ever expanding welfare state because they do not pay for it.  

Very lovely post.  It struck a deep chord with me since I can relate with your experience.  I also was surrounded by familial uncertainty and poverty.  I discovered books in elementary school and they became my escape.  My family never encouraged reading and were baffled by my love of reading.  My older siblings would ask me if I really enjoyed reading books that had hundreds of pages and expressed amazement.  In some ways it was a relief to my mother since it kept me quiet and out of trouble, so  she never discouraged it.  Sadly my reading has decreased dramatically in the last few years.   Most literary works have little if any interest to me anymore particularly fiction.  Its allure has sadly faded.