Alarmingly Arrogant East Coast Elitism

Earlier this week, the New York Times printed an editorial entitled “An Exodus in Our Own Backyard”, criticizing the Obama Administration over its domestic treatment of refugees fleeing violence in Central America. The piece stated, “President Obama has spoken of them with sympathy. But he and his Homeland Security secretary, Jeh Johnson have done far too little to match words with actions…”

Socioeconomic instability in Mexico, Central and South America is not a domestic policy issue; it is FOREIGN POLICY CRISIS in a country that is America’s second largest trading partner and Arizona’s largest.  So if Mexico is our “Backyard,” is Arizona our country’s back porch?  How arrogant and out of touch is that for our country’s largest “paper of record?”  Alas, this isn’t the first time the Times has showcased its world class ignorance.

In May of 2014, the same Editorial Board devoted 1,800 words analyzing President Obama’s foreign policy approach. It focused on the situations in Syria, Ukraine and the Middle East. Never, not once, did the Times Board mention Mexico, Central or South America.  Other people may not have noticed, but we did, talking about our “Foreign Policy Secret.”  Click here to read our blog.

If our country is to resolve the immigration crisis of 15 million undocumented people currently living here, it is time to stop the race-baiting invective of both the left and the right and treat this issue as a symptom of the larger challenge that it is: the biggest opportunity in our hemisphere.  This is our opportunity to promote global trade and job growth by supporting and demanding governments in the region to embrace true democratic reforms; de-centralization of state-owned enterprises; and a respect for a rule of law and a demand that human rights be respected and students not murdered.

This is a FOREIGN POLICY CRISIS that should take center stage in this Presidential election cycle. Sadly, our nation’s “paper of record” is treating Mexico, Central and South America like a verse out of a James Taylor or Jimmy Buffett song.

As we said time and again, it is time for true leaders to step to the front of the stage to articulate how our relationship with Mexico is the most relevant foreign policy challenge facing our nation today – this relationship can no longer stand as a colonialist-era leftover.