Like
many Republicans I was deeply disappointed with the results of the recent
election. I turned to a wise friend for some – any – words of solace. My friend
told me the following story:
A few weeks ago, a young Hispanic man and his two employees
were finishing some floors for me. Just before he left, he said of the
election, “I hope Obama win.” I
replied, saying, “Politicians are not my
heroes. Entrepreneurs like you are my heroes. Look at those two
guys who are working for you. They would not have jobs if you had not
taken the risk of buying this heavy equipment, paying them even before you
finished paying for the equipment, in the hope that you would get enough
business to keep paying them.
You are their
hero.
You are my
hero. I’m voting for you by voting for Romney.”
When he sent his invoice in the mail, he included a note,
saying, “I’m voting for Romney.”
No
doubt over the next year Republican strategists will spend countless hours and
money trying to determine how the party can reach out to Hispanics and other
minorities. It is not that difficult. It can be accomplished with a simple and
clear message that honors, not panders to, Hispanics. It also takes the right spokesperson. My friend was an ideal person in both
regards. An accomplished African-American businessman and small business
entrepreneur himself, he instilled in his sons the values of hard work and
perseverance and taught them to never view themselves as victims. It worked, as
his sons built a highly successful business and realized the American Dream
for themselves and their employees.
With
a few simple words to a young Hispanic man my friend conveyed the essence of
what hard work, economic freedom, and independence really mean and gave him the
inspiration to achieve his dreams. And the government did not play a role in
this exchange.
RedStateVT
November 2012
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