Latinos are once again poised to have a significant impact on the elections next week. But what are some of the factors pushing Latinos to participate? Latina Lista takes a look at the perfect storm:
“It's not a myth that Latino voters have the power to influence the outcomes of political elections. It's a fact that was proven in 2008 during the presidential election.
“[…]However, according to the political research group Latino Decisions, Texas and Arizona still rank among states where Latinos can influence elections. But for 2010, Latino Decisions projects Latinos to influence elections in: California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, Florida, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
“Up until a few weeks ago, the notion that Latinos could resurrect any kind of electoral influence was highly debatable among pundits, the media and even Latinos ourselves.
“But thanks to a string of events, the drive to get out the Latino vote has intensified. However, it's not enthusiasm for change that's driving the Latino vote this time, it's a steel determination to keep an undesirable change from happening and to fight back against racists running for office.”
The Department of Education issued a letter yesterday calling on teachers to help in the fight against bullying in schools. The New York Times writes:
“The letter is the product of a yearlong review of the federal statutes and case law covering sexual, racial and other forms of harassment, officials said. Issuing the letter took on new urgency in recent weeks because of a string of high-profile cases in which students have committed suicide after enduring bullying by classmates, the officials said.
“In one case, Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers University freshman, jumped from the George Washington Bridge in an apparent suicide last month, days after his roommate, according to prosecutors, streamed over the Internet his intimate encounter with another man.
“The department issued the letter to clarify the legal responsibilities of the authorities in public schools and in colleges and universities under federal laws, the officials said. Certain forms of student bullying might violate federal anti-discrimination law.
“‘I am writing to remind you that some student misconduct that falls under a school’s anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities under one or more of the federal anti-discrimination laws,’ says the letter, signed by Russlynn H. Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights.”
The mere fact of walking may help prevent memory loss, particularly among the elderly, according to a new study that gets a write-up in The Washington Post:
“THE QUESTION Might a regular walking regimen protect against the memory loss that occurs when the brain shrinks in old age?
“THIS STUDY involved 299 people who averaged 78 years old and had no cognitive problems at the start of the study. The distances they walked weekly were recorded, MRI scans measured their brains' gray matter (the part of the brain responsible for thinking) and they were given standardized cognitive tests. After 13 years, 116 participants had diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Those who walked six to nine miles a week had greater gray matter volume nine years after the start of the study than those who walked less or not at all; walking farther showed no added benefit. They also were half as likely to have developed memory problems in the 13-year span as were the others.
“WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Older people. Walking has been shown to boost a person's energy and mood, benefit muscles and bones, help control weight and lower the risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.”
Consumers are spending more on luxury goods, even as spending on everyday essentials remains tight, according to USA Today:
“Consumers are buying more luxury items but spending remains tight for everyday essentials such as food and dental care, a USA TODAY analysis finds, suggesting a growing divide between haves and have-nots.
“Purchases of TVs, jewelry, recreational vehicles and pet supplies are growing robustly, government data show. At the same time, spending on medical care, day care and education is down in the dumps.”
“‘The rising tide isn't lifting all boats,’ says Carl Steidtmann, chief economist at the Deloitte accounting and consulting firm and author of an index tracking consumer spending.
“He says higher-income and older households, helped by a strong stock market, are experiencing increased wealth and spending more. However, high unemployment is pulling in the other direction, depressing spending among people without jobs and those anxious about job security.”