Big Government, Anti-business, Republican?

Jersey City conservative questions Lonegan’s tactics.

By Rich Valdes

Would it be rational for Mayor Bloomberg to enter the McDonald’s in China Town and request that they remove their Chinese language menus or face a boycott proposed by the mayor? Are we to enter the Wal-Mart’s, PathMark’s, and other Big Box retailers of our communities and ask them to remove the English/Spanish signs that hang over each aisle in these stores? How is this the mayor’s business, and why is the government involved in this to begin with?

I recently went to visit my parents who live in Ridgefield Park and picked up the local newspaper. To my surprise one of the cover stories was of a fellow Republican promoting a boycott of a local business posting a Spanish language billboard in his own town—where he serves as mayor.

As a Republican Committeeman in Jersey City, I must say that I was confused when I saw, Bogota Mayor, Steve Lonegan’s, stance on a Spanish language billboard at a McDonald’s restaurant in Bogota, NJ. Traditionally, Republicans have fundamentally supported smaller governments that do not intrude in ones personal life; they have defended private property, free enterprise, and an individual’s right to free speech.

It seems that the local government led by Mayor Lonegan is interfering in private enterprise, challenging free speech, and suggesting what McDonald’s and CBS Viacom (US Companies not foreign one’s) should do on their private property. These actions are contrary the fundamental framework that composes the Republican platform and undermine the efforts that NJ Conservatives have labored for, for many years.

Moreover, it is unfortunate that one of our own would oppose the very beliefs that our Party [GOP] embraces, to propagate his opposition on the immigration issue. Mayor Lonegan’s requested boycott does not send a message that illegal aliens should obey the law, and that legal immigrant’s should learn English; it sends a harsh-toned message that says it is okay for the government to interfere with private industry, and that it is okay for the government to tell McDonald’s and CBS Viacom what and how to advertise on their own private property.

Furthermore, numerous marketing reports and analyses suggest that the Hispanic population is responsible for nearly one third of the purchasing power that our economy enjoys annually. With Hispanics being the largest ethnic minority group in the US, it would be foolish for any company to dismiss efforts to court the patronage of Hispanics in the US. Although both parties in this scenario are employing their right to free speech, only one side is promoting big government interference in free private industry, only one side is dictating what one can do on their private property, and only one side is appearing to suggest that advertising or marketing to the largest minority group in the country is inherently wrong.

I, like Mayor Lonegan, support securing our nation’s borders and seriously addressing the illegal immigration problem that the US is facing. However, I respectfully disagree with the mayor’s position on this issue as it has the potential to be construed as ill-spirited and bigoted toward Hispanics, which is contrary the vision of inclusion and diversity that President Bush and the Republican Party endorse.

As a Hispanic conservative, I close with a word of thanks to Mayor Lonegan for his continued efforts in addressing so many important issues that the rank and file of our Party have failed to address. Nonetheless, I respectfully request that Mayor Lonegan consider his future actions and/or comments when exercising his right to free speech and consider a position more consistent with the Conservative movement and the Republican Party.

Note: The author, Rich Valdes, is a freelance political analyst from Jersey City, New Jersey,  Rich interned as a Congressional Aide in New Jersey's 5th District and was the 2005 Republican Nominee for State Assemblyman in New Jersey’s 33rd legislative district. With over 10 years of sales and client relations experience Rich is the Director of Public Affairs for Gospel Tabernacle Church A/G in North Bergen, New Jersey.  Rich Valdes is also spokesperson for the Hudson County Republican Committee where he serves as an executive board member. Mr. Valdes is presently serving a two-year term as an elected Committeeman in Jersey City's Ward E12. Rich is married and has two daughters. Rich can be reached at info@RichValdes.com

The above was originally published July, 2006 by The Jersey Journal © 2006. Used with permission.