Salt of the Earth: What Hispanics want

Stat house
September 2001

Prison numbers "stabilize"
U.S. Hispanics speak out

U.S. Hispanics speak out
With numbers comes power, and as the 2000 Census showed, Hispanics have the numbers to demand political attention. A survey released July 25 shows Hispanics, now the largest minority in the country, are particularly unhappy about the public education system, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security, but they have definite ideas about how to fix them.

The survey, commissioned by two Washington, D.C. non-profits, the Hispanic Business Roundtable and The Latino Coalition (TLC), shows nearly 60 percent of Hispanics have a negative opinion of their local public schools. Violence and drugs are most to blame, say 38 percent, but almost a fifth rate lack of quality teachers as the biggest problem facing public education. Twelve percent name a lack of basic reading, writing, and math skills and 11 percent identify overcrowding as the system's largest problem.

More survey results

54 percent have a favorable opinion of Democrats in Congress, compared with 23 percent for Republicans.

47 percent have a favorable opinion of President Bush.

75 percent support expanding NAFTA to other Latin American countries.

63 percent consider themselves pro-life; 29 percent call themselves pro-choice.

33 percent say they regularly send money to family members outside the United States.

70 percent have a savings or checking account.

Forty percent of respondents say more money should be spent to help teachers and students, but 54 percent think too much education money is used for "bureaucracy." Many think school vouchers might help. TLC President Robert Deposada says, "The frustration of Hispanic parents is evident when 74 percent support vouchers to help low-income families send their children to a better public or private school."

Medicare and Medicaid also top the list of Hispanic concerns. Almost two thirds say Medicare needs reform, and changes should provide a variety of choices among different plans, like the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program does. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed also want a prescription drug plan for low-income senior citizens. "We urge Congressional leaders from both parties, and the White House, to take a close look at these numbers as they review legislative options on prescription drugs under the Medicare program," Deposada says.

Deposada also thinks Congress should consider revamping Social Security. According to the survey, only 35 percent of Hispanics have saved $5000 or more for retirement. Nearly half doubt they'll ever receive Social Security benefits, and 62 percent would support the creation of personal retirement accounts.

The bilingual survey, conducted by Opiniones Latinas, polled 1000 Hispanic adults between July 9 and 11. Its confidence level is 95 percent, plus or minus 3.1 percent.—Anne Graber

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