By Emma Velez, Columnist
In the world of politics there is nothing quite like a growing voting bloc to spur political cooperation and change.
Take, for example, the growing number of Hispanic voters.
A bipartisan coalition of eight senators recently released a comprehensive plan for immigration reform, beating Barack Obama’s team to the punch of the anticipated release of the President’s vision.
In an attempt to win over these voters, Republican leaders have conceded the need for bipartisan compromise on immigration reform, which has been deadlocked on party lines for years.
No substantial reforms have been made to immigration at the federal level since the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
After years of refusing to compromise on the issue, the Republican Party changed tactics and is attempting to woo a growing Hispanic voting bloc that makes up a substantial portion of the population in the battleground states of Florida, Nevada and Colorado.
Many Republican leaders consider Hispanics to be natural potential members of the party because of close alignment on family, faith and social issues.
The fact remains, though, that 71 percent of Hispanic voters cast ballots for Barack Obama in the last election, according to Pew Research.
The thinly veiled motives behind this seemingly grand act of political compromise hold a valuable reminder for voters: There is power behind political mobilization.
Politicians listen to those who vote.
Think of the issues our legislators would have to pay attention to if young people started voting.
My guess is they’d think twice about cuts to Pell Grants and education and work harder on finding solutions to issues like student debt and the rising cost of college tuition.
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