PUBLICATIONS BY Israel Ortega
Research
Commentary
Media Appearances
2008 Research
May 13, 2008
How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Backgrounder #2135)
Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. President Felipe Calderón must reform Mexico's economy to create new private-sector jobs, and President Bush and Congress should support Mexican efforts to help solve the immigration crisis, open Mexico to more U.S. exports and investment, and secure our border.
May 13, 2008
Executive Summary: How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Executive Summary #2135)
Executive Summary: Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. President Felipe Calderón must reform Mexico's economy to create new private-sector jobs, and President Bush and Congress should support Mexican efforts to help solve the immigration crisis, open Mexico to more U.S. exports and investment, and secure our border.
2007 Research
June 05, 2007
Immigration Reform: The Need for Upholding Our National Language
By Matthew Spalding, Ph.D. and Israel Ortega
(WebMemo #1488)
An amendment being offered by Senator James Inhofe (R–OK) will give every Senator the opportunity to affirm the importance of declaring, preserving, and enhancing the role of the English language in the United States.
2009 Commentary
November 16, 2009
America's Enduring Exceptionalism
By Israel Ortega
In any given year, countless men, women and even children die in the hot, arid U.S.-Mexico border region while trying to sneak into this country. What drives so many to risk their lives just for the chance to live in this country? Indeed, why have so many been so eager to leave their homelands and their families for this country? Could there be something uniquely "American" that makes this country exceptional?
November 05, 2009
Why Spending Won't Grow Our Economy
By Israel Ortega
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money" - Margaret Thatcher
October 21, 2009
Another Broken Promise
By Israel Ortega
Shortly after being sworn in as the 44th president, Barack Obama said, "Let me say it as simply as I can. Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency."
October 02, 2009
Where Government Fails, Room for Private Charities to Thrive
By Israel Ortega
According to a recently released federal government report, the U.S. poverty rate is at its highest level since 1987. Some 13.2 percent of Americans -- 39.8 million -- live in poverty.
September 22, 2009
Why are We Sending Mixed Messages to Honduras?
By Israel Ortega and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Although those words were first penned more than half a century ago in a dark Birmingham jail, Rev. King's powerful words continue to inspire those facing hardships today, even in distant lands.
September 04, 2009
Fear Shouldn't Interfere With a Child's Education
By Israel Ortega
Looking back on our school days, there were always some things we feared: bad grades, lousy lunches and hallway cliques.
August 24, 2009
Obamacare Would Shortchange Hispanics
By Israel Ortega
For most Members of Congress, the month of August is typically a time to relax, unwind and catch up on reading while taking a break from the humidity of Washington, D.C. Unfortunately for them, this isn't a typical August.
July 29, 2009
Seeking More than Financial Freedom
By Israel Ortega
Why did we come to this country? Rarely do we ever stop for a moment in our busy days at work to wonder why we, or our parents or grandparents, came to this country. But with the U.S. at a crossroad and many of our ancestral homes facing turmoil, perhaps it makes sense to contemplate whether anything besides money drove Hispanics to this country.
July 27, 2009
Open Markets, Improve Economy
By Israel Ortega
It's no secret that our economy is hurting. Here in Washington, the response has been predictable: increase federal spending. Beginning last fall and continuing through the spring, Congress has been spending at a feverish pace, highlighted by two massively expensive "stimulus bills" with a combined price tag of almost $1 trillion.
July 03, 2009
Covering the Uninsured Shouldn't Cost $1.5 Trillion Dollars
By Israel Ortega
According to a recent analysis by the Census Bureau, about 2.5 million New Yorkers lack health insurance. This means they're living day to day, hoping they won't get sick and need to visit the doctor's office. Otherwise, they'll be on the hook for the entire cost of the visit.
July 02, 2009
What No Government Program Can Do
By Israel Ortega
Here in Washington, D.C., the formula almost never changes. Policymakers see a problem, throw money at it and hope it goes away. But this rarely works. That's usually because the answer lies not in the government -- but at home.
June 09, 2009
The Constitution must trump racial politics
By Israel Ortega
Standing atop of the U.S. Supreme Court sits Lady Justice dressed in a Greco-Roman garment. She wears a blindfold, signifying an essential element of our country's judicial system: Justice requires that all are treated fairly under the law, regardless of whether the person appearing before the court is rich or poor, white or black, man or woman.
June 08, 2009
Congress' Spending Spree
By Israel Ortega
President Obama recently told a packed auditorium that American consumers must stop seeing credit cards as "free money." Fair enough. And while he's at it, maybe he could impart his financial stewardship advice to Congress.
June 08, 2009
Another Bad Idea from Washington
By Israel Ortega
Heard the news? Washington, D.C., has become the country’s ATM.
May 18, 2009
If members of Congress can choose, why can't we?
By Israel Ortega
Have you gone green? If not, chances are you're in the minority. Celebrities and companies alike are urging us all to go green by adopting "simple steps" to reduce our "carbon footprint."
May 13, 2009
The High Cost of Being Green
By Israel Ortega
Have you gone green? If not, chances are you're in the minority. Celebrities and companies alike are urging us all to go green by adopting "simple steps" to reduce our "carbon footprint."
April 17, 2009
Why American Leadership Still Matters
By Israel Ortega
President Barack Obama is taking his bully pulpit abroad for the second time in less than three weeks. This time he’s bound for Trinidad and Tobago to meet with many other leaders from the Western Hemisphere for the fifth Summit of the Americas.
April 16, 2009
Mending Fences with Mexico?
By Israel Ortega
This month, President Barack Obama will make his first visit to Mexico. For most people, such a trip might include visiting its beautiful beaches or touring its centuries-old Aztec ruins.
March 30, 2009
The Perils of Protectionism
By Israel Ortega
A war with our neighbors to the South has broken out. Not a conventional war of armies, firepower, or weapons, but a trade war. And although we may be spared the violence of a shooting war, a trade conflict poses a serious threat to our economy -- and in these dire times we cannot afford to put U.S. jobs and exports at greater risk.
March 26, 2009
A Health Care Plan Fit for a Congressman
By Israel Ortega
Fixing the economy dominates today's headlines, of course, and may make repairing our broken health care system seem the least of our worries. And yet, with the number of uninsured growing and health care costs rising, it's clear that confronting both is crucial.
March 18, 2009
Dictators in our Back Yard
By Israel Ortega
Authoritarianism is once again on the rise in our own hemisphere. Just last month, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez successfully amended his country's constitution, giving him a chance to maintain power for life.
March 05, 2009
Rolling Back Welfare Reform
By Israel Ortega
There are many disturbing features to the "stimulus" bill recently signed into law -- its massive $787 billion price tag, the fact that it empowers a more intrusive and expansive government, its countless millions for wasteful pet projects.
March 02, 2009
The Looming Fiscal Wipeout
By Israel Ortega
Before buying a new house and two new cars, most families would check their finances to make sure they could afford those purchases. Things operate in reverse here in Washington.
February 23, 2009
Hispanic Families Must Make Their Voices Heard in the Fight for DC School Choice
By Lindsey Burke and Israel Ortega
Since 2004, many Hispanic children in D.C. have been given the opportunity of a lifetime: a scholarship to attend a private school. Five years after the program began, growing evidence is showing that it is making a huge impact in these children’s lives. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen whether Congress and the Obama Administration will allow the successful program to go forward.
February 02, 2009
El Plan Que No Estimula
By Israel Ortega
Si estas esperando que la economía se mejore; no mires hacia el Congreso buscando por la respuesta. Porque si el proyecto de ley sigue siendo vetado en Washington, D.C. es la mejor ruta fuera de esta recesion - puede que tarde un tiempo antes que encontremos la salida.
February 02, 2009
The Stimulus Bill That Isn't
By Israel Ortega
If you’re looking for a boost to the economy, don’t look to Congress for the answer. If the proposed stimulus bill is the best possible route out of this recession, our nation could be in for the long haul.
January 30, 2009
Populism: The Illusion that Won't Go Away
By Israel Ortega
Like the mirage of a spring in a sunny desert, the promises of a better life offered by populist politicians have been misleading people for centuries. This is particularly true in Latin America, where, since the first days of the Spanish Empire, countless figures have pledged economic equality -- only to disappoint upon assuming power.
January 24, 2009
Florida's Success Story
By Israel Ortega
For more than 40 years, politicians in Washington have been promising that they will improve public education. But decades of growth in federal expenditures and ever-increasing federal involvement have failed to deliver meaningful results. Millions of children continue to pass through the nation’s public schools without receiving a quality education.
January 10, 2009
Let's Not Follow Japan's Example
By Israel Ortega
Bailouts seem to have become commonplace as Americans endure one of the worst economic climates in recent times. And since New York is the epicenter of our country's financial services industry, it’s reasonable to assume no place needs a helping hand as much as the Big Apple.
2008 Commentary
December 22, 2008
Education: The Neglected Crisis
By Israel Ortega
With daily doses of bad news coming in the form of rising unemployment and business failures, the words "financial crisis" are everywhere. Meanwhile another crisis is receiving virtually no media attention, even though it potentially threatens our future economic prosperity and national security.
December 05, 2008
Why We Should Not Bail Out Detroit
By Israel Ortega
Now that the Christmas season is in full swing, it seems like everyone is busy working on their wish list for Santa Claus. Among them are our nation's automakers, looking to lawmakers on Capitol Hill for a $25 billion dollar loan they hope will make this a merry Christmas.
November 14, 2008
U.S.: Why we are All Winners
By Israel Ortega
What are we to make of this epic election? Are we really, as some contend, a country torn between "red" and "blue" America. Are there truly "patriotic" and "unpatriotic" quarters? A closer look at our country's history reveals otherwise.
November 04, 2008
Congress Can't Police Itself
By Israel Ortega
There's a reason football coaches spend so much time looking at tape of their team’s games. By looking back, they can identify mistakes and work with their players to make sure those mistakes don’t happen again. Plus, they can make changes they don't have time to implement during the game itself.
October 20, 2008
What about Latin America?
By Israel Ortega and Ray Walser
Halfway through the season's presidential and vice presidential debates, it seems likely there’s going to be little discussion of U.S.-Latin American relations during this election.
September 27, 2008
Gaining Health Care Coverage Without Losing Freedom
By Israel Ortega
Americans are anxious about the future of our health care system — and rightly so. They’re looking for a sensible way to extend coverage to the tens of millions of Americans who lack health insurance.
September 15, 2008
Class is in Session - What Will the New School Year Bring?
By Israel Ortega
Change is in the air. The leaves are changing colors, and there is less sunlight -- a sure sign fall is around the corner, bringing a new school year. And lawmakers already have their first assignment: fix the broken education system that fails to provide a quality education for our nation’s children.
September 08, 2008
Why Our Schools Need to Run Like Businesses
By Israel Ortega
Would it make sense to give a Burger King the power to decide whether or not a McDonald’s may open next door? How about if we allowed the New York Mets to pay their players based solely on how many years they’ve been in the Big Leagues? As strange as it sounds, the current educational establishment employs similar faulty business practices. And the results have been disastrous.
August 08, 2008
Protectionism 1 – Free Trade 0
By Israel Ortega
Trade's in trouble. With little time left in this year's legislative calendar and an unproductive meeting at the latest Doha Round, it's becoming painfully clear that protectionism is winning and free trade is losing.
August 04, 2008
What You're Not Hearing
By Israel Ortega
From rising gas prices and global warming to the war in Iraq and health care, the presidential hopefuls haven’t hesitated to bring up many of the pressing issues facing America. And yet there is one issue that both candidates have avoided so far -- even though it could threaten our nation's livelihood for generations to come.
July 30, 2008
The Real Meaning of the 4th of July
By Israel Ortega
Earlier this month our nation celebrated the 4th of July -- Independence Day. For American families, it’s a tradition that involves food, friends and fireworks. Unfortunately, as with many holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re celebrating.
July 07, 2008
Troubling Statistics for Hispanic Teens
By Israel Ortega
With the recent rise in gasoline prices, we’re all trying to cut corners to make our dollar last longer. For families with teens, this may mean less allowance money, coupled with lessons on better financial stewardship. While they’re at it, they may want to emphasize the importance of making good life decisions.
June 26, 2008
Opening America's Energy Potential
By Israel Ortega
Most New Yorkers rely on public transportation to get around. In an age of $4-a-gallon gasoline, they’re lucky.
June 21, 2008
Immigration Reform: A Two Way Street
By Israel Ortega
Immigration. Lately, speaking this one word alone is akin to stirring up a hornet’s nest. Nonetheless, our country needs to do something. Illegal immigration persists, and the natural question is: What will we do?
June 20, 2008
Why Polar Bears and Politics Don't Mix
By Israel Ortega
After months of relentless lobbying, environmentalists had reason to celebrate recently when the Bush administration named the polar bear a “threatened species.” Should we join in on the celebration? Not if you’re one of the many Americans feeling the pain at the pump because of rising gas prices.
June 05, 2008
Mexico Needs Reforms
By Israel Ortega
Mexico should open its nationalized oil, natural gas, and electricity sectors to private investment and participation.
May 21, 2008
The High Cost of Broken Families
By Israel Ortega
Between 1970 and 2005, the number of children living in two-parent homes has dropped from 85 percent to 68 percent. Essentially, one third of all U.S. children are now born outside of wedlock. Of significance, 46 percent of all babies born out of wedlock are Hispanic. Why should our community care? Or even yet, why should our government care?
May 06, 2008
Tax Hike on the Horizon
By Israel Ortega
There are some days (Christmas, the Fourth of July) that people look forward to, and there are some we dread. April 15 -- the deadline for filing taxes -- is certainly one of the latter.
April 19, 2008
Tough Love
By Israel Ortega
The sky is falling. At least, that’s what politicians who make a living out of pandering to the fear of the masses would like for us to believe. In this busy season of finger pointing, it’s easy to see why our elected officials would like to flex their political muscles for the constituents back home. But perhaps our country would be better served if our elected officials were to plot a more sensible and responsible course, even if it is not the most popular.
April 14, 2008
An Unexpected Ally?
By Israel Ortega
Now that the Eliot Spitzer administration is behind us, perhaps we can focus our attention again on tackling the most pressing issues facing New Yorkers. Let’s hope education leads the list.
April 01, 2008
The Trade Two Step
By Israel Ortega
Have you learned the steps to the latest dance sweeping the halls of Congress and race for the White House? If you answered no, it's probably because you aren’t a politician trying to have it both ways on free trade while improving our ties with our friends in Latin America.
March 17, 2008
Politics Doesn't Stop-Even for National Security
By Israel Ortega
Picture this: Two terrorists abroad are communicating over email/IM plotting a potential strike in New York City and the surrounding areas. The government knows that this communication is going to take place, but can’t do anything.
March 08, 2008
35 Years of Achievements
By Israel Ortega
For many, “conservatism” is a dirty word. It brings to mind an image of a stubborn, rich, greedy businessman trying to exploit others. At least, that’s the image the Left has managed to craft in many minds.
February 11, 2008
The Link between Economic Opportunity and Prosperity
By Israel Ortega
What accounts for the economic success of some countries and the shortcomings of others? Why do some countries boast high per-capita income while in others many citizens go hungry? Do historical circumstances shackle the success of developing countries as some contend? Or do specific actions taken by governments hold the answer to this perennial riddle?
January 23, 2008
Poverty and Hunger: Why the Government's Not the Answer
By Israel Ortega
Thanks to the endless media coverage of the upcoming Presidential election, there is no shortage of candidates talking about the plight of Americans facing tough times. Many even say we have a moral obligation to help the poor and disenfranchised. Perhaps, but the real question may be: What is the appropriate role of the federal government?
January 15, 2008
Public Elected Officials: Hispanics Want School Choice
By Israel Ortega
Here's a suggestion for a New Year's resolution for politicians -- listen to Hispanic Americans who support school choice. It's an issue of paramount importance to our country's children, and an issue where politicians' seem to be well behind the curve.
2007 Commentary
December 18, 2007
Read the Fine Print
By Israel Ortega
With the joyous holiday season upon us, it's easy to get wrapped up into writing a long wish list. But Santa's not the only one eager to grant wishes this year.
December 11, 2007
Hurting or Helping?
By Israel Ortega
In the House of Representatives' spirited rush out the door for Thanksgiving break, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus claimed it scored a victory for the Hispanic community recently. How? By striking down a measure that would have allowed the Salvation Army to require its employees to understand basic English.
November 21, 2007
Congress' Dirty Secret
By Israel Ortega
German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck once quipped, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” Well, that was true in the 19th century and its true today. This Congress' spending spree is enough to make anyone’s stomach churn.
November 03, 2007
Cuba at the Crossroads
By Israel Ortega
A critical power of the presidency is the ability to shine a spotlight on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. So, thanks to President Bush's October 23rd speech on Cuba and Fidel Castro's deteriorating health, it’s not surprising that the issue is generating more discussion and drawing more ink in our daily newspapers.
November 02, 2007
The Do-Nothing Congress
By Israel Ortega
The final minute of a New York Red Bulls game, the ninth inning in a Yankees game, the last 30 seconds of a Knicks game -- what do all these things have in common with the current Congress? Well, lawmakers have only a short time left to fulfill one of its chief responsibilities – pass twelve appropriations bills to keep our government running. The pressure is on. Will Congress get the job done?
October 12, 2007
Children: The New Political Prop
By Israel Ortega
It was quite the spectacle the other day in front of the White House. Children as young as seven turned up to protest, begging the president not to veto an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or S-CHIP. But their pleas fell on deaf ears, and the veto happened anyway.
September 25, 2007
Who do We Listen To?
By Israel Ortega
With the eyes of the nation watching, General David Petraeus recently delivered a sobering report on Iraq to members of Congress. And yet, even before he'd said a word, many Americans had already made up their minds. Unfortunately, many of these Americans are our elected officials tasked with the unique responsibility of looking out for our best interests. It's sad that, even with this critical issue, too many can't set politics aside for the sake of our country and its citizens.
September 25, 2007
Hispanic Children, Getting Left Behind
By Israel Ortega
Don’t let the title of the bill fool you (the No Child Left behind Act). If Congress moves forward with this measure, many Hispanic children will indeed be left behind.
September 01, 2007
How Poor are the Poor?
By Israel Ortega
"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer." It's a common catchphrase many Americans use to describe our economy. Politicians often repeat the phrase. Not too long ago, former Sen. John Edwards gained notoriety for claiming there are, "Two Americas -- one for the rich and one for the poor."
August 17, 2007
Hispanic Voters - Why We?re Not all Alike
By Israel Ortega
As the fastest growing minority population in the United States, the Hispanic-American electorate will play a critical role in upcoming elections. In fact, it’s likely that at this very moment someone is crunching numbers, trying to determine how best to attract Hispanic-American voters for their respective political party. But could it be that there is no magic formula to win the Hispanic vote?
August 02, 2007
Immigration reform: the need for upholding our national language
By Matthew Spalding and Israel Ortega
With the most expansive immigration and naturalization overhaul in the past 40 years languishing in Congress, it is worth pausing to reflect on the wise words of Alexis de Tocqueville: "The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind."
June 29, 2007
I Don't Need Your Hot Soup
By Israel Ortega
Today's politicians continue to treat immigrants -- illegal as well as legal -- more or less like a giant herd of ethnic, voting cattle rather than free-thinking individuals. And often the media help propagate this dehumanizing view.
November 20, 2009
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