The Hispanic Leadership Network in Doral!

 The Hispanic Leadership Network and CNN co-host the Republican Presidential Debate at The Inspiring Action Conference held at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

By Daniel A. Espinosa, Esq

The Hispanic Leadership Network (“HLN”) held its national “Inspiring Action” conference at Doral Golf & Spa from January 26-27, 2012.  The two-day event conference featured uplifting messages from some our nation’s top Republican leaders.  The conference was a tremendous success and came at a perfect time—a time when our country continues to face fiscal uncertainty and a disillusioned electorate.  Upon the conclusion of the conference, it was obvious that many of the attendees left with a renewed sense of optimism.

The Conference started on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Doral’s Champion’s Pavilion with an evening reception to “celebrar nuestra comunidad.”  The reception was followed by an encouraging speech from former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, who reminded all Americans that we control our own destiny.  Following Governor Bush’s speech, CNN covered the Republican Presidential Debate live from the watch party at Doral.  Then the fireworks began.  But rather than seeing the beautiful fireworks that can illuminate a dark, winter night, the crowed was treated to an uglier display where politicians took continuous jabs at each other and focused on petty politics rather than addressing on the real issues facing our nation.  Notwithstanding, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum all offered interesting perspectives and comments on various topics such as immigration, tax reform, healthcare reform, and the economy, while Ron Paul interjected his comic relief by suggesting that Americans should “send politicians to the moon.”

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Debate was when the presidential contenders were asked how their religious beliefs would affect their decision-making as president.  Rick Santorum provided the best response: “our country is based on God-given rights, not government given rights.  Faith will affect my decision making.  Those who say faith has nothing to do with it are wrong; faith has everything to do with it.”  Santorum’s statement was not only a breath of fresh air in an otherwise contentious debate, but also it exemplified the true purpose of the supreme law of our land—the Constitution of the United States of America.  Our Constitution was established to protect God-given rights: we are one nation under GOD.  Indeed, that’s what makes America different from every other country in the world.  No other country’s principles were founded upon God-given rights, but only government-given rights.  Our current president believes our rights are given to us by the government, which means the government “dictates” when and how rights are are given and taken away.  Make no mistake, government in America was instituted not only to maintain order, but also to protect God-given rights.

Day two of the conference was even more phenomenal.  Those present at the conference included Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Marco Rubio, to name a few.  Each presented great speeches.  But in my humble opinion, there was no better speech than that of United States Senator, Marco Rubio.  The Senator made it clear that those of us in the conservative movement draw our strength not only from the laws of man, but through the laws of God.  He reiterated that our nation was founded on spiritual principles, and that our adherence to those principles has showered great blessings upon America.

Although he recognized that the Constitution and our laws are important, Senator Rubio stated: “we live our lives with the knowledge that there is a higher law yet.  We are great because we have been blessed by God.  America is great because it has maintained that all human beings are endowed by God their creator with rights.  That the source of those rights is not your king or your president, your laws or your government, but that you are born with them.”  You have the chance to be or become anything you wish regardless of where you were born or whether your last name ends in a vowel.  In fact, “without immigration, there will be no America,” said Senator Rubio.  As a Cuban American, the Senator’s words resonated with me, especially since my family left everything in Cuban for Freedom and their religious beliefs.  I firmly believe that where we came from is important, but even more important is living a noble life with sound morals and principles.

America is the land of opportunity for everyone, and it has remained such for the past 225 years.  If this century is to be an American century, the only way to achieve that is by distancing ourselves from our current liberal, ever-growing government, and moving closer to our conservative principles of limited government and freedom for all.  America is the country that gives everyone hopes and dreams.  It’s a nation where you can work hard to provide for your family and their future, and it’s the place where every person can pursue their dreams.

There is no question that 2012 is absolutely critical for America.  Similarly, there is little doubt that the Hispanic community will be vital in deciding who will be the person to steer our country in the right direction.  The Conference made me keenly aware of this notion, and I felt compelled to communicate that.  Otherwise stated, the Conference instilled in me a renewed desire to make a difference and become more active in the Hispanic community.  As such, I encourage Doral’s Hispanic community to join me in helping our nation regain strength, prosperity, and opportunity consistent with HLN’s mission.

HLN is an advocacy group focused on engaging the Hispanic community on conservative policies based on the principles of freedom, limited government, and individual empowerment.  Essentially, HLN serves as the forum for conservative, Hispanic advocates across the country whose goal is to restore opportunity and prosperity in America; and, the Inspiring Action conference made that crystal clear. Because Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States, it is essential that Hispanics voice their opinions loud and clear.  For if we let this critical moment in our nation’s history pass by without inspiration and action, we risk losing the very values that make America great.  Our future is in our hands—it’s up to us.

Daniel A. Espinosa, Esq., is the founding partner of ESPINOSA | JOMARRON, a full-service law firm in Miami’s Midtown area.  For more information, you can e-mail him at info@ejtrial.com.  Feedback, comments, and questions are welcomed.