There are a number of dynamic and informative sites on the Web that focus on Latino issues. But a brand-new site, PRESENTE.org, aims to become the preeminent powerhouse of Latino online organization and political action. From Presente.org's announcement:

Latinos have long been a driving force behind the economy of the United States, but we have yet to speak with a unified political voice that forces our government to do right by all of us. We can and starting today, with your help, we will.

That's why we're launching Presente.org. Our goal is to create a broad-based online community of Latinos and our allies strong enough to make the United States honor its promises and protect our people. We're starting with immigration, but we won't stop there -- we'll provide you with ongoing opportunities to make change on the issues that most affect our communities. Source - Presente.org

It's a new effort, so who knows what will happen. Still, I signed up yesterday and I'll tell you why. The struggle for jobs, educational opportunities and accessible health care should not pit African American people against Latino people. And to those who complain that Latino people, even people who've crossed the border illegally, are "stealing" the jobs of black people, I say to you no one can steal a job.

An employer has to take that job away from one person and give it to another person. And if one business on the block is driven to close by another business on the block that utilizes underpaid labor to cut costs, and charges customers artificially low prices, who should be the target of our anger? The target of our anger should be the employer who is getting away with breaking the law by paying less-than-legal wages to employees who work without any of the basic protections American workers are entitled to.

Let me give you an example. The other day, a white construction contractor called in to a conservative radio show. He said he didn't hire blacks anymore because when black employees would get injured on the job, they would file workers' compensation claims. But, he said, "When Mexican workers get hurt, I just take them to the hospital and pay the bill. That's the end of it." Think about that for a minute. The end of "it" for whom? And when challenged on his employment practices by the radio host, the contractor then went on to say, "Well, I don't hire 'em. I pay a subcontractor and he pays 'em. I can't control who he picks." It is this I stand against. And the only way employers like this one will be stopped is to ensure that everyone who works on American soil has the same protections and obligations, including paying taxes and contributing to Social Security.

Read more about Presente.org