The Pecan Valley Republican Women on Saturday were addressed by Rafael Cruz. Rev. Cruz, an ordained minister, is the father of United States Senator Ted Cruz, and an evangelist for conservative political values.
Cruz was born and raised in Cuba, and became involved in the revolution led by Fidel Castro. “Everybody thought Castro was a freedom fighter. We had a very oppressive military dictatorship (the Batista regime) that was killing thousands, and Castro looked like a solution to our problems. He was a great, mesmerizing speaker, and we all followed him.” Cruz participated in an underground resistance movement to the Batista regime. “As a result of that, I was imprisoned and tortured. Most of the people who were captured were killed. But God had other plans for my life.”
Cruz said “by the grace of God” he was able to leave Cuba and come to the United States on a student visa, “still thinking Castro was a good guy.” In August 1957 he enrolled in the University of Texas, understanding very little English. He worked as a dishwasher for 50-cents an hour while in college, and was graduated four years later with degrees in Mathematics and Chemical Engineering. While Cruz was in the United States, Castro overthrew the Batista regime in Cuba in 1959. “When I finished my school work and went back to Cuba, I got the shock of my life. That same man (Castro) who was talking about freedom, was now talking about how the rich were evil, about how oppressed the poor were, and about the need to distribute the wealth.” Cruz said he has heard those same words from at least two recent U.S. Presidents.
Cruz now sees parallels between that and some of the political movements today, and he advocates for conservative Republican candidates. “We are fighting for the future of our children, and our children’s children. If we lose this election in 2022 our children and grandchildren will not have a future.” He said the most critical races are in the U.S. Senate, of which the Democrats can take full control if they gain two seats. “If we lose the Senate, America will be destroyed. You will see Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia become states. That’s four more Democratic Senators. You will see the Supreme Court packed with thirteen or maybe fifteen Justices.”
Cruz said there is a new law, HB 1, that has passed the House of Representatives and is waiting in the Senate. If the Democrats gain control of the Senate, HB-1 will pass. “HB-1 will nationalize all elections. All elections will be managed by the Federal Government. No more county or state control. Every person in America will be sent a mail-in ballot. Every illegal (immigrant) in America will be able to vote. All felons will be able to vote. What this amounts to is legalizing voter fraud. We (Republicans) will never win another election, forever. We must understand what is at stake, and we cannot be complacent.”
Cruz also argued that public primary and secondary schools, and most universities, are steeped in Marxist indoctrination. “We cannot allow the government to manipulate the minds of our children, and indoctrinate them in Marxism, which is what is happening in America today.”
Cruz ended on a positive note. “The future will be on our side, I believe, because people are waking up.” But he encouraged everyone to vote. “Don’t be complacent. We have to be in the forefront. We have to fight. We must make sure that every patriot, every American that loves God and loves this country goes to the polls and votes for righteousness. It is up to you and I.”