“Real Solutions, not rhetoric”
We are less than a week away from the critical Midterm elections. 29% of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country, while 65% are dissatisfied. In keeping with history, the President’s party nearly always loses seats, and next week will be no different. Americans want more from Congress and the Obama Administration. I know I do.
The common theme in liberal ads has been ‘Republicans are against everything.’
When people tell me that Republicans don’t have any ideas for this country or Black America,
My response is: “That couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Blacks represent 10% of Americans, but unemployment for Black women is 11.6% and has been over 11% for the past six-years of the Obama Presidency. And unfortunately, we are 22 percent of the long-term unemployed. We all know when America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia and the President’s policies have hardly raised the tide for a majority of Black Americans. We have seen the greatest loss of black wealth, housing, and jobs in a generation under this Administration than ever before. Poverty has soared to 16.1% with 8 million little girls and boys growing up in poverty. There is a gap in promises and results.
Almost four-dozen Republican job creating bills are languishing in the Senate. What is the hold up? People need jobs. Small businesses need relief from overregulation and high taxes. Frankly, it is time to get America working again and provide a government that works—and Republicans continue to be ready.
If you only listen to or read ‘Republicans are against everything’ statements without thinking, you might think Republicans are against everything, especially Black America. The truth is that Republicans are for far more than they are against. The evidence is clear, our policies show overwhelmingly how Republican principles support Black America by expanding opportunity. And, we have been doing it for over two centuries.
Earlier this year, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the only Black Republican in Senate presented his Opportunity Agenda. His agenda includes several job creation bills including the SKILLS Act, LEAP Act, and SEA Jobs Act. This legislation addresses high unemployment rates and provide solutions to reduce burdensome regulations and taxes, and increase job creation. Let’s point out that these are three Acts by one Republican Senator.
Last year, Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell introduced the Economic Freedom Zones Act. This legislation helps to bring businesses in distressed areas, create jobs, and increase entrepreneurial opportunities.
Where is the Congressional Black Caucus and Obama Democrats on job-creating policies for our community?
Education is the backbone of our society and considered by many to be the civil rights issue of our generation. School choice advocates believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn regardless of family background, race, zip code, income level or social status.
Black males in the 12th grade read at the same level as their white counterparts in the 8th grade. That is four grade levels behind. We need to look at promising alternatives to close this achievement gap. Contributing to this disparity is the differences in curriculums, learning environments, and opportunities. Republicans have been at the frontlines of expanding these opportunities to our community.
In Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal increased the number of vouchers available for residents. He gave parents and students choices to decide where and how they wanted to learn.
Who could be against that? Well, President Obama and Attorney General Holder took the award for that one. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Jindal, and thankfully, was defeated.
Parents know best what school environment their child needs to succeed. Giving parents and students the choice about where they learn best is empowering and instills hope. School choice is vital to every American having the opportunity to live their American Dream- that no matter where you start, you can attain your goals.
And, let me say this- I am not a purist. I don’t believe that all Blacks have to be Republicans. I am passionate in sharing the conservative principles and values because they work. My life is testament to that. 94% of us vote democratically. However, our neighborhoods and communities continue to be ridden with poverty, high unemployment, lower paying jobs, and less-than-par schools, and when you look around many of our largest cities we see the same ‘ol same ‘ol Democrats in elected office.
Republicans are NOT against everything. Republicans have solutions to address the issues you and I face on a daily basis. Republicans are for job creation. Republicans are for school choice. Republicans are for our community.
Chelsi Henry, Esq is a Florida-based attorney. You can contact her through her official website: www.chelsiphenry.com or tweet her: @chelsiphenry
