Published on February 15, 2021 13:45
Despite its position as the party that “freed the slaves”, Republicans have been struggling to win over black voters.
The only black senator is Tim Scott of South Carolina, a conservative Christian and now an important Republican voice.
In last November’s election, a record 26 black women were elected to Congress – all Democrats. Of the 58 black Americans at the 117th Congress, 56 are Democrats, with Byron Donalds of Florida and Burgess Owens of Utah being the only Republicans.
As a pro-Second Amendment Republican, Donalds hardly fits the party and liberal media stereotype for a black Democrat. But since taking office last month, his voice has definitely become known to all Democrats and politicians in the establishment.
A recent tweet of how he rejects the concept of systemic racism immediately puts him in conflict with black Democratic congressmen, many who want a thorough review of the country’s police. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday last month, Donalds told how the civil rights leader remained strong in challenging and controversial times, using peace and the power of words to fight for equality for all.
Using his own life as an example, Donalds said that King’s movement allowed all Americans access to the American dream, regardless of race. Born in downtown Brooklyn, the son of a single mother, Donalds majored in finance and marketing at Florida State before turning to politics and winning elections for the most powerful legislative body in the world.
In his speech on the first floor of the House earlier this month, Donalds detailed why conservative states, including his own Florida, have much lower unemployment than “progressive” states.
As for state and local governments that are having major revenue problems due to the COVID-19 outages, Donalds said the simplest answer is simply to allow companies to reopen. He warns that the Democrats’ strategy of presenting a massive spending bill – and throwing money at the problem – will not stabilize or grow the economy.
“If you want to encourage something, let the American people get back to work. Let them run their business and you will be amazed at what really (will happen) in our economy, ”said Donalds.
Donalds wondered why Florida residents should pay to rescue liberally governed states like New York and California. He joked that the only thing New York has done positively for Florida is to help the housing markets, which are now benefiting from the exodus from poorly managed, highly taxed states and moving south.
Donalds argues that injecting stimulus money through a budget resolution is not about economics, COVID-19 or helping to reopen schools.
It is pure politics, as was Donald Trump’s last impeachment effort, which ended last weekend in his acquittal.
In education, Donalds believes that the reopening of schools also depends on leadership. He said that while the federal government can distribute $ 170 billion in incentives to local school districts, it does not guarantee its reopening if union teachers refuse to return to their classrooms.
As for the COVID-19 vaccinations, Donalds said that the launch of the vaccine vigorously put into action by President Trump was on track to reopen the economy before the Biden government took over.
Donalds also criticized liberal Democrats and the press for criticizing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conservative colleague, for things said in the past, but for which she apologized. Donalds does not agree with Greene’s previous statements, but is upset by the double standard of the media when he allows a radical Democrat like Congressman Ilhan Omar, who has not yet apologized for his radical and vile comments as a member of Congress, to wander through him .
Donalds and Burgess Owens know that, as black congressmen with strong conservative Christian beliefs, they face an uphill battle with fellow liberals. While willing to reach out to anyone in Congress, they will not, however, retreat to those who try to undermine the fundamental Judeo-Christian beliefs that support their values.
During this period of Black History Month, his struggle is no different from that which Dr. King fought as a lone voice of faith and reason during the chaotic 1960s.
By Jim Zbick | [email protected]