As a student taking exams knows, you never want to peak too soon. You always want to save the best for the exam day. In listening to Majority Whip Clyburn (D. SC) and Congressman Xavier Becerra (D.CA), that’s exactly what the Democrats are doing for the November mid- term election. The Democrats are hitting their stride right now, a few weeks before the mid- terms. That’s exactly what they need to do. Here’s what Majority Whip Clyburn and Congressman Becerra had to say on a recent Center for American Progress Fund conference call.
The facts are now being told by Majority Whip Clyburn in a way easily understood by everyone. For instance, in talking about the GOP pledge, which should be called the Gutting of People pledge, Majority Whip Clyburn clearly made his points. The cutting of Pell grants will affect around 8 million students, most of which are African American and Latino who rely on these grants for a quality education. A quality education should be accessible for everyone not just the rich and affluent. I could not have become an attorney without the use of grants. The GOP Pledge seeks to repeal key portions of the health care law passed earlier this year. Republicans want to eliminate the extension of health care insurance benefits for young adults to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. Why would anyone be opposed to helping young adults get a fresh start? The benefits are extended to allow students the additional time to become employed after college graduation. Acknowledging that we are in bad economic times but yet not wanting to give some relief to young adults seems hypocritical. The Pledge to further gut health care benefits would repeal pre-existing health conditions of children. So, if your child has a pre-existing condition, the GOP wants them eliminated from your health insurance.
Republicans don’t want to just gut health care benefits but gut jobs too. The GOP Pledge would eliminate 1 million jobs from the job market while everyone knows unemployment is high. Cutting 1 million jobs would further increase the 16% black unemployment and 12% Latino unemployment. The unemployment of blacks in some areas reaches 35%. Imagine what unemployment will soar to if the Republicans carry out their pledge to gut jobs. Republicans fail to acknowledge that 790,000 jobs were lost in the same month George Bush handed over the keys to the country to President Obama, according to Clyburn. A report from the Center for American Progress Fund details how the GOP intends to further bootstrap minorities and the country.
The Democrats are not only stressing what the Republicans are pledging to do. They are clearly and plainly telling their own story. Majority Whip Clyburn compared their efforts to a down payment on a house. President Obama has paid the down payment on the house and now we need to do our part to keep us on track with the rest of the payment. In a clear tone, Rep. Clyburn said we need to protect what the Democrats have done so far. Tangling a carrot, he says if we do, some of those things left out, like the public option, could become a reality. Majority Whip Clyburn stressed the Democrats kept their promise. Will the Republicans keep their promise to gut the people of America? I hope we don’t get the chance to find the answer.
Washington, DC based Debbie Hines, Esq. writes on race, law and politics. She holds a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a native of Baltimore, MD.
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