As the ENTIRE nation is suffering from job loss, the Congressional Black Caucus made a political move by boycotting a House vote on financial reform.
I understand the concern about the disproportionate percentage of unemployment among African-Americans. Recent statistics show unemployment at 10.2% nationwide, while the percentage among African-Americans is close to 16%.
Something needs to be done about both numbers. Many, many people need jobs.
I understand the need to look at why minorities always have a higher percentage of unemployment, but now we have a national emergency due to joblessness. We need ALL Americans to get back to work.
So, with political pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus, President Obama stepped up and said the right thing.
"I will tell you that I think the most important thing I can do for the African-American community is the same thing I can do for the American community, period, and that is get the economy going again and get people hiring again," the president told the Free Press and USA Today.
I don't usually agree with President Obama's politics but I feel proud of the United States for electing an African-American president. While he is our first African-American president, he is the president first and President Obama must do what is best for the entire country.
The Congressional Black Caucus issued this statement:
"We can no longer afford for our public policy to be defined by the world view of Wall Street," members of the caucus said in a statement Wednesday. "Policy for the least of these must be integrated into everything that we do."
If you could pin the use of "Wall Street" to a particular business, that business would have a good case for a libel lawsuit. The statement basically is calling "Wall Street" a bunch of racists.
That kind of accusation is not needed. What we need is responsible leaders doing responsible things. Not making threats like California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters made when she said the Caucus could use its influence close votes.
That's nice. If Waters and her cronies don't get their way, they will sabotage legislation. Hmmm...sounds like what the Democrats have been accusing Republicans of doing since President Obama took over.
The Congressional Black Caucus can serve a good purpose but making threats is no way to do business.
President Obama may not have all the answers. In fact, I don't agree with most of the answers he offers for the country's problems. I may not even agree with his future plans to create job growth, but I think looking out for ALL Americans is a good thing.
