Will the Corridor of Shame Remain the Corridor of Shame?

Governor Mark Sanford R-SC has stated that he wants to review the stimulus money before accepting it. According to the State Paper, “Sanford, a Republican, had been noncommittal on whether he would accept the $8 billion in benefits for S.C. that includes money for more unemployment benefits, health care, public schools and tax breaks.” House Majority Whip Congressman Clyburn wrote an amendment in the package allowing state lawmakers to bypass a governor who refuses stimulus money. Many supporters of the President’s Stimulus Package are pushing for some of the money to be allocated to schools in the Corridor of Shame. The Governor’s non-commitment on the stimulus package money has angered many including the House Majority Whip. I believe that the Governor should accept this money. The Corridor Shame has made South Carolina the laughing stock of the country. South Carolina must stand up and help bring this part of the state from the 1850’s to 2009.

With Former Obama Staffers absent in Key Political Positions in the SC Democratic Party and the House Caucus, Will SC go blue in 2010?

President Barack Obama ran the best presidential campaign in the history of America. He was the first democrat to do well in the South since President Jimmy Carter. In SC, the president won the State Democratic Primary and only lost by 9 points during the General Election. This caused a huge frenzy among democrats all across the state. Democrats believe that with the momentum built from the Obama Campaign as well as the volunteer base, SC has a chance of electing a Democratic Governor in 2010 as well as gaining more State House Seats. With all this momentum, some have asked the question, “Why are former Obama Staffers not in key roles to continue this movement?”

A few staffers and former volunteers have run for state and local offices. Former Field Organizer Travis Johnson ran for the State Senate but was unsuccessful. Former Midlands Regional Field Director Kendal Corley ran for Clerk of Court in Columbia and Former Volunteer Leader Pete Skidmore ran for Coroner in York. Both candidates were unsuccessful. Anton Gunn, former Obama Political Director ran successfully for the state house and former volunteer Stephen Wukeula ran successfully for Mayor of Florence. All though the efforts of these individuals are worthy, staffers who worked in the field, faith, and the political department for the campaign during the primary have not been called nor hired to establish a game plan for the 2010 races. I believe that if the party and the caucus does not call upon former staffers from the President’s Campaign, it will be difficult for democrats to take back the Governor’s mansion.

The NAACP Turns 100 Today

The nation's oldes civil rights organization turned 100 years old today. The NAACP was formed partly in response to the continuing horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield, the capital of Illinois and birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln. Appalled at the violence that was committed against blacks, a group of white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard, both the descendants of abolitionists, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice. Some 60 people, seven of whom were African American (including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Mary Church Terrell), signed the call, which was released on the centennial of Lincoln's birth.
Other early members included Joel and Arthur Spingarn, Josephine Ruffin, Mary Talbert, Inez Milholland, Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, Sophonisba Breckinridge, John Haynes Holmes, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Henry White, Charles Edward Russell, John Dewey, William Dean Howells, Lillian Wald, Charles Darrow, Lincoln Steffens, Ray Stannard Baker, and Fanny Garrison Villard.
Echoing the focus of Du Bois' Niagara Movement began in 1905, the NAACP's stated goal was to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, which promised an end to slavery, the equal protection of the law, and universal adult male suffrage, respectively.
The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes. The NAACP established its national office in New York City in 1910 and named a board of directors as well as a president, Moorfield Storey, a white constitutional lawyer and former president of the American Bar Association. The only African American among the organization's executives, Du Bois was made director of publications and research and in 1910 established the official journal of the NAACP, The Crisis. Today lets celebrate this organization for its hard work and dedication to our country. If you would like to join, please visit www.naacp.org

BREAKING NEWS: Senator Judd Gregg R-NH withdraws his name for nomination as Commerce Secretary

Senator Judd Gregg R-NH withdrew his name today for Commerce Secretary. He states that the President and he did not see eye to eye on a number of issues including the Economy Recovery Act. This is just sad and ridiculous. Washington is not a gangster movie with the five mafia families of NY. President Barack Obama is not Michael Corleone. Our government should and must work for the people and by the people. Of course we should not expect Republicans and Democrats to agree on every issue but they should work together. Senator Gregg showed today that he rather serve his party then his country and President.

Did Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Say Enough?

Today was the day that Wall Street was waiting for. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was supposed to unveil the Administration’s Financial Plan. Unfortunately he stated the opposite. Secretary Geithner discussed the gloomy state of our economy, a possible $2Trillion Bail out plan, and how bad our financial system is. He did not, as promised discuss a detailed recovery plan. As a result of this, the Dow Jones dropped 394 points, GM slashed 7,000 jobs world wide, and Wal-mart is laying off workers at their corporate head quarters.

I believe that the Treasury Secretary should have given a more detailed plan today. Our markets are starving for answers from the Administration. I agree with the President and his Economic Recovery Plan; however it is with the greatest urgency that we have a financial plan given to the American People as soon as possible. Homeowners are hurting and if they do not receive help soon, the economy will collapse.

Stimulus Part Deux

Well it seems like the Senate may have a vote on the now $820 Billion Dollar Stimulus Package. But it is not over yet. The bill has to then go back to the House and then back to the Senate. They have to get it together because time is running out.

Is the Media giving President Obama a Chance?

With three appointees with tax problems, a partisan divide on the stimulus bill, and a tanking economy; many in the media are stating that this is not change you can believe in. I believe that the media has to sit down and chill. President Obama has only been in power for two weeks. Rome was not built in a day and change cannot happen over night. He has gone above and beyond to bring in both Democrats and Republicans on this stimulus package. So to all media outlets, give the President a chance!