Bury Me Broken

Russell Simmons Courted by Repubs

From Political Wire, Russell Simmons, the grandfather authority of hip hop and activism is unhappy with Howard Dean:

After a meeting yesterday with RNC chairman Ken Mehlman, Hip Hop mogul and "loyal Democrat" Russell Simmons told the New York Daily News, "When it comes to reaching out to poor people and minorities, I think there's no enthusiasm on Howard [Dean]'s part, while Ken shows a real willingness to listen."

I respect Russell Simmons and I am sure that he has had more face time with Dean than I did but a willingness to look you in your face and go "uh huh, go ahead" in no way translates to the Republican party embracing our community values, attacking poverty in our community, tax cuts affecting Head Start, childen going to bed hungry, No Child Left Behind killing state budgets, legislation making class action lawsuits more difficult, double the unemployment rate for black youth, siding with credit card companies with bankruptcy law, siding with corporations on everything, ad nauseum.

If the Republican party wants to court me, the African American voter, I'm more than happy to listen. However, from what I've heard - their values of tax cuts for the wealthy, legislation for corporations (e.g. the energy bill) and nothing for the blue collar, middle class is a far divide from my values which are driven by Jesus message concerning the poor and what you do for the least, you do for him.

posted by niteskolar @ 6:23 AM