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Keyes won't back down on reparations
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 8/19/04 | SCOTT FORNEK

Posted on 08/19/2004 5:27:04 AM PDT by kattracks

His voice rising to a yell, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Alan Keyes told a bipartisan civic group Wednesday he "will not budge" from his belief that descendants of slaves should be exempted from income taxes to help heal the wounds of past discrimination and segregation.

The former presidential candidate disdainfully brushed aside questions over whether his suggestion should apply to rich African Americans such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan or Oprah Winfrey.

"Do you know how many Oprah Winfreys there might have been running around in the 1930s or in the 1920s or in the 19-teens that got nowhere because the doors were shut in their face?" Keyes thundered. "If you think that because I wear a conservative label, I have forgotten that history and am not mindful of that injustice -- then I will tell you now that you are wrong."

Keyes delivered his blistering defense at a luncheon of the City Club of Chicago, scolding fellow conservatives who challenged his proposal and evoking the struggle of his African-American parents, saying they had talent and "hearts and spirit and strength and faith."

"Why didn't they get to a point where they could stand on this platform?" Keyes aked.

Vying against Democrat Barack Obama, Keyes drew heat from conservatives earlier this week when he proposed exempting descendants of slaves from income taxes for a generation or two, a view he insists "involves a traditionally Republican, conservative and market-oriented approach."

On Wednesday, Keyes ridiculed the fuss over his position, saying it is simply a tax break, something "Republicans and my conservative brethren" don't object to when applied to a "wealthy corporation."

Conservative activist Jack Roeser met with Keyes for what Roeser called "a long argument and an intense one" over the issue before the speech. A Barrington businessman, Roeser said he still is not sold on Keyes' reparations proposal, but still plans to support him anyway. "I will tell my friends that this is a good man, and we should support him."



TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: keyes; reparations
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To: cicero's_son
Now you're worrying about deficits???

Well, I wasn't referring to the budget deficit as a whole, just that deficit in revenues that would result from exempting from taxation a large number of current taxpayers. Maybe it seems old-fashioned, but I believe that if you exempt large numbers of current taxpayers from taxation, you will have to tax others more than you would otherwise have to tax them to raise the same amount of money.

I'll bet that doesn't really mystify you, does it? ;-)

501 posted on 08/19/2004 1:38:47 PM PDT by Scenic Sounds (Sí, estamos libres sonreír otra vez - ahora y siempre.)
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To: Don Joe
What's the politically correct term for someone who comes up with a MORONIC idea, and then makes it into the centerpiece of his political career?

That's an exaggeration. The media is making it the centerpiece because they think they can bash him with it among conservatives. Some folks, good little media sheep that they are, fall for it hook-line-and-sinker.

It may be a bad idea, but it's not the center-piece of his political career by a long shot.
502 posted on 08/19/2004 1:38:51 PM PDT by Antoninus (Abortion; Euthanasia; Fetal Stem Cell Research; Human Cloning; Homo Marriage - NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES)
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To: Antoninus
And I bet Medved would too.

I don't think so. You should tune in - he implied the contrary, actually, and it's much more than a disagreement. He really thinks Keyes is an embarrassment to the Republican Party.

He also said the taking of campaign funds for salary was illegal. That I didn't know...is that true?

503 posted on 08/19/2004 1:40:53 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Some of my best friends are white, middle-class males.)
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To: Don Joe
Some advice: slow down, breathe, and don't assume that everyone is out to get you.

Now, to clarify...you just wrote:

"I did not say selective..." (emphasis added)

Then you went on to quote yourself: "You're damn straight I'll oppose any selective tax break..." (again, emphasis added)

In other words, I quoted you...directly. Don't worry, though, I don't need an apology from you. After all, we're all big boys and girls here, aren't we?

504 posted on 08/19/2004 1:42:27 PM PDT by cicero's_son
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To: tame
One thing you and I agree on is that favoritism for blacks is a stupid idea...even when Keyes suggests it.

I supported him for YEARS. I argued with people to vote for him until I was blue in the face. That era ended yesterday.

But, generally, he is on the side of the angels.

So was Lucifer, if you will recall.

No, I did NOT equate the two, so step away from the keyboard slowly.

I merely pointed out that being on the right side for a long time doesn't count for much if you cross over to the wrong side.

505 posted on 08/19/2004 1:42:32 PM PDT by Don Joe (We've traded the Rule of Law for the Law of Rule.)
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To: Don Joe
Sort of like the way the Dems did the same thing with the Great Society?

Not exactly. The "Great Society" was a largely successful attempt to buy minority votes with taxpayer-funded handouts. This is Keyes's attempt to pry those same votes away with tax cuts rather than hand-outs. The only people who receive the benefits of tax cuts are those who work. It's the exact opposite of the Great Society fraud, in fact.
506 posted on 08/19/2004 1:43:14 PM PDT by Antoninus (Abortion; Euthanasia; Fetal Stem Cell Research; Human Cloning; Homo Marriage - NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES)
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To: Scenic Sounds
Maybe it seems old-fashioned, but I believe that if you exempt large numbers of current taxpayers from taxation, you will have to tax others more than you would otherwise have to tax them to raise the same amount of money.

Who says we need to raise the same amount of money.

I am for the government raising less money.

507 posted on 08/19/2004 1:45:27 PM PDT by cicero's_son
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet

Don't know whether this has already been mentioned regarding reparations, but if someone is part white/yellow/brown AND part black, would that disqualify one from receiving any reparations? I mean, who knows? Maybe I have some African-American ancestors I don't know about. Assuming reparations were to come to fruition, would I qualify?


508 posted on 08/19/2004 1:45:40 PM PDT by Max7
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To: Scenic Sounds
Well, I think that's just part of that infallibility image that others have unfairly imposed on him.

Yeah, I don't know what's scarier -- that the True Believers break out the pitchforks and torches when anyone suggests the emperor is naked, or the emperor, who really truly believes in the beauty of his invisible threads.

I do know that the constant anklebiting from the "it MUST be right, because ALAN suggested it" crew is starting to get tiresome. I'm about ready to tune out.

I bet a lot of IL voters are gonna tune out too.

509 posted on 08/19/2004 1:45:52 PM PDT by Don Joe (We've traded the Rule of Law for the Law of Rule.)
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To: Poohbah
LG's proposal re: amnesty was sarcastic in the extreme.

May have been. But they made a good point without him even meaning to.
510 posted on 08/19/2004 1:46:05 PM PDT by Antoninus (Abortion; Euthanasia; Fetal Stem Cell Research; Human Cloning; Homo Marriage - NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES)
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To: WillRain; cicero's_son

1.800.555.1776? That's from memory. (He's not SAYING it, and I can't find it on the KRLA or KTTH sites, nor can I find it on michaelmedved.com. Arrrgh!)


511 posted on 08/19/2004 1:46:28 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Some of my best friends are white, middle-class males.)
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet

"Keyes is an embarrassment to the Republican Party."



certainly beginning to look like it, if he doesn't back down on the race based tax cuts.

whodathunkit?


512 posted on 08/19/2004 1:47:18 PM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (the madridification of our election is now officially underway.)
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To: cicero's_son
So you oppose the tax cut for descendents of slaves?

No. But the way Keyes framed it was misleading. I know he wants to abolish the income tax--take us ALL out from under the yoke of the slave tax. It's just that he seemed to be parsing his words too much.

He has my total support. I voted for him during the 200 primary and I even wrote his name in on my ballot during this LAST primary. But we can support him without defending everything he says.

513 posted on 08/19/2004 1:49:51 PM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet

He also said the taking of campaign funds for salary was illegal. That I didn't know...is that true?



Never heard it was illegal.... ethically or maybe morally not prudent... Everything I've read or heard said it was legit...


514 posted on 08/19/2004 1:49:53 PM PDT by deport (Please Flush the Johns......)
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To: Max7

I don't know. That part of the plan hasn't been revealed, I guess.


515 posted on 08/19/2004 1:50:30 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Some of my best friends are white, middle-class males.)
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To: cicero's_son
Who says we need to raise the same amount of money.

I am for the government raising less money.

Well, that's a whole different topic, but at some point a decision must be made about how much should be raised. And, when you make that decision, no matter what that number may be, it has to be divided among taxpayers. The fewer the number of taxpayers, the more on average each will have to pay.

They just tell you it's more complicated than that. ;-)

516 posted on 08/19/2004 1:50:40 PM PDT by Scenic Sounds (Sí, estamos libres sonreír otra vez - ahora y siempre.)
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
LOL - yeah, sure thing.
DOAIJV: "Yo, Medved -- 'tame' wants on. Says he'll let you debate him, in the studio!"

Medved: "You serious? You for real?"

DOAIJV: "Uh uh!"

Medved: "I was afraid of that. OK, I'll, um, see what I can do, OK? What's your location? I'm gonna switch you to the control room, give them your address."

Medved [hitting the cough-key], voice coming out of the squakbox in the control room: "Hey, someone, NOW, drop what you're doing, call 911, FAST!"

Um, my unsolicited advice? Let "tame" find his own booking agent. LOL!
517 posted on 08/19/2004 1:51:03 PM PDT by Don Joe (We've traded the Rule of Law for the Law of Rule.)
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To: Antoninus
You say that we're too stupid to grasp Keyes's brilliance, but you're too dense to see the obvious sarcasm.

Yep...Keyes attracts the best of them.
518 posted on 08/19/2004 1:51:22 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez (Sin Patria, pero sin amo)
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To: deport

Maybe Medved was wrong about that...no one has called to correct him, but - maybe someone will.


519 posted on 08/19/2004 1:51:25 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Some of my best friends are white, middle-class males.)
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To: Don Joe; tame

He calls him "Michael". Michael calls him "SECURITY!!!" ; )


520 posted on 08/19/2004 1:52:42 PM PDT by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Some of my best friends are white, middle-class males.)
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