Posted on 09/24/2009 11:39:35 AM PDT by raybbr
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Monday said his party must take steps to win over black voters, and he faulted both Democrats and the GOP for failing to address poverty.
Speaking at a historically black college near downtown Little Rock, Steele said Republicans and Democrats need to address poverty in discussions ranging from health care to environmental issues.
"Dr. King would be disappointed in the political leadership of this country for failing to address the least of us," Steele, who is the first African-American head of the RNC, told an audience of more than 500 people at Philander Smith College.
Steele offered few proposals on how Republicans or Democrats could help address poverty, instead blaming both parties for not talking about the issue enough.
"We've all screwed it up because we focused on the wrong things," Steele said. "At some point, we've got to focus on the right things and those right things start with the people who are concerned about what their tomorrow is going to look like."
Steele also acknowledged that many African-Americans are frustrated with his party and said the GOP must reach out to the black community to remedy the situation. He said the party would need to take "baby steps" to win over black voters.
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Mikey, the best way for government to address poverty is to stay out of the way so private enterprise can create jobs AND to revoke any and every form of welfare to anyone who is capable of doing any kind of job. (Those who are truly incapable of working would qualify for social security disability.)
There will be yet another government program to take money from those who are working and give it to those who won't so they can stay warm. It's the compassionate thing to do, you know.
(Hope I don't need a sarc tag.)
Instead of complaining, get off your ass and do something about it. Write letters, call your representatives, hold meetings of like minded conservatives to seek out and support conservative candidates, etc. Just don’t QUIT!!
The more you pander to poverty the more poverty you have.
It’s the “if you build it they will come syndrome”
GOP hasn’t done enough? What about low taxes, support for private industry, opportunity, capitalism, and good stuff like that? There is the best cure for poverty.
The problem is that government has been addressing poverty for far too long. The government needs to step back and just maintain order. And let people be free.
225+ years ago folks had MUCH less than we do today and founding fathers did not address “poverty”. The problem is that today people have become envious, jealous ingrates and demand more , more, more of what is not theirs. Poverty in America is so insignificant. But don’t worry, the “compassionate” will rectify that real soon. Enough talk about poverty and not having this or that. People need to be grateful for what they do have.
Not to mention the welfare reform of the 90’s that “encouraged” a lot of “poor” people to get off their asses, thus reducing “poverty” and creating self sufficient people!
Which side is this fool on?
Sheesh!
Agreed. The late, great, Dr. Samuel Johnson put it this way:
How small of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure.
In the main, very true. After a certain maturation process we are the architects of our own success or failure. But to a liberal, all we need to do is tweak the economy. Utter nonsense!
Yes it means you're a good conservative if you feel that, and by that yardstick I must be a great conservative.... ; )
Note to Michael Steele:
Unless you have been hiding in a cave for the past 45+++ years, there has been trillions of dollars taken from working Americans and GIVEN to ‘povery-stricken’ Americans.
Subsequently, there is now a much larger group of lazy-ass persons who have spent their entire lives skirting work and getting some sort of ‘assistance’.
Every kind of “disability” is cause for a free handout. Drink too much? Get SSI.
Use drugs and refuse to change? Get SSI.
Spend a lifetime making yourself un-employable? Get SSI
Refuse to show up on time for any job? Refuse to do the job? Get SSI.
SSI is handed out to every lazy-=ass low-life who can scam the system, and it just is NOT that hard to scam the system.
There is a life-long felon/registered sex-offender who lives in this valley.
Cannot get a job because of life-long felon behavior.
Cannot hold the simple jobs he does get because within days, he is demanding MUCH more money (with no experience), and is telling the boss how the job OUGHT to be done. Gets fired.
Thinks he is ENTITLED to a job that pays at least $30 per hour. He hardly knows which end of the shovel to hold, and he is very beligerant.
This POS is getting food stamps and I think it is a disgrace.
It is his own behavior which keeps him from working. Why should we pay for his ffod stamps?
He spends most of his time in the seediest bars in the area, and always seems to have gas and drinking money.
Not working- so must be selling those food stamps for gas and drinking money.
Here is how to beat poverty. Finish High School at the least....don’t have any children until you are married.....and ask JESUS for His help, and THANK HIM every time He does! And give some of your hard earned money to CHARITY.
If the American people are waiting for republicans to save them from Hussein and his communist, America hating string-pullers........
Question Jerk Off GOP Conman when exactly was the last time you saw a skinny Woman cashing welfare Checks at the grocery store??? WHEN ??
Actually Rush doesn’t say that. He says the the dimwits are the main problem, and you have to admit they are. Steele is an a**hat that needs to be thrown out of the party. You have never heard Rush rip the RINOs, in particular McCain?
Steels should just step down..I am disillusioned with the GOP. They want our money..but they don’t want to listen and sure don’t want to follow the platform of the party.
He SHOULD say - “we address poverty every time we oppose Democrats economic policies.”
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you know, GOP should try to use languages supporting of the poor more often. e.g Stop the over taxing the poor. This happens when democrats increase taxes on the so called rich, all these have an effect on the poor salary and higher cost of buying stuff. Another way Democrats tax the poor is via inflation. They print so much money because they spend so much, that everything in the economy cost so much and their paper money worth less
I have heard Rush rip RINO’s. I have also hear him say that the GOP is not the problem. That the GOP is not the one pushing the current bills on the U.S. While that may be true, the GOP of the last decade has been fully complicit in the socialization of the U.S. He will never admit it. In fact, he’s in denial about it.
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