Thank you for bringing awareness to homelessness and also bringing recognition to the talent, skills and stories of different individuals in the community and involved in this project with this newspaper.
In response to Jeffrey McNeil’s article “Black Conservatism Is the New Progressivism” (Feb. 22, 2016), I agree with his argument that an individual should not have to vote for a certain party just because of their gender, age or color. An individual should vote the party that they feel has the ability to make a positive difference in our country. I also agree that individuals should not put emphasis on their race. The important part is having a president that has the ability to be a strong commander-in-chief.
However, I disagree greatly with Mr. McNeil’s argument that President Barack Obama “makes excuses and blames everyone but himself.” First of all, can you provide some examples that confirm your argument? Obama has not used the “black card” to provide him an advantage to black individuals. In fact, he has been criticized by some who feel he doesn’t use his position as commander-in-chief and his race to help enough in the black community. We have to remember that Obama is the president to all individuals in the U.S., and he is supposed to use his position to provide safety, assistance and service to all people regardless of their position, gender or race. Even though our president is black, he has shown that his ability matters more to him than his race. Have you ever seen this president act complacent?
Personally, I feel that the president has shown himself to be a great leader and commander-in-chief despite the obstacles and challenges he has endured. Instead of conceding and surrendering to those obstacles, he has persevered.
Examples? Sure. The Affordable Care Act, for one. He felt all individuals in America needed affordable health care. There were some who could not afford it and some who could not have it, were not approved or whose health care was terminated. The president signed the Affordable Care Act into law despite the obstacles he faced. (And obstacles still exist).
Second, he passed an executive order to provide some restrictions on gun laws. This was an issue he took to Congress numerous times and was consistently ignored. Instead of conceding, he took matters into his own hands because he felt this was too serious to ignore and wanted to do something.
His agreement with Iran (and other nations on nuclear weapons) is yet another example of his achievements. This was met with challenges and even blatant disrespect from other Republicans, such as Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton. However, the president and other leaders felt a negotiation was in order, and we were not in any position to make a threat or initiate a war (which was what Republicans wanted to do). So far, this has proved to be an effective strategy.
And due to the unfortunate loss of Justice Antonin Scalia, the president wants to immediately nominate a qualified person who can serve in place of Scalia. This has been met with opposition from the Republican presidential candidates and the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). My question is why?
I also feel that the president and the first lady have attempted and succeeded in demonstrating that their positions and authority haven’t made them too aloof to socialize, communicate and establish a relationship with all individuals, regardless of their status.
Personally, I feel that most of the Republicans have shown and confirmed that they are not ready for “prime time” or ready for the presidency. Not because they are not intelligent, because I am sure that they are, but to me, they have conducted their campaigns on their emotions and feelings and not the strength of their ability. To me, they have shown an inability to lead this nation.
Why? Well, one candidate makes broad and brash statements, about which he feels unapologetic and justified in saying, but feels insulted and picked on when someone argues with his words. Most of them have used their platforms to insult and provide negative statements about the other, instead of discussing the positive and their own successes. They feel they have to downgrade someone to lift themselves up. One candidate refused to participate in a debate because he felt he was above that. Then another candidate refused to participate in a Fox News debate because he felt he had issues with one of the moderators.
Tell me, Mr. McNeil, how does this qualify as having leadership abilities? The Republican candidates have made suggestions on what they would do to improve the economy, the nation, but have not provided any evidence on how they would be able to do it. To tell you the truth, Mr. McNeil, talking a good game does not impress me. I want to hear how the candidates are able to go about their ideas and suggestions. To me, these Republicans candidates are the ones who have been making excuses and blaming others, not themselves. Is this who you want to represent the party you choose to vote for?
There’s nothing wrong with a person of color voting Republican, but there’s something wrong with a person of color voting Republican simply because he wants to go against the norm.
Signed,
Point of View
