GOP Wait and See What Happens With Healthcare Bill

The Healthcare debate is over. The bill is passed. President Obama has signed it into law. But long lives the wait and see what happens.

If Democrats are right and this bill does not prove to be the monster of socialism that the Republicans decry it is, then there may be trouble in the days to come for those who opposed it.

Clearly there was a slighting of Republican input as the politics as usual tactics this time were used by Democrats. I say this time, because history shows, both sides have used the same legislative rule gimmicks to pass legislation. Just so happen that this may have been the political maneuvering of the century, since it involved one of the most significant pieces of legislation since the Civil Rights era. Then again, the GOP decided to shun partisanship in the beginning with a power play to break the President, which is always dangerous politics; especially if it backfires and voters see it as petty and too partisan.

But if it does have a negative impact, then it may spell doom for some within the Democratic Party as they face fierce opposition at the polls. Whether the Republican opposition is enough to unseat Democrats is something which is left to voters.

States also have geared up for an envisioned fight over state rights vs. federal rights, which may lead to an even fierce constitutional battle.

Regardless of what side you are on, there is one thing that is sure. There are 32,000 million people in American who need to be insured, and for them, this may be already seeing, rather than waiting to see. Coverage for them makes the difference between life and death, good or poor health. If the Healthcare Reform is a mistake, I am sure they would rather see Congress err on the side of passage, rather than nothing at all.

Also by incorporating the Student Loan piece within the bill, there are millions of college students who stand to benefit greatly as it relates to student loans. For them it means a better shot now at affording college.

Although it still is not clear what all is in the tea, so far the healthcare debate is kept hot on the burner by those who call this a government takeover, as they brew and continue sipping on their own brand of political tea.

As for the Republican Party, we may want to cool off a bit, choose to sip on a cup of coffee, and wait and see what happens before we fan a fire which may shift winds and turn in our paths.

To reach the NRAAC national chair:

Jean Howard-Hill
nraachowardhill@gmail.com
jean.howard.hill@gmail.com

[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has serves as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus.

She has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the "Democracy In Action" Program, which was a civics program taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.]

The National Republican African-American Caucus is an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, it seeks to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics.

More information on the NRAAC can be found at:

http://www.nraacaucus.org; http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social Issue Network (members only); http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]; http://youthonthehorizons.blogspot.com [NRAAC Youth on the Horizons Blog]; http://the-twig.blogspot.com [NRAAC New Generation-New Direction Blog]; and
http://theblackolivebranch.blogspot.com [NRAAC National Chair's Blog]. Each State Caucus can be accessed by state. See related links at http://www.nraacaucus.org/index_files/Page816.htm. Also can be found on the RNC group page at http://our.gop.com/Groups/National_Republican_African-American_Caucus_NRAAC.

Time to Speak Out on President Obama's Campaign of Change

President Obama campaigned on the notion of "change" and "partisan cooperation". This is no doubt what caused him to be elected. Advocating for such change was so potent that it etched itself within the pillars of history, as it swept across racial and even partisan lines to elect the first African American president. For that moment in time, there was hope and a sense of a new direction for America, along with a belief that he would be the one to bring about that change. Now in 2010, a little over one year of the President being elected, we see very little change and an even more partisan Washington.

Some may say that it is because Republicans are not willing to work with the President. As an organization, for the first year, we reserved our opinion, with a willingness to give President Obama the opportunity and time to bring about that change and to involve both parties. But now, we feel that it is time to speak out.

We are deeply saddened that we have seen very little change. Instead, we have seen a continuation of the same political mockery which has caused many to believe that our national government is broken and in need of serious repair. Not all of the blame is on the President. However, because he campaigned on a platform to go to Washington and to take us (all Americans) with him to bring about change, he took on a task which now we expect for him to fulfill or at least show signs that he is making an effort.

The Healthcare Reform Bill lent itself as the perfect opportunity for the President to bring together Congress and the Executive Branch to produce a meaningful bill that deals with reforms in healthcare. But this has not happened. The first mistake the President made was that he did not begin with his own creation of the bill. A strong executive branch is one that carefully crafts its own proposed legislation, and then offers it up to Congress with a strong and compelling reason for the legislative branch of government to get it passed. This was not done. Instead, the President adopted the version of the bill crafted by Democrats. That was the beginning of a breach in both his promises for change and for partisan cooperation.

Had the President allowed input from both parties in the beginning, budget reconciliation would not have to be a last resort to getting a Healthcare Bill passed. Republicans in Congress have every right to be disappointed. It also is understandable why they have felt left out and that this is a Democratic bill that has been stuffed down their throats. Many of the points of disagreement could have been resolved had both parties been at the table from the beginning. Had they not agreed on what the people felt should have been in the bill, then the blame would have fallen equally upon both parties.

To add insult to injury, were the Democrats Only - closed door meetings. Granted this is something in which both parties are guilty of doing, but this President said once elected, he would urge things be done differently. No he does not control how Congress conducts its legislative business. Our system of checks and balances is supposed to prevent one branch of government from controlling and dipping into the affairs of another. However to have spoken up and at least chided his own party for such practices would have given the President an edge on credibility that would have moved him further along on his campaign of change and partisan cooperation.

Then to have taken to task openly, the Supreme Court during a State of the Union Address, again was a misstep in keeping his promise, which widened even further the partisan divide. It not only widened, but it added an unnecessary layer of embarrassment to the highest court of the land. This is a no, no. While millions heard his chide, and watched it being cheered on by Democrats, this made working the partisan isles of not only Congress, but now the Supreme Court almost impossible.

It is apparent that there have been some very serious missteps by President Obama during the first year of his leadership. Hopefully, he will learn from those mistakes and go back to the fork in the road where he left the path of "change" and "partisan cooperation". If not, he not only loses his way, but he also loses the support of even some Republicans who at first thought it right to give him time and the benefit of the doubt to make good on reforming Washington.

President Obama must first birth change that stems from how he conducts the business of the presidency. When he leads by example, then others will either fall in line, or fall out of office. He has a little less than three years to go. Hopefully, his message of change and partisan cooperation will revive itself and take him back to the fork in the road where he took the wrong turn.

A word to the wise is sufficient.


To reach the NRAAC national chair:

Jean Howard-Hill
nraachowardhill@gmail.com
Jean.howard.hill@gmail.com

[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has serves as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus.

She has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the "Democracy In Action" Program, which was a civics program taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.]

The National Republican African-American Caucus is an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, it seeks to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics.

More information on the NRAAC can be found at:

http://www.nraacaucus.org; http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social Issue Network (members only); http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]; http://youthonthehorizons.blogspot.com [NRAAC Youth on the Horizons Blog]; http://the-twig.blogspot.com [NRAAC New Generation-New Direction Blog]; and
http://theblackolivebranch.blogspot.com [NRAAC National Chair's Blog]. Each State Caucus can be accessed by state. See related links at http://www.nraacaucus.org/index_files/Page816.htm. Also can be found on the RNC group page at http://our.gop.com/Groups/National_Republican_African-American_Caucus_NRAAC.

Silence to Wrong Doing, Will Result in the Demise of the GOP

“Make no mistake about it, the demise of the GOP will be because of the silence of the good Republicans, who because of a few, will sit back and not call it wrong, when it is wrong. This is unfortunate”

“We have seen nothing but one embarrassment after the other, while no one seems to be willing to stop it. Make no mistake about it, the demise of the GOP will be because of the silence of the good Republicans, who because of a few, will sit back and not call it wrong, when it is wrong. This is unfortunate,” says NRAAC national chair.

The National Republican African American Caucus national chair, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill says that she has watched the silence now for most of her 31 year tenure as an African American Republican, with 23 of those years being in national leadership.

“I have seen it from the local to the state and at the RNC level. Good people who are afraid that if they speak out, it will dry up Republican financial support or that it will displease those at the helm. This has caused this kind of craziness, as we saw with the GOP fundraising tactics to be well insulated and to reach the top at all levels within the Republican Party. We cannot forget the Barack the Magic Negro incident that came out of Tennessee.”

What is sad”, she says, “is that at the grassroots level, there are many who don’t agree with this. Nevertheless, because the Republican Party has been taken over by this mafia style kind of politics, most people are afraid to oppose those they believe are powerful.”

She says that all of this must stop.

“We have to have the courage and moral conviction to call it wrong, even when it is wrong within our own party. When we begin to do this, we will begin to regain our credibility and sensibility as a major political party. Until then, we continue to be the embarrassment of the political landscape.”

She also say, “RNC chair Michael Steele should know better. Yet his hands are just as guilty of stirring the pot.”

“Many of us as veteran African American Republicans are wondering what is going on with Steele! He certainly is not the Michael Steele we knew prior to becoming chair. It is as if he has transcended color and common sense. We are less than one more incident away from a campaign for him to step down as RNC chair.”

“We need civility, integrity, sensibility and common decency to first return to the leadership of the GOP at all levels, beginning at the RNC.”, say Howard-Hill.”

[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Faces of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics program taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.]
Contact Person:

Jean Howard-Hill,NRAAC National Chair
423-702-5622 NRAAC office

The Purpose of The National Republican African-American Caucus is to create an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, we seek to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics.
“It is time to extend the olive branch, and that night we will do all we can to let the Republican Party know that since we are here to stay, we also want our stay in the Republican Party to be one which is harmonious and seeks to build the party and moves it in more positive directions, that are beneficial to the nations and future generations”, say the National Chair.
More information on the NRAAC can be found at:

http://www.nraacaucus.org
http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social
Issue Network (members only)
http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]
http://youthonthehorizons.blogspot.com [NRAAC Youth on the Horizons Blog]
http://the-twig.blogspot.com [NRAAC New Generation—New Direction Blog]
http://theblackolivebranch.blogspot.com [NRAAC National Chair’s Blog]

Each State Caucus can be accessed by state. See related links at http://www.nraacaucus.org/index_files/Page816.htm
Also can be found on the RNC group page at http://our.gop.com/Groups/National_Republican_African-American_Caucus_NRAAC.

National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] Does Not Condone GOP’s President Obama’s Evil Empire Fundraising Tactics

“We really would like to see our party begin to take the high road and focus on issues that are important to the people, and to see it stay away from these types of controversial, racially baited and mean spirited tactics. There are those who will contribute to the party, not because they hate President Obama, but because they are loyal Republicans. To under estimate that loyalty at some point is going to backfire. Bottom line”, the NRAAC national chair says, “we need to reel in the Michael Steele RNC and take the high road if we want to regain our political footage.”

“This is unfortunate that seemingly under the leadership of Chairman Steele, the GOP continues on a path of self destruction”, says the national chair of the National African American Caucus [NRAAC]. “Until someone with courage stands up and says enough is enough and that this type of low grounds politics is not acceptable with the Republican Party, this will continue and even get worse.”

Dr. Hill who also has taught Political Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, says she is aware that fundraising tactics such as this have been used by both parties. However, she has never seen it as viciously and racially motivated as what has been used by the GOP as it relates to President Obama.

“The NRAAC, as a Spirit filled organization of people of faith, cannot condone this type of behavior coming from either party, and certainly not our own. We simply expect more out of the Republican Party.”

The national chair says however, she is not surprised by this, given the Republican Party’s silence on racial inclusion and its unwillingness to embrace those of color.
“The NRAAC’s 2010 mandate is 100,000 strong. We are well on our way to meeting this goal. However, each time something like this happens, and as we are fighting our own battles for GOP inclusion, it makes one wonder if this truly is the party with which we should align.”

She also points to the daily e-mails from the RNC that are filled with Obama bashing and so much negativity.

“If we want to grow the party and make the Republican brand more viable as a political choice, then we need to focus more on our positive offerings and provide alternative solutions; not on this kind of hateful, fear driven and low ground politics.”

She says that the NRAAC has seen this same type of mean spirited and hate filled, paranoiac rhetoric coming out of Tennessee, (which also is the headquarter’s state for the NRAAC) under the leadership of former chair Robin Smith and Chip Saltsman, but now to see it has spread, should serve as a warning to the Republican Party that it is time to remove those from its helm on a local, state and national level who persist in this kind of politically harmful behavior.

“It is one thing to oppose the President on policy, but when we paint him or anyone else in a false or mean spirited light merely to raise funds, be it President Obama or as was done to President G. W. Bush, it is wrong.”

She says that although it was done to President G. W. Bush, what is being done to President Obama appears to be more about race than just policy.

“I recall hearing President Obama being label a socialist, the Anti-Christ, as well as the “N” word, and saying he must be stopped, even before he was elected. This was before the health care debate. So this suggests there is more going on than just policy.”

Adding a little clergy humor she adds, “I certainly hope the President is not the Anti-Christ. If that is true, then all of us who are still here, including those who are calling him the Anti-Christ are in big trouble. Since according to most Christian doctrine, the Anti-Christ does not appear on the scene until after the church is taken up. So for all of our sake, we should hope this is not true, otherwise, that would mean all of us have missed the rapture.”

“What good can we profit from this kind of silliness? It is embarrassing.” She says. “It certainly does nothing to endear us to those who do not condone this type of foolishness. While there are so many Americans who are hurting and need real solutions and strong and sincere leadership from us, is this all we can offer them?”
“We really would like to see our party begin to take the high road and focus on issues that are important to the people, and to see it stay away from these types of controversial, racially baited and mean spirited tactics. There are those who will contribute to the party, not because they hate President Obama, but because they are loyal Republicans. To under estimate that loyalty at some point is going to backfire.”

“Bottom line”, she says, “we need to reel in the Michael Steele RNC and take the high road if we want to regain our political footage.”

[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Faces of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics program taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.]
Contact Person:


The Purpose of The National Republican African-American Caucus is to create an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, we seek to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics.

“It is time to extend the olive branch, and that night we will do all we can to let the Republican Party know that since we are here to stay, we also want our stay in the Republican Party to be one which is harmonious and seeks to build the party and moves it in more positive directions, that are beneficial to the nations and future generations”, say the National Chair.

More information on the NRAAC can be found at:

http://www.nraacaucus.org
http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social
Issue Network (members only)
http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]
http://youthonthehorizons.blogspot.com [NRAAC Youth on the Horizons Blog]
http://the-twig.blogspot.com [NRAAC New Generation—New Direction Blog]
http://theblackolivebranch.blogspot.com [NRAAC National Chair’s Blog]

Each State Caucus can be accessed by state. See related links at http://www.nraacaucus.org/index_files/Page816.htm
Also can be found on the RNC group page at http://our.gop.com/Groups/National_Republican_African-American_Caucus_NRAAC.