I think it’s fair to say that the Rev. Al Sharpton speaks for some number of the African American community. He was a Democratic candidate for President, although strangely his name is never mentioned as a “progressive” alternative to Barack Obama, but that’s another diary. The Reverend Al has a couple of words for the nice Progressive community, and I thought I’d share them here so you will know.
More over the fold
So that we understand where the Reverend Al stands on the tax cut issue I’m going to supply a bit from an Op-Ed he has written on the Peoples Action Network.
Over the course of the last several weeks, we have diligently watched as our President, Barack Obama, and the Democratic Party withstood filibustering and stonewalling from the right. Conducting hearings on the weekend, and doing everything they conceivably could to assist the poor and middle-class, their repeated attempts at compromise were met with fierce resistance and an utter disregard for the majority of this nation by the Republicans. And now, after holding the American people hostage as our President so rightfully pointed out, these self-aggrandizing politicians are sitting back and allowing Obama to be the scapegoat for all that ails us. It’s time we call them out.
Snip
Politics can often be a dirty game. Many a times, people act and vote in favor of their own vested interests. But when you allow the well being and sustainability of millions of our citizenry to hang in the balance, you must be held accountable. And we, the people, must never forget that these Republican leaders were ready, willing and only eager to allow tax cuts for everyone to expire, and allow 2 million to lose their unemployment checks. We must never be shy in calling out these elected representatives for who they are, and for whom they serve. And we must always bear in mind that they were prepped to sacrifice everything in order to benefit the wealthy and progress their own personal agendas.
President Obama was effectively caught between a rock and a hard place. Yes, he could have remained steadfast on his insistence of a tax cut for the middle-class only, but at what cost? Unlike those on the right, he could not in good conscience gamble on the lives of innocents suffering during these difficult and unpredictable times. And for that simple notion, we should all thank him – not attack him.
Please read the full Op-Ed
Well now the Reverend Al certainly speaks for me in this matter, so when I heard he was going to have Anthony Weiner on his show, I was very curious what would be the result. I missed it, or he decided not to come on, but nevertheless the Rev. Al spoke to Congressman Weiner.
WASHINGTON - The Democrats' family feud went local Thursday when Rev. Al Sharpton accused Rep. Anthony Weiner of ignoring the needs of working people.
The fiery activist reverend promised "pushback" if the Democratic lawmaker keeps attacking President Obama over the tax cut deal with Republicans.
"I'm against tax cuts for the rich too...but this is absolutely over the top to blame this on President Obama," Sharpton told the Daily News.
...snip
There will be pushback," Sharpton vowed, likening the attacks to "blaming the ransom" and "not the kidnapper." That was a reference to the GOP's refusal to cave on tax cuts for the richest Americans despite its claims of wanting to lower the deficit.
The deal has many Democratic critics, but the White House fears Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens), whose star has risen in party ranks.
Weiner has been a leading critic of the deal struck between the White House and the GOP leadership, mostly charging that Obama is a lousy negotiator and should have held out for more concessions.
http://www.nydailynews.com/...
The Daily News was unable to reach Congressman Weiner for comment. I’m curious if he is thinking about possibly running for mayor or any state wide office in New York and if he is hearing a sound…..Slam….That’s the BlackVoteTm closing. I think he might need to make withdrawals from it, and the “Progressive” lions that are in districts that require the votes of African Americans better be listening as well.