Senator Edward Kennedy, Giant Among Giants, Rest In Peace

Senator Edward M Kennedy, affectionately known as Teddy, passed on last night to a legislative body that knows no partisanship. A legislative body that does not fight over health care because everyone is free of disease and bad blood. It is a peaceful chambers where mortals hope to have entrance upon their final days on earth . It is customary when such a giant dies that everyone put away the swords and say nice things for the moment. Many have paid tribute to Teddy as a fighter of everyday people; citizens who are the least of those who fight everyday just to be heard and seen. I have a unique tribute of my own that I would like to pay to Senator Kennedy which speaks volumes of his spirit and humanity.

During the 1984 Democratic Convention in San Francisco, while serving as an advanceman for the Mondale/Ferraro Presidential Campaign, I was responsible for a number of surrogates, mostly elected officials, who were in support of Vice President Walter Mondale's campaign. On this particular day, I had to drive Mayor Richard Arrington of Birmingham, Alabama to a breakfast on San Francisco's Nob Hill at a Kennedy family private residence where he was to have breakfast with Senator Kennedy and three other prominent Americans. Upon arrival, the Mayor departed the car and took the elevator up to a private dining area while I was seated in the parlor. When Senator Kennedy learned that I, the driver of surrogates, was in the parlor, he had Secret Service direct me to the elevator to join him and his guest. If I were to say the surroundings were opulent, I would be giving a disservice to the description; fine porcelain china, sterling silver flatware and more valets than attendees to serve at our beck and call. Me, a 23 year old Howard University graduate from West Oakland, California was indeed in heaven. I felt quite privileged to be there listening to Senator Kennedy and guest talk about local, state, nation and international affairs. The conversation was serious and measured and Senator Kennedy was describing his concerns for those less fortunate and his desire that they get a fair break. From that moment on, Teddy was my hero.

For those who know me and wonder why sometimes its so hard to get my head through the doors, it is because ever since the day I met Senator Kennedy and he treated me, a poor West Oakland kid, like royalty and with respect and humility, the swelling of my head will not abate. Don't blame me, take your grip up with Teddy!

A Main Street Stimulus Package To Rescue The American Economy

While American businesses report grim economic news at lightning speed and consumer spending and optimism about the future diminish, the overall American economy is contracting at a nightmarish pace; a 7.6 percent unemployment rate as of January with more than 11.6 million Americans actively seeking work. As Americans come to grips with this new reality, our elected officials’ strategy to get America’s economy moving and to spur the banks to lend money is stuck in neutral. President Obama’s attempt to promote his $819 billion stimulus package on Capitol Hill has been met with frank skepticism. In fact, the out of power Republican Party seems more interested in being in opposition to the White House then offering substantive solutions to a broad economic crisis. While these issues are not new and the approach to stimulating the economy by cutting taxes, investing in infrastructure projects and providing tax credits to small business seems old hat, what is needed is a new approach to solving America’s economic woes.

During the 2008 general election, former United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson trotted to Capitol Hill with the intensity of a movie-goer inside a crowded theater who screams “fire,-fire” and stated to Congress “unless this body immediately passes a $700 billion dollar bailout for the banking system, the world financial markets could collapse and America could fall into a deep economic depression”. Despite tremendous criticism of the former Treasury Secretary’s three page, $700 billion dollar request, Congress passed the bailout package and the banking system was infused with new capital. Unfortunately, the bailout package had the opposite effect then was intended. Instead of the banks loaning money to get the economy moving, many banks sat on the funds while others bought smaller banks and invested in growing their businesses without providing new home loans and other investment capital to the small business community. No matter how much money is thrown at the banking institutions, it is clear that the only way to get the economy moving is to try a new approach that will put money in the hands of Main Street America.

Hence, all is not lost. A new approach to getting our economy back on track would be to relieve consumers of debt. For example, the solution begins with paying the credit card debt of tax payer s who eventually will be financially responsible for these bailouts. While it seems a stretch, let’s examine the merits. Last year former President Bush provided tax payers with a $150 billion stimulus package that provided checks directly to taxpayers to do as they pleased. It was hoped that the money would immediately circulate into the economy whereby providing a much needed stimulus. It didn’t happen. Fast forward to the general election and you have the $700 billion bailout that has had the effect of a fizzled fire cracker on the Fourth of July. The two Bush packages total approximately $850 billion in spending and for that the taxpayers see TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) monies being used to buy planes, vacation at posh resorts and provide huge bonuses to unworthy executives . Now, President Obama is proposing an additional $819 billion- a number of economists have expressed this level of spending may not be nearly enough to give the economy the jolt necessary to bring prosperity (after a highly contentious conference, the Senate and House approved a massive $787 billion measure). We are talking about $1.63 trillion dollars and Main Street America is still experiencing the deer in the head light syndrome; tax payer’s dollars in and no Main Street relief in sight. “According to the Federal Reserve’s monthly G19 report released January 9, 2009, the revolving credit category – made up most exclusively of credit card debt – saw a 0.2 percent decline in October.” Overall, revolving debt is estimated at $976.3 billion. Let’s look at my approach to stimulating the economy and bringing much needed aid to Main Street. If the federal government paid off the estimated $1 trillion in consumer credit card debt, a multitude of effects will occur. For one, credit card debt would no longer be an agonizing issue for the American tax payer. Second, the credit ratings of those with credit card debt will soar. Third, the banks would not need a bailout because they would have an infusion of much needed cash and limited government oversight. Fourth, this stimulus package, unlike packages before, can be directly tracked. Hence, being credit card debt free, the American consumer can use their credit cards at a more disciplined pace thereby stimulating the economy and forcing the banks to find other areas to make profit and ending the slave mentality of 30% interest rates on consumer credit cards. Additionally, since American tax payers have a majority interest in Citibank, deposit all bailout and rescue money in Citibank. Citibank can put out a shingle that says “Open for Business...We Are Providing Loans”. Now if the banking community wants to engage in lending money again, they would be encouraged via competition to start lending or find another line of business.

In conclusion, while President Obama’s economic recovery package navigates through the majestic angles of the Capital’s Statutory Hall, Main Street America fights to keep food on its’ table and a roof over its’ head. Any stimulus package aimed at moving America’s economy forward must include comprehensive legislation that is bold, that provides immediate relief to the America taxpayer who has lost or is close to losing their job, home and are in survival mode and that guarantees capital will be available to Main Street.

The meaning of insanity is doing things the same old way and expecting different results. Let’s get off the psychiatric sofa and try a new approach to stimulate the economy and move America forward.

Congratulations Obama, Howard University and the Legends Living and Deceased

As we prepare to witness the event of the century, I wanted to send a special message to all who played a part in this day. If you are receiving this message, then you hold a part of the Obama victory in your hands. Who would have ever thought that our participation in marching to make Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday would lead to this event? Wow! At this moment, I recall how many of us marched with Stevie Wonder in the early eighties to push for the designation of the King holiday. At times, the temperature was in the single digits, but we never gave up as we walked down Georgia Avenue.. freezing (for those of you who don't know, I am from California and all I had was a Gerry Curl and leather jacket)......alright no laughter here.. If you recall, Ronald Reagan was President of the United States and he stated that Martin Luther King was a communist and that he would not sign any legislation to make MLK Day happen. With perseverance and hope, we prevailed. Let's not forget and as we mark January 20, 2008, as the day America took a tremendous leap forward for equality and diversity, let's not forget that the struggle has only just begun. Let us also remember that one person can make a difference and continue making a difference. I'm grateful that I was selected to have participated in making this moment happen and that I can stand-in on behalf of all those who sacrificed and are unable to be here because of distance, time, money, etc. I'm going to be like the postal man; neither rain, sleet nor dark of night will prevent me from attending the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States! With a broad grin on my face and a heart that's pumping a thousand miles and hour, I want to say to Dr. Martin Luther King...Happy Birthday To Ya!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!