25
Comments

Congressional Black Caucus Getting Noticed

Published by Pamela Gentry on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 11:14 pm.

cbc_pam_blog

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Feb. 16, 2010 – The Congressional Black Caucus has made headlines now that its 42 members are making headway when it comes to raising cash from industries wanting to lobby Black lawmakers alongside their White counterparts.

The New York Times reported Black lawmakers, through the arm of the CBC Foundation, have accepted donations in turn for legislative privileges or preferential treatment. The Times article reports the CBC’s fund-raising machine trades access and influence to interests harmful to African Americans, citing, gambling, alcohol and cigarette companies.

Elsie L. Scott, CEO of the CBC Foundation told The Times, “Black people gamble. Black people smoke. Black people drink… If these companies want to take some of the money they’ve earned off of our people and give it to us to support good causes, then we take it.”

While the truth doesn’t sound politically correct, it’s accurate and other members of Congress are doing what is tantamount to the same thing. Representatives in Texas are lobbied by oil companies in Texas; West Virginia reps by coal mining companies and tobacco growers in the Carolinas all lobby members of Congress and dole out cash for consideration.
Duh! But the connection of favors to funding isn’t always that clear cut.

While we can debate if the lobby system is working without fault, the truth is: we know that it is a tradition in Washington that can’t be ignored. Lobbyists are paid by businesses to lobby. And that’s what they do.
What makes this story worthy and of interest to me is to see lobbyists taking a look at 42 African Americans in Congress they may have once overlooked.

If I had to guess, the new-found fundraising ability of the CBC has something to do with African Americans now holding top leadership positions in the Congress, being part of the majority party and their assumed access to one of their former members President Obama.

It’s not surprising to me. There are several misleading assumptions in The Times piece, but just to name a few: the members of the CBC are an organized caucus, like several in Congress, (Hispanic, Asian, Blue Dogs) not a Civil Rights organization. They don’t have a bank account, so they can’t and don’t accept money as a legislative caucus; and members of the Caucus don’t make up the majority of the CBC Foundation’s board of directors.

When convenient the lines were blurred in reporting the difference between the legislative caucus and the non-profit CBC Foundation which operates as a 501(c ) (3) charitable organization; the two are completely separate as required by law.

I’m very familiar with the work of the CBC and the CBC Foundation and its relationship with the African-American community, so I’m not sure why programs the foundation supports like the Congressional internship program, the scholarship program and the Fellow Programs weren’t given a more positive spin.

The CBC and the CBC Foundation will no doubt defend itself against these assertions. Let’s see if a New York Times follow up will also clear up any misunderstandings.

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

TAGS: , ,

Comments

RED NECK HUNTER said on February 17th, 2010

I SAY THIS NOT AS A RACIST, BUT I SAY IT WITH PRIDE BLACK POWER .

David said on February 19th, 2010

The black causus is a racist group ! Red Neck Hunter your people are not listening to you !!!!!!!!!!

WOW2108 said on February 21st, 2010

watch this video of an old man kicking the crap out of a young punk!!! The funny thing is how this dude just got knocked out and then he gets up talking “Next time ima kick you A$$” LMAO

http://guyism.com/2010/02/old-white-guy-knocks-out-black-guy-on-an-oakland-bus.html

Wholesale Nfl Jerseys said on February 22nd, 2010

You know that football season has begun when you see almost everyone wearing NFL jerseys all over the place. There are fans some who wear the NFL authentic jersey while majority are wearing NFL replica jerseys.In every sport that we like, we do have our own favorite players and favorite teams that we support so much. We watch all their games and cheer them on when they get a score. We also tend to shout motivational cheers when they play awfully. We even buy posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts, jerseys and other stuffs containing the players names and the name of the team that we love so much. This is how most of the sports fans support their well-loved sports icons and teams.Maybe you are wondering where and how to buy NFL jerseys. Buying replica jerseys is a daunting task that needs time and right choice. You can buy NFL jerseys in any sports house near your area. Aside from land based sports houses, there are also online sports house that allows you to choose or even personalized your own replica jersey.
http://www.wholesalenfljerseys.org

Christian Louboutin Pumps said on February 22nd, 2010

Every woman wants to be attractive, sexy and fashionable,so they all choose the Christian Louboutin Pumps. And it is common that women are beautiful inherently. After the shoes found by the famous big designer Christian Louboutin, the Christian Louboutin shoes are recognized as the best and most sought ones. For making their dream come true, women are aware that the famous stylish Feierabend Christian louboutin Pumps NIB Black designed for being beautiful and attractive. As a reality, Christian Louboutin shoes has the target to the beautiful women.
http://www.christianlouboutinpumps.org

asda said on March 28th, 2010

Chopard watches. If you are in search of a perfect masculine ChronoSwiss watches, this is just the kind. The dial, strap and case are all made of stainless steel. It features an analog time display and it’s also water resistant. Apart from casual days it looks perfect for office wear also. Alternatively, for people looking for Ferrari watches exclusively for casual wear and who are love experimenting with colors will love the TechnoMarine Midsize Diamond Cruise Magnum Glashutte watches. This yellow plastic strapped Hublot watches looks so cool that is sure to get noticed anywhere. With its black case and yellow dial, its color combination is absolutely noticeable. Its case is of stainless steel and has a 200 meter water resistance. So now you can go out and do all your outdoor activities without worrying about your accessories.
Patek Philippe watches
Porsche Design watches

MBT shoes said on April 1st, 2010

Hello, everyone, I noticed many styles and colorful MBT shoes gradually appearing in the street. Then I search it on Google, I found MBT shoe is very useful for our health. MBT shoes can shape your body and active your muscles, also can help you to lose weight. So how to benefit them? In my opinion, buying cheap MBT shoes and discount MBT shoes is the best choice to enjoy MBTs. Almost everyone choose buying MBT discount online with free shipping, that is worthy, strongly recommended. All in all, in MBT sale store, buying MBT discount shoes is perfect way to enjoy benefits and make you and all your friends around you healthier. Action now.

vfktljlcha said on April 10th, 2010

YsCdzV qwbapfrpnvzh, [url=http://ldzlbkywynlb.com/]ldzlbkywynlb[/url], [link=http://cluyqbjmuxur.com/]cluyqbjmuxur[/link], http://hpjzektjogqg.com/

jordanercome said on May 7th, 2010

Jordan free Shipping
Free shopping running shoes
Jordan shoes,Jordan,Jordan shoes sale
Jordan running shoes
stores that sell six
running shoes
jordan 10 cheap Free shopping
authentic jordans
Men Jordan 23 Shoes,the shoeunique
Jordan cheap running shoes
Jordan woman air jordan 17 for sal
jordan 10 cheap Free shopping
Jordan Wholesale man
Wholesale Jordan womens jordan 13
sale Jordan 2010 man
Jordan 2010 man
Cheap jordan shoes
mens shoes models
men’s air jordan gold fusionshoes mode
shoes jordan free shi
running shoes Jordan
running wallet belt
Jordan cheap jordans
Free shopping air jordan 25 and 6 m
Jordan woman air jordan 17 for sal
mens shoes models
Jordan Cheap Jordan Free shopping Wholesale
jordan shoes with tax
dicount Jordan men’s air jordan gold
running shoes Jordan
jordan shoes with
Free shopping running shoes
china wholesale jordan sneakers
authentic jordans slipper
Jordan 2010 cheap jordans
running shoes Jordan cheap
jordan 10 cheap free shopping
jordans mixed in six
Cheap jordan shoes!Men Jordan 23 Shoes,the shoeunique
shoe brand Wholesale Jordan
running wallet belt
Jordan sneaker
sale jordan11 11.5
running shoes Jordan
Free shopping air jordan 25 and 6 m
Jordan 2010 man
authentic jordans Air Jordan 1 Shoes Jordan
authentic jordans
Jordan 2010 cheap jordans jordan 11 shoes for s
2010 shoes models
Jordan running shoe brand eto
airjordan 6 mens shoe
china wholesale jordan sneakers
men’s air jordan gold fusionshoes mode
authentic jordans
Jordan 2010 cheap jordans
Jordan 892037
cheap free shopping
jordans mixed in six
Jordan 892037
air jordan 17 r
Free shopping Jordan Wholesale
Free shopping jordan 21
jordan 10 cheap free shopping
running shoes Jordan 1 Shoes Jordan
Free shopping Jordan Shoes
Free shopping running shoes
authentic jordans Air Jordan 1 Shoes Jordan

ladies said on May 25th, 2010

Congressional Black Caucus Getting Noticed Pamela on Politics BET comIt?s posts like this that keep me coming back and checking this site regularly, thanks for the info!2010-5-25

fake said on May 25th, 2010

Congressional Black Caucus Getting Noticed Pamela on Politics BET comI just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.2010-5-25

coach handbags said on May 27th, 2010

browsing coach shoes on web pages of
coach , you will find that
coach shoes will be a good choice.

Five Fingers Vibram said on June 7th, 2010

kso is presently the? vibram five fingers kso shoes of choice — particularly for runners interested in minimalist or barefoot running — and as I recently got a pair — in an actual box — in the sky blue and yellow color combination, I decided to take a bunch of photos and do a “proper” video unboxing. So without further ado, after the jump you’ll find a video unboxing of the sky blue/yellow vibram five fingers kso shoe complete with a slew of photos for your viewing pleasure!
we finally saw women’s Five Fingers ksoat CitySports — as well as the final men’s color!), only to see them fly off those shelves in quick order. Both Travel Country and City Sports saw their online inventory disappear in rapid-fire succession, selling out of most sizes in hours.

«
»