Blacks Gain Power in New Congress

[NVMojo]

Black lawmakers are likely to lead key committees in the new, Democrat-led House, and that means issues such as Hurricane Katrina relief, hate crimes and voting problems are likely to get much more attention.

"Within the Congress, their influence went from about a one to a nine," said David Bositis, who analyzes black politics for the Joint Center for Economic Studies in Washington. "This is by far the peak - ever - for the Congressional Black Caucus." Members of the group may head as many as five prominent House committees and 17 subcommittees.

With the Democratic majorities slim in the House and slimmer in the Senate, National Urban League President Marc H. Morial cautioned that turning talk into legislation will be tough. And Bositis noted that President Bush "can veto whatever the Democrats do."

Still, Vanderbilt University political scientist Carol M. Swain said, "it is historic." Black representatives "certainly have more potential power."

The 43 black members of Congress, all of whom are Democrats, include some of the longest-tenured representatives. Because committee leaders traditionally are chosen according to seniority, black members are expected to play important roles.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-cong/2006/nov/22/112206561.html

[NorthernSpy]

1. Good! Better disaster relief and secure elections will benefit all of us...

Many rightwingers will likely greet this news with the same kneejerk hostility that they spew at all news concerning blacks. What the CBC wants is what most Americans want, and it's what I want too. Black America will benefit from these ideas, but this is not an ethnic particularist agenda, no matter how much the compulsive black-slappers will try to paint it as one.

[Blaq Dem]

2. Blacks always knew what freedom meant

From the founding of this country, we've always known the difference. We've known what 'all men are created equally' too. It's a shame their are some who still don't know yet hold so much power in the country.

I hope someone points out the fact that illegal immigrants is reversing the idea of freedom in this country. Pastey ol' rich men still want that free labor.

[Sensitivity]

3. Let's hope they understand the message of '06 and set an example of bi-patisanship

The worst thing for them to do would be to pusue narrow agenda
rather than the interest of the country as a whole

etc. etc ..

THE USUAL TRIPE THAT WE COME UP WITH TO GET BLACK POLITICIANS
TO KEEP STATUS QUO WHITE DOMINATION GOING .. AND GOING ... AND GOING

[Sensitivity]

4. Hey Guys and Gals, spread the benefits now, ok.