Have I mentioned (recently) that Allen West rocks?

**Posted by Phineas

I’ve written before about the undeserved pass the Democratic Party has gotten for its dirty history on race in America and how the Republican Party deserves much more credit than it gets.

Not surprisingly, Allen West did it much better with a recent speech on the House floor in honor of Black History month:

Congressman West not only recounted the early history of the Republicans in defense of civil rights (Passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments; sending the first Black members to the House and Senate; and passing the landmark 1875 Civil Rights Act — all over stiff Democratic opposition), he also spoke of recent history:

In the 1990s, it was the Republican-controlled 104th Congress that passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. Then-Democrat President Bill Clinton signed it only after reluctantly having vetoed it twice.

This reform changed the face of welfare, ensuring that recipients who were able to work would be required to seek employment. No longer would government checks be seen as an entitlement. No longer would States have a financial incentive to add as many names to their welfare rolls as possible. Finally, there was an alternative to the cycle of poverty caused by years of misguided Democrat policy. And it’s been Republicans who have continued to fight for the underprivileged communities, even as we’re painted as the party of the white upper class.

In 2004, another Republican-controlled Congress under the leadership of Republican President George W. Bush signed an omnibus bill that included a voucher program for school children right here in the District of Columbia. Instead of being shackled to the failed public school system, thousands of students were able to use the first Federal Government vouchers to escape high-performing private schools.

Mr. Speaker, what Republicans have long understood is that poor communities are best served when they’re empowered to care for themselves. The more they come to rely on government checks, the less they learn to rely on their own ability and ingenuity.

Our party firmly believes in the safety net. We reject the idea of the safety net becoming a hammock.

Oh, and that voucher program meant to help poor children in D.C., largely African-American, help themselves? President Barack Obama, an African-American and a Democrat, killed it. Again.

There’s much more. Watch the speech or read the transcript. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it. (1)

RELATED: If you want to know more about the real history of the Democratic Party and race relations in America, have a look at Bruce Bartlett’s “Wrong on Race: the Democratic Party’s buried past.” It’s a thorough, detailed, highly footnoted, and altogether damning indictment.

Footnote:
(1) Unless you’re some sort of reactionary liberal or lefty who can’t handle the truth.

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

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