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They take a voting record and assess a grade based on that record. They don't look at what else in in the legislation or what else is being done. Nope, it's just the record that is important. Studies like this have no merit and should not be given the time, ink and paper to report on them.

It's sort of like the pres signing a bill with all those silly and expensive pork projects. They don't matter, its the basic idea of the bill that's important. Who cares if there is 100 billion for the speakers access road, sign it anyway.

What. A. Joke.

What!!!!!! Race is still an issue in the good ole US of A????

Of course they gave them an "F", if they didn't what would they cry about from atop their soap box? They surely wouldn't bash Obama and his rapidly falling support!

Funny, I give all the Rebublicans F's for sucking up to minorities. It makes them look like vote whores. Also I don't feel the need to be taxed more so freeloaders and illegal alien freeloaders can have a higher standard of living. Keep it up, I see a revolt just around the corner! Those of us who actually follow the law, work hard, and pay taxes are losing all sympathy and tired of the whinners!

Starman - this is exactly why we need laws to protect women and minorities. i am sure you are not the exeption and lots of people think like you. Although the article does talk about blacks, indians, and other minorities, I can see how you would single out Mexicans given our County. But if it wasnt for laws like affirmative action you would still have us drinking from separate drinking fountains. It would be nice to come to the day when bills and rules were not needed for equal treatment, unfortunately we are not there and dont think we will be anytime soon. In the mean time, keep up the hard work, cause we're gunning for your job.

Topp - While I understand there is still a very minor amount of racial unjustice, there always will be. This doesn not mean ignore it but we have to realize that we will never rid the world of hate filled people. With this, we cannot legislate our way to equality, it has to be 50/50 and I think we are darn near that point. In some cases, legislation or "equality" has gone so far it has backfired like in the case of the firefighters who were denied a promotion because there werent enought minorities that passed or took the test. The main push should be within the specific racial groups to improve themselves. Another for instance would be local hispanic groups needing to put a lock down on the gang problem, it will never be solved through policing alone. And please, gun for our jobs if you are a minority, it only improves upon our country to have the best and brightest, no matter what skin tone, race, or creed.

Most people don't care what these civil rights groups think. The race industry does more harm than good to race relations. Real progress will be made when these groups cease to exist.

sjuan, WE AGREE. Wow, stop the presses and declare it a holiday.

But most the comments above are pretty much on the mark.

racist. : )

* House Bill 1706, which would have expanded the state's student financial aid eligibility to immigrants. It was held in the House Higher Education Committee.

* House Bill 1517, which allows for restoration of voting rights to formerly incarcerated people. It was signed by the governor.

Ok so they used these two points? Are you kidding me? Now by immigrants does that include illegals? If so then why the @#$% should we pay for illegals to go to school? Pay to ship their @#$% back to where they came from instead.

The second point just makes me laugh, they basicly say that the majority of people commiting crimes and going to jail are people of color, since voting against this bill is voting against racial equality. I love it how people like this flip flop on issues as it suits their cause.
First they say that the media is bias in reporting on non white crimes and that immigrants really don't commit that many crimes. Now they say that by voting against people who are in prison getting their voting rights back is against their race. Wait, I thought they don't commit crimes.......yea busted.

Bottom line here is immigrants get MORE THAN ENOUGH help from America. If they didn't THEY WOULD NOT BE HERE. We have plenty of college funds that are minority only. What do you think would happen if we had a "Caucasian College Fund" people would @#$% a brick.
This is where they come back and say that whites already get all the scholarships. That may be true but it's not because they are white, it's because they earned it through work and knowledge. If you really want promote equality, if two people are going for the same scholarship the one who deserves it should get it and it shouldn't matter if they are a "minority" or not.
Giving someone more weight because they are a certain race and not because of their skill/knowledge is racist, wrong and is DESTROYING our country. If there is someone out there that could find the cure for Cancer or Aids I don't care if they are black, brown, white, or purple with green polkadots. I just don't want to see them get passed up for someone not as qualified.

This immigration is not new in this country, we have all been here for a long time, it's time to own up your own shortcomings rather than blame other people and expect hand outs.

When do we get to grade these racist civil rights groups?

I give them an F-

Again these people are looking to blame someone else for their problems, how about taking control of your own life and sink or swim!

Liberals offer knee jerk solutions to complex problems, which more times then not end up with many unintended consequences. How can the implementation of a state income tax guarantee more racial equity? It simply gives state law makers more of our money to spend and we all know how well that has worked out. Convicted felons do not deserve the right to vote. They lost that right when they were convicted. I don't care what their race is. I could go on, but the basic issue is the need to look closer at the problems and make sure "solutions" actually work and don't simply make us all "feel good" about it.

Download: Facing Race: 2009 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity
http://www.nwfco.org/2010_publications.htm

Topp1993, I'm not worried about my job, I am the boss/owner and am worried about my profits from my hard work and that of my employees. Performance is what keeps me and my workers employed. I could careless what skin color you have. It is not a hindrance or an excuse in my world. sjuan2 is absolutly right, the race industry is selling minorities as losers that need special treatment when infact they are destorying people. Reality is if you have tattoos, piercings, pants pulled down, can't read/write well, show to work on time and you think the "man" is keeping you down you will be unsuccessful regardless of race!
Speaking of reading, top1993 I never once pointed out Mexicans. Reread, for on the other side of the state thier are illegal aliens that are Russian, Chinese, etc. I quess you are just so wrapped up in the "Poor Me" world that you can't think outside the box. Write when you find work! (and have a nice day!).

Typical liberal ploy. Whine, whine, whine.

There are very few things that get me worked up, but this type of thing is one of them. I disagree 100% with the grades doled out. Sounds to me like the most logical reasons for these state reps to vote the way they did was to save on cost. Oh, so that makes them racially prejudiced? Give me a break! You don't hear these groups whining about all the free programs that the "minorities" get, and I'd bet money I don't have that it's mostly people of color, be it black or brown, that get those handouts. What? Your groups get to pick and choose when the white man is prejudice or not? Take a look in the mirror and look at how many times the rest of us get the short end of the stick because God forbid, we shouldn't cater to the colored people. I'm sorry, but it's up to ALL of us to stop the racial prejudice, not just white folk. And just for the record, I'd like to know exactly how many whites were on any/all of these civil rights and social groups? Ummm, not many I'd guess...should we all cry racism?

Starman - i am happy for you, everybody should be as open minded. But we both know that is not the case. As far as us being near equality, you are joking right? People would still be hanging from trees and crosses would be burned if it was still legal.

Dont get me wrong, i hate the whole race card myself, people like Jessie Jackson and Revrand Sharpton get on my last nerve. If your a loser then it doesnt matter what color your skin is, you should pay for your actions.

All i am saying is, if people werent forced to get along, i think you would be surprised how bad things would be.

Oh and FYI - both my wife and I are college educated, pay taxes, not illegal immigrants, involved with our children, and have so called all American middle class lives.

All sounds like socialist agenda to me. I would promptly place in the recycle bin everything these groups gave me.

Ok so it is racist to keep illegals from getting my tax dollars to go to school. Who said the illegals were not white? I know of a bunch that are russian.

Who said it is racist to keep convicted felons from voting. I happen to know a whole bunch of white people that this affects.

Just because the state government doesn't do what this group wants, that makes them racist. I think not. I hope that the Republicans...and the Democrats...vote with my wallet in mind.

Racist republicans complaining about being called racist... gold. Reminds me of all the people (many in the same thread) who rant about minorities and immigrants, saying some truelly vile things, only to end the sentence with "I'm not a racist".


What people fail to understand is that many caucasians today ascended to the top via the hard work of minorities' back (exploitation). If people want to live in denial, then so be it. But don't you guys think theres a reason why almost no minority exists in the Republican party? Its not exactly the most welcoming party.

The democratic party has been by far the most socialeconomically friendly party for decades now.


Oh I'd like to add that I wouldn't give ALL republicans an "F" for racial equality (only some)... but I would definately give them all an F for class equality.

I wish that they would talk about the OTHER 23 bills they voted on, why only bring up the controversial ones? Listing some of those 20 organizations would be nice, too.

Ogre - Actually coconut I mean sjohn is a republican, he's a minority. Well he was born one anyway.

ogre,
probably true, I don't dwell on race all that much so I'll conceed your idea that the dems are more welcoming to minorities. With that in mind however, I also recognize that the dems are willing to give the store away to woo them to their party. Put another way, they throw out the baby with the bath water to buy their votes. Is this what you mean by being the most socialeconomically friendly party? If it is, I would think it is a jaundiced view.

"There are very few things that get me worked up, but this type of thing is one of them. I disagree 100% with the grades doled out. Sounds to me like the most logical reasons for these state reps to vote the way they did was to save on cost. Oh, so that makes them racially prejudiced? Give me a break! You don't hear these groups whining about all the free programs that the "minorities" get, and I'd bet money I don't have that it's mostly people of color, be it black or brown, that get those handouts. What? Your groups get to pick and choose when the white man is prejudice or not?"

theres no such thing as "free programs". The people that benefit/use them also pay into them via taxes... and if they refuse to increase taxes to the wealthy, and continue to cut programs for people that have historically been disadvantaged, then I wouldn't call it racism, but classism surely. Which is similar enough to racial inequality around these parts.

"ogre,
probably true, I don't dwell on race all that much so I'll conceed your idea that the dems are more welcoming to minorities. With that in mind however, I also recognize that the dems are willing to give the store away to woo them to their party. Put another way, they throw out the baby with the bath water to buy their votes. Is this what you mean by being the most socialeconomically friendly party? If it is, I would think it is a jaundiced view."


Theres just as many Republicans on welfare as democrats, some studies cite more... so I'm just wondering why Reps get off calling Dems "freeloaders", when the republicans do it just as often. The difference being, dems tend to support actually paying into the system, while the republican leadership has successfully convinced their followers that they're completely devoid of poverty, and that its "THEM" (the dems) that are using up resources.


Just find it a little twisted and ironic.

One party supports tax increase to attack two countries at once, another party wants taxes to support the ones in need within their own nation... while the other party calls the attempts to help their own citizens evil and disgusting things such as "freeloaders" and "socialists"!

As if republicans are the only ones paying taxes.

I'm sure you are making a point in your mind somewhere, but I fail to see what the point is and where it comes from.

See if you can dumb down your answer a bit for my slow, feeble brain to comprehend. After all, I only spent a few years gaining an education and a few more years practicing what I hopefully learned, so I'm not all that bright you see.

ogre,
"theres no such thing as "free programs". The people that benefit/use them also pay into them via taxes... "

It's like stealing a $100 from my neighbor, then giving him back a quarter. If my neighbor complains, he's a racist, or classist, or whatever "ist" the libs are using this week.

Sounds fair, right?

Oh yea, I should also have added that I rarely listen with any seriousness to anyone who shouts, yells or belittles someone else. So please keep your comments to the point and not belittling to anyone who may be reading.

GOT THAT???

sjuan,
I'll ask you because you always give an honest answer. Maybe not correct, but honest and I for one appreciate that.

Do you think I got my point across to ogre?

"ogre,
"theres no such thing as "free programs". The people that benefit/use them also pay into them via taxes... "

It's like stealing a $100 from my neighbor, then giving him back a quarter. If my neighbor complains, he's a racist, or classist, or whatever "ist" the libs are using this week.

Sounds fair, right?"


Is that really the best you can do? How about you cover my other half dozen points? Republicans are just as much on welfare, so why only call democrats freeloaders? My conservative friends are definately appreciating the dems' push for more financial aide funding.



"I'm sure you are making a point in your mind somewhere, but I fail to see what the point is and where it comes from. "


How can I dumb it down anymore? I guess I'll try.


Republicans and democrats: Both use and pay taxes

Democrats: acknowledge it

Republicans: believe that its only them paying the taxes, and only dems using up the resources.


dumbed it down enough?

Wow, less than 20 words. See, it can be done without blathering. Thank you. But Mr. ogre, I know many republicans and many democrats who pay taxes and here around the middle of April will be hearing them gripe, moan, complain and whine about them. Yep, I'll be with them all the way. So I still don't know why that makes a dem better than a repub or a repub better than a dem.

"Wow, less than 20 words. See, it can be done without blathering. Thank you. But Mr. ogre, I know many republicans and many democrats who pay taxes and here around the middle of April will be hearing them gripe, moan, complain and whine about them. Yep, I'll be with them all the way. So I still don't know why that makes a dem better than a repub or a repub better than a dem. "

Its all subjective.

And in my opinion democrats are better at creating safety nets for all citizens, while republicans are better at creating safety nets for the rich.

Everyone has their own interests so it doesn't surprise me at all that wealthier people tend to prefer conservative fiscal policies... but in the process it disenfranchises so many Americans.

Probably the reason why 20 organizations in Washington gave the republicans an F mark for equality.

But doesn't the idea of redistribution of wealth disenfranchise many Americans as well? I think the idea of I am not my brother's keeper also rattles their brains. So if redistributing one's wealth and being my brother's keeper is all good, what the problem?

huh,

"I'll ask you because you always give an honest answer. Maybe not correct, but honest and I for one appreciate that.

Do you think I got my point across to ogre?"

Negative. I'll summarize Ogre's line of thinking for you. Everybody is forced to pay taxes. If you've ever received a student loan, used public transportation, attended a public school, etc., then you can't support reducing the size/role of government without being a hypocrite. In other words, it's like buying a pizza with a group of people. You want to buy the cheapest pizza but the group decides to buy the most expensive pizza. If you eat a slice of the pizza that you were forced to buy, then the group calls you a hypocrite for not wanting to buy the most expensive pizza. It's a ridiculous argument, but many libs use it.

"But doesn't the idea of redistribution of wealth disenfranchise many Americans as well? I think the idea of I am not my brother's keeper also rattles their brains. So if redistributing one's wealth and being my brother's keeper is all good, what the problem? "


Its true, not everyone likes it. But I'm just old fashioned in thinking that someone who earns twice the income of the previous guy, should pay a little more in taxes. Especially since so many of the rich ended up in that position from the hard labour of the common man.



the problem lies with the republican mentality of "They're the freeloaders and we're the payers" mentality that really upsets me.



"Put another way, they throw out the baby with the bath water to buy their votes. Is this what you mean by being the most socialeconomically friendly party?"


Which party is 93% white and wealthy, and is against programs... and which party more accurately represents the racial makeup and economic earnings of most Americans?

I guess what really disturbs me the most though is to the idealist one side of the spectrum has all the good thoughts and the other side has none. What I mean is that if a republican had come up with the idea of health care reform, the democrats would be darning the thing from here to next Christmas. If the dems had though of opening up social security to private investment, the repubs would have castigated them for it.

I have a very hard time beleiving that just because you are a repub or a dem or even a liberatarian, socialist or anything that I've missed, you can not have a good idea once in a while. After all, it has been said that if you put enough monkeys in a room with typewriters, soon, one will actually spell a word. I guess I wonder why everyone is so bitter? Why can the other person's thoughts be given a bit of respect and that can open up a broad spectrum of thought. I don't know, just a little something I learned many years ago doing my post grad work. But that was in the realm of science, not politics.

sjuan,
As always a wonderful analagy.

Sjuan, I dont know how you come to that conclusion, but if thats your reading comprehension...


I'm just laughing at all the people calling dems and liberals freeloaders, when republicans use just as many programs.


Is anyone going to address my point? Or would you rather continue silly attempts at metaphores instead of actually explaining something?


Sjuan, perhaps you can teach me a thing or two about that.

Ogre, you are continuously distorting figures and making blanket statements. I tend to not have discussions with people who cannot be specific but instead say, "Racist Republicans..." That kills anything else you have to say because obviously you are an incredibly close minded person.

Ogre,
"But I'm just old fashioned in thinking that someone who earns twice the income of the previous guy, should pay a little more in taxes."

There is a difference between paying your fair share, and punishing success. We already have a progressive tax system where the rich pay a much higher percentage of their income, yet you still claim the rich don't pay their share. What percent of their income do you think the rich should pay?

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"Ogre, you are continuously distorting figures and making blanket statements. I tend to not have discussions with people who cannot be specific but instead say, "Racist Republicans..." That kills anything else you have to say because obviously you are an incredibly close minded person. "


I haven't stated a single figure in this thread.


Just pointing out that people that belong in a freeloading party are claiming that the people in the other party are freeloaders.


Again, no is is even attempting to address that point. Do you guys seriously believe that democrats are the only people using up taxes?


"There is a difference between paying your fair share, and punishing success. We already have a progressive tax system where the rich pay a much higher percentage of their income, yet you still claim the rich don't pay their share. What percent of their income do you think the rich should pay?"

I never said that I supported higher tax increases for the rich. Just pointing out that everyone pays taxes and everyone benefits from them.


As much as some of you want to believe it, ITS NOT JUST THE DEMOCRATS WHO USE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES.

Thank you sjuan and ogre for the discussion. For a change it has been enjoyale, entertaining and an educational experience. But I hate to call it a day but I have a ton of other things that have been escaping my attention for far too long.

I have a few axe's to grind with our local elected State officials but certainly do not believe they desearve an F for their voting records regarding minorities. I have a problem with the whole stinking political system for not putting a legitimate and fair immigration system on the books which would allow controlled, legal and temporary entry of workers (all races) needed in this country. The current "anchor baby" situation is unsustainable and needs to be corrected.

"I have a few axe's to grind with our local elected State officials but certainly do not believe they desearve an F for their voting records regarding minorities. I have a problem with the whole stinking political system for not putting a legitimate and fair immigration system on the books which would allow controlled, legal and temporary entry of workers (all races) needed in this country. The current "anchor baby" situation is unsustainable and needs to be corrected."


Unjustly, ofcourse it can be sustained. Cheap labor, no benefits, and as many as 73% of illegal immigrants pay income taxes on top of state sales tax. Ofcourse this brings down competitive wages, but the country, as a whole, has benefitted greatly.

Probably one of the reasons why politicians are stubbourn to pass any legislation.

Oogre,

Just who benifits besides industry and the growers? In the long run the system is going to be overrun by the second and succeding generations from a constant influx of migrants who came here willing to do "unskilled" labor to better themselves. Those later generations, for obvious reasons, do not desire to perform the work of their parents. We need an agreement between the U.S. and countries providing the labor which will be benifitial to all concerned without overloading John Doe taxpayer with educational and welfare burdens beyond the time period when the immigrant labor is required.

Ogre, since you felt so free to copy and paste my earlier comment, would you care to address my last question as to the number of whites that may have contributed to those civil rights/socialist groups that were given the opportunity to grade our state reps? I bet there wasn't many...I know that I as a plain 'ol white girl from the country never got an invite to participate. Who decides who votes anyway? As long as we're putting the microscope on our elected officials, who while not perfect, seem to at least be nixing added costs (with the examples given in the article only mind you), then let's turn the microscope around and look internally at these groups. After all, fair is fair right? Just WHO EXACTLY got to grade??? Can you answer that Ogre? Well, can you?

topp1993 stated "laws like affirmative action you would still have us drinking from separate drinking fountains". You have got to be kidding me! First of all, affirmative action has proven time and time again to be a complete failure which makes society less safe. Drinking fountains? Don't equate the plight of the Mexican to that of the civil rights era of the 1960's! You also stated "In the mean time, keep up the hard work, cause we're gunning for your job". Well, since you have to be educated to do my job, I guess you aren't gunning for mine!

"Ogre, since you felt so free to copy and paste my earlier comment, would you care to address my last question as to the number of whites that may have contributed to those civil rights/socialist groups that were given the opportunity to grade our state reps? I bet there wasn't many...I know that I as a plain 'ol white girl from the country never got an invite to participate. Who decides who votes anyway? As long as we're putting the microscope on our elected officials, who while not perfect, seem to at least be nixing added costs (with the examples given in the article only mind you), then let's turn the microscope around and look internally at these groups. After all, fair is fair right? Just WHO EXACTLY got to grade??? Can you answer that Ogre? Well, can you? "


What are you blabbing about? You know, I too wish too know who. The Herald could've done a better job and listed one of those 20 organizations.

They also could've mentioned some of the other 23 bills they voted on.

Okay, point conceded. Sorry to blabber.

I think that's Great
They gave Republicans a F for Fantastic

They are financially resposible, something that is lacking in Wash D.C. and some of Olympia bureaucrats.

Our Government needs to Stop wasting tax payers money, we deserve common sense!

Be Responsible!

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ogre, harley: The list of organizations and all the bills considered are all available in the complete report. SU_advocate posted the link way back up the page:

Download: Facing Race: 2009 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity
http://www.nwfco.org/2010_publications.htm