Hip Hop Republican's

Philadelphia’s ‘hip hop Republican" says he is running for office.

2012-01-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

It’s election night 2011 and all signs point to a Republican upset in the City Commissioner’s race between incumbent Joe Duda and challenger Al Schmidt. Win or lose, Schmidt’s holding a victory party in the upstairs lounge at Liberties Bar on North Second Street. North Philly native Robert Allen Mansfield’s one of the first to show up.

Mansfield walks with a cane and dresses in black, sporting thin, dark sunglasses. He hands out business cards. He’s just back from Kentucky where, he says, the Tea Party candidates—with whom he identifies—are barely showing up for the fight. And he hopes that here in Philadelphia, Schmidt can bring a “resurgence to the Republican Party… We need to be out there competing and expanding the base.”

In less than a month, the 40-year-old retired U.S. Army Sergeant and 2010 gubernatorial candidate will announce a bid for the U.S. Senate. He’ll be the only Philadelphian in the crowded Republican field, the only Iraq War veteran, and one of the few blacks who’ve ever run as a Republican anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania.

Yes, a black Tea Party Republican from Philly.

Almost two months later, Mansfield’s campaign is in full swing as he meets with PW back in Northern Liberties. He’s just come from an Independence Hall Tea Party Christmas event where he was named a Board Member of the group.

Mansfield immediately wants to clarify his positions: A ‘fair tax’ code, school choice, veteran’s health care and black empowerment. He says the Republican Party won’t survive past 2020 if it continues ignoring and disrespecting the Black Community and touts himself as Philadelphia’s ‘hip hop Republican.’ “In my neighborhood, I do what Malcolm X says: I rap to people,” he says. “I don’t talk to them, but I speak with them … everyone in Cheltenham knows I’m a Republican. They know I’m a Tea Party guy. But I try not to come with all that ‘holier than thou’ stuff.”

The John Langston Forum

2009-01-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

The paternity of the anti-slavery movement belongs to no particular individual, nation or age. Wherever oppression- has exhibited its hydra-head, whether in the days of antiquity or in modern times, there the spirit that animates and energizes this grand movement, has arrayed itself in hostile and deadly conflict against it.

John Mercer Langston

The John Langston Forum - The Forum started by Hip-Hop Republican.com was established in 2008 as an online social club for Young African American Republicans & Libertarians between the ages of 18 - 40. The online Forum has close to 400 members from all over the country and world. The Forum started as a way for young African-Americans Republicans and Libertarians to meet and discuss politics in a friendly environment.

The John Langston Forum - activities consist of both web-based discussions and monthly meetings. The online forum is hosted by Facebook.com and Ning.com. By joining, the Forum members receive information on political jobs, scholarships, internship and announcements of black Republicans running throughout the year. Discussion topics include urban issues, global issues, current events, music, film, race, and much more.

Membership is free to join http://blackrepublicans.ning.com/?xg_source=badge

For more information or to join JLF email us at info@hiphoprepublican.com

JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS OP-ED: Conservative or Conservationist?

2009-01-02T02:43:00.000-08:00

By Jospeh C. Phillips

A little bit of wisdom that was shared with me not too long ago. “God gave us a Powerful gift – your mind. As you look around at any object, it began as an idea in some one’s mind. Any change of situation begins as a thought.” Indeed there is infinite power in an idea.

Russell Kirk wrote, “Conservatism is not a political system, but a way of looking at the civil order.” Put more plainly, it is a world view. People often confuse being a conservative with being a Republican. However, Republican is a political party not a way of thinking. All republicans are not conservatives. In fact as we have seen over the years there are even some republicans that are not republicans. Being a conservative is really about the embrace of an idea.

There is a film I recommend everyone rent and watch. It is called “Amazing Grace.” It is the story of William Wilberforce and his struggle to end the slave trade in the British Empire.

During an especially poignant moment, the former slave and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano, opens his shirt displaying the brand burned into his chest when he reached the West Indies from Africa. In his words it was a mark that let him know that he no longer belonged to God, but to men. This moment in the film is striking not because it affirms the cruelty of slavery. Slavery was/is not evil because of its cruelty, but because it violates the natural state of man by reducing the divine to the profane.

For me this moment eloquently illustrates the seed idea of conservatism—that all men belong to God! Thomas Jefferson was equally eloquent when he said that “some men were not born with saddles on their back and others with boots and spurs to ride them by the grace of God.” Jefferson of course codified this idea into the Keystone document of our Republic.

It is the assertion of divine ownership that is the basis upon which we claim our liberty. The natural rights of man emanate from this simple truth: God made man free and independent. As free men, we must own our bodies, our ideas, and the fruits produced by same. No man or no government can morally lay claim to that which God has made ours through his grace and mercy. It is upon this concept that rights are properly defined; upon this rock that America was founded and this idea that is the bedrock of conservatism.

Not too long ago I was in my home town of Denver, Colorado. I was speaking at a luncheon sponsored by the Claremont Institute of which I am a Lincoln fellow. I was on the phone with a very old and dear friend of mine trying to make plans to meet following the event. “The Claremont Institute?” She asked, “What is that?”
I responded, “It’s a think tank devoted to restoring the founding principles to our national life.”

“Oh,” she said. “Ultra right wing…”

“Uhm exactly which of the founding principles do you disagree with?” I responded.

I have made it my habit to never admit to being a conservative unless I am allowed to define what that means. It is routinely and wrongly asserted that the conservative objects to change. Frankly it is a fallacious argument the new left routinely makes and one conservatives far too frequently – and to our detriment - neglect to refute. The fact is that to conserve has never meant simply arguing for the status quo. Conservatives might be more properly understood if we referred to ourselves as conservationists.

Like conservationists conservatives are not content with current conditions. Rather they are both seeking to prevent the depletion of some treasured resource. Both Conservatives and conservationists act to defend and protect; to restore, to supervise and nurture those things essential for the survival of a society or culture. Preservation is achieved through education and prudent management or husbandry.

For many citizens stepping forward and demanding that we conserve trees or some rare species of bird is looked upon as a noble undertaking. It is a pity that some of those same eyes view the act of conserving, defending, restoring and supervising the prudent management of the principles upon which this nation was founded as a whacky or evil endeavor.

Equiano was correct and the power of that small idea – to quote a young Muhammad Ali – “Shook up the world!” I would submit that conserving that idea and the principles which grew from it are as important as conserving our natural resources. Better yet I contend that idea and those principles are our greatest natural resource.

Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like a White Boy” available where ever books are sold. He is best known as one of the stars of The Cosby Show.

Sonnie Johnson: School Vouchers: A False Choice

2009-01-02T02:33:00.000-08:00

By Sonnie Johnson

History is filled with broken promises, unrealized dreams, and an elite class of people who think they know better than the rest of us. Every Dictator knew it was more important to expand his empire than feed his people. Every King understood History would record their battles not the atrocities committed by his soldiers. Every Political Class has pressed their idea of thinking into the heads of children because they realize if they control the History, they control the people.

We will pass to our children a public school system that does little to nothing to prepare them for the real world. The sad part is we are faced with two false choices. We can continue to allow the Federal Government and the Elites to control what and when we learn (Making it more important your child understands why Timmy wears a bra instead of the true intent and purpose of the Second Amendment) or we can push for school vouchers and school choice. While I was once a proponent of the latter, I’m now starting to realize my idealism.

The option for children, with parents that care, to go to a private or charter school sounds great. The success rates of these schools shows real promise for America’s educational system. The attitude and hope for the future in the kids lucky enough to attend should inspire an entire neighborhood. That’s where my idealism ends.

The kid that goes to the private school and does all the right things will more than likely be the kid that happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While we bus him 40 miles away to go to a better school, the community in which he lives still suffers and they direct that anger towards the one or two lucky enough to have a chance to make it out. It is anger and envy that just because my mother is on crack and I don’t know my father, I don’t have a chance. Educating a few will not break that cycle.

Until 1965, elementary and middle schools were locally built and run, like the charter and private schools of today. HMMM I wonder if that holds any correlation between those schools now being coveted. Lyndon Johnson comes into office with his idea for a Great Society. One of his first moves was The Elementary and Secondary School Act. This was the first time large amounts of Government funds poured into public school systems.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The majority of these funds were targeted towards low-income communities, mostly within the major cities. What does that mean? It means the Government (DEMOCRATS) basically formed the school system that currently exists. While we complain about not getting the same equipment as the suburban schools, we get triple the government spending. Why are our schools less effective, if Government is so powerful and all-knowing?

Shortly after the Act was passed, the Elites quickly realized the quality of the education was not as important as the family structure. A child with a broken home, a broken community, and a broken conception of life was still unable to make it, no matter how the Elites tried. Their answer, the push to take God out of schools, like it was somehow his fault. Like he had somehow made these children to fail.

It never occurred to the Elites, it was their fault. In 1949, Harry Truman passed the Housing Act, this was the beginning of the modern day ghettos. While the intent was to create cheap public housing, it actually started the process of killing the American Dream in the Black Community. For most people, finding that something you’re good at takes you far away from home. Instead, we began to value our “trap” like all of lifes’ treasure could be found within our block.

If the schools were bad, so what? If the crime rate was higher, who cares? We don’t move or seek better opportunities elsewhere. We represent, keep it real, and watch our communities burn in front of us. What you get will all this meddling is the current situation we face, how did we get into this mess? Where once as a people we ventured deep into the South, with the Klan (DEMOCRATS) in full force against us, to build schools and uplift our own people, we now allow those same thinkers (DEMOCRATS) to control our education.

And our only options are to let them continue or give up on the neighborhood and focus on individual students. Talk about a lose/lose situation. Where are our backbones to reach for more? Every five years, the Elementary and Secondary Act has to be renewed, the latest being the “No Child Left Behind Act”. Is there a candidate that believes we should push taking back our schools systems from the Federal Government?

Now, there will be critics who say, we need the Governments’ money to run these schools. I say, the governments’ money is mostly going to teachers’ unions and not the actual school system. When Lyndon Johnson instituted these reforms, he introduced the Teacher’s Union to the Democratic Party and there they still stand holding hands today.

This does not benefit our children. A teacher can walk into a classroom, tell the kids to read pages a-z, take a nap, and face no disciplinary action because the Teacher Union protects his ineffectiveness. A child can be bullied by student, complain to the principle, complain to the school board, and get laughed out of the proceedings. If you can’t hold teachers accountable or insist better overall safety of your child at school, is it really a Public School System or is it a Bureaucratic School System?

A Public School System would let the people decide in each community whether or not prayer should be allowed. A Public School System could decide some students are better suited in a trade school, in military service, or hell, the circus and shape paths appropriately. And no, this does not mean pick black boys to go into the military. It means give them their options. Some kids don’t like school, reading, or books and no amount of Liberal Love will change that. Yet, put that same student in front of a car and he can pull it apart and put it back together. A Real Public School system would realize this and encourage him, instead he’s downgraded because he’s not like the Elites.

Parents could decide more time should be spent acquiring computers instead of trying to micro-manage school lunch. Parents could say, “Don’t Green our School, give back our after school programs”. But more than that, the direct blame for a school systems failure or success would depend on the individual School System. That’s how it works in all other majority ethnic communities. They don’t accept failure, so they succeed.

Enter the catch-22. The Governments’ aim with this program is Low-Income Cities, mostly run by Democrats. They have to maintain a 40% poverty level in their communities to continue to get these funds. Politics are front and center in our School System and that is the danger of the Voucher Program. Once a private or semi-private school starts accepting Government Funds, they fall vulnerable to Government Control. Using History as a Guide, this system will not last long with Government Subsidized Entry.

Instead of wasting time taking it back bit by bit and allowing corruption to slow the process, we should take a true embrace on Limited Government. My Idealism Returns. They have us under their thumb and we must fight a thousand battles to get to one victory. Thinking in terms of strategy, the best place to start is with our Schools. We could teach Real Capitalism and Freedom, making it impossible for the Liberals to rob another generation of our children. We can show our kids it doesn’t matter if you have a strong grasp on Chemistry, there is still a profession out there that will allow you to take care of your future family.

With all that being said, Is our aim as Black Republicans and Conservatives to save the few or elighten and uplift the many?

Sonnie Johnson holds a degree in communications. She is a Republican lover of Hip Hop and unlike most thinks it can be an artistic vehicle to change. Star blogs at http://didshesaythat.com/ she goes by the pen name Sonskystar

CONTACT US

2009-01-02T02:28:00.000-08:00

HIPHOPREPUBLICANS@GMAIL.COM

Dr. ADA FISHER OP-ED: Reforming Insurance across all industries is now necessary!

2009-01-02T02:05:00.000-08:00

By Dr Ada Fisher

Love him or not, I have to give it to Mr. Obama who has artfully shifted the Health Care debate to insurability from access and affordability which his legislation on health care is also not about. Risk assessment and coverage are a major concern in providing insurance coverage to everyone or in mitigating against financial losses in most situations. With health care eliminating increased costs based on risk, controlling access and costs are much trickier than is appreciated by John Q public or legislators.

If people continue to engage in slovenly behavior such as smoking, failing to exercise, excessive eating and other engagements which are within their control, why should policyholders (taxpayers) pay extra for their risks?

If people are born with expensive genetic impairments or injured in accidents which require medical coverage who should pick up the tab? What of those with terminal illnesses or those engaged in using experimental therapies?

If people have children with transmittable costly genetic conditions and continue to have additional children subject to the same findings, is this fair and should society have to willingly assume these costs? Or what about those who continue to have babies with no means to care for them? Is this also society’s cost to bear?

If people have dementia such as Alzheimer’s or become disabled to the point that they can’t take care of themselves but can live forever in nursing facilities, will we pay for this when they are no longer able to? Will all mental illnesses and infirmities now be covered?

Welcome to the Obama Health Emporium world proposal of eliminating risk based considerations in health care which is going to force the government to pay for everything for everyone. It is unlikely that health insurance companies are going to do this and without jobs and more of their own money to take home, citizens will find themselves increasingly unable to provide this for themselves, i.e. broke.

If Congress signs on to the Health Reform Act legislation through its votes, Universal Care is a done deal. If you believe there are enough tax payers earning over $200,000 to cover these costs you are crazy. If you believe that health care is not going to cost you more and raise your taxes or that limitations are not going to be put on care received, you are out of your mind especially given our $12 trillion dollar national debt. I strongly ask that we insist on Congress being subjected to the same rules it is proposing for citizens.

When Katrina wiped out Louisiana’s 9th Ward why were we willing to allow government funding to rebuild there in flood plains likely to experience the same again? Or why are insurance companies selling coverage for coastal properties hit more than twice by on-coming waves? Why are people allowed to drive with inadequate insurance coverage for personal injury which requires taxpayers to absorb associated health cost? Why are people allowed to sue with recovery for Act’s of G-d when insurance companies fail to pay appreciating that they sold policies which they couldn’t cover and stay solvent? And why are health insurance companies making millions in profits while individual premium costs continue to rise?

The government now owns housing thanks to the mortgage crisis, helped put Chrysler and GM out of business becoming an auto industry investor and now is going to own your health care. Welcome to the American version of socialism without direct input from the American people other than their tax dollars.

If this is what a constitutional lawyer comes up with now, stay tuned for the advancing wave to truly make America lose any chance for control of its borders with immigration reform, a.k.a. everyone come on in for the doors are open. Will our national sovereignty be next as we come under the control of international courts so that we may be put on a level playing field with others of lesser means and resources in a universal attempt to next redistribute our national wealth?

Wake Up America! There is still time to save democracy, freedom and adhere to the US Constitution while working to solve the problems within our borders.

Dr. Ada M. Fisher is A Physician, licensed secondary education teacher in math and science, former county school board member and NC Republican national Committee Woman. Contact her at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury, NC 28145; telephone (704) 223-2321. DrFisher@DrAdaMFisher.com .

Dr. ADA FISHER OP-ED: Hands Off My Mail

2009-01-02T02:04:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Ada Fisher

Now that he’s gone and done it, President Obama in equating health care reform to the postal service shows the fallacies of both. If that is his model for health care, lord help us for the postal service faces constant demands for increase rates and is rationing its service to us in the face of competition. The only way it seems that we can regain postal integrity is to put that agency back where constitutionally it belongs in the arms of the federal government.

Why should we save the postal system?

One reason to rescue the postal service is that it is still a good bargain for what is charged and is part and parcel of the government’s constitutional mandate to regulate commerce. Businesses need to use the mail for not everyone has a computer and bills must be paid though fewer goods are being shipped this way.

In Europe the cost of postage inflates beyond reason and there is often no telling when your letter will get there. At one time and still for most mail sent first class, it will reach its destination within three days in this country. Next day service requires an unreasonably high cost and some lame brain nut decided to let Federal Express and UPS have offices in some post offices where they are competing with them head to head at an often higher cost. In the world of global competition the US Postal Service still rules in service even if not in customers.

The privatization of the postal service has not had the desired outsomes. Unionization has had a somewhat negative effect though no politicians want to touch this. Some are calling for outsourcing this service which would be a tragedy and might see a foreign entity underbid American companies for this privilege. Federal Express and United Parcel Service are often more expensive than the post office for mailing. Stopping the hemorrhaging from the mail service has seen often puzzling attempts in search of remedies:

-Stopping weekend mail (Saturday) for businesses while continuing it for customers may have the effect of limiting commercial undertakings which create jobs for others. Why not stop it for general customers on Saturdays and keep it on that day only for businesses?

-The elimination of post offices is being undertaken. I hope that every one of the 3,145 county seats in this nation will still be allowed to keep a post office available to them. This will hopefully help maintain their viability as a center of commerce and county seat for small towns, villages and cities of under 50,000 people.

-Would there be more practicality in 24 hour postal centers in at least every county seat rather than the hodgepodge of offerings of stations which can be difficult to find in some localities?

-Would it be more efficient to stop house to house deliveries and go to block boxes which unfortunately would be a better target for criminals or have a central box repository like those offered by mail box companies? Somehow this seems to defeat the spirit imbued in the postal service’s creation.

Keep your eye on the mail for it to could be gone too soon if we lose sight of what is in the best interest of our citizens and why a postal service was thought a necessary constitutional mandate by our founding fathers.

Dr. Ada M. Fisher is A Physician, Licensed Secondary Educator for Mathematics and Science, Previous County School Board Member and the NC Republican National Committee woman. Contact her at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury, NC 28145; telephone (704) 223-2321; DrFisher@DrAdaMFisher.org

SHERMICHAEL SINGLETON OP-ED: HEALTHCARE REFORM FAILS TO TACKLE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE, COST

2009-01-02T01:55:00.001-08:00

By Shermichael Singleton

There are some good features in the health care bill, however the problem is that the bill still fails to tackle the most important thing, which is cost. There are some major things that needs to be addressed, I would like to briefly discuss some of the major things that are being discussed at the moment when it comes to health care reform.

Before I talk about cost I want to briefly talk about some of the myths that have effected this bill. I think it’s very important that we are fair when we look at such an important piece of legislation.

The first thing which is a huge big misconception is that health care reform is ‘government takeover‘ like in Britain and Canada. That is not true, the U.S. government will not control hospitals and other privately run health care businesses. Doctors will not become employees of the government, which is the case in Britain, the government is not going to pay all the bills such as the single-payer system in Canada, instead the government intends to to help people buy insurance from private insurance companies. Some features will stay in place which will include, employer-provided insurance, Medicare for the elderly, Medicaid for the poor are all going to stay in place. There is also going to be a cap on premiums for people who make below a certain income.

The passed bill will also regulate insurance companies more heavily. Insurance companies will be told the minimum services that must be covered, which includes preventive care, which is an important factor when it comes to lowering cost. Furthermore the bill says insurance companies have to pay out certain percentages of premiums for patient care. When the exchanges open in 2014, insurers won’t be able to deny customers for pre-existing conditions.

I’m not sure of the constitutionality of this portion of the bill, however I’m it has legal grounds. There is a federal mandate known as the ‘individual mandate‘ which basically says everyone has to have health insurance or pay a fine. Those who chose not to buy health insurance will have to pay $695 per year, however those there will be exemptions for those who are going through financial hardship and other special cases.

Abortion is one of the most delicate pieces of the bill. From the bi-partisan fact check groups that I’ve checked each of them say the government “won’t pay for elective abortions,” the senate plan does allow people to buy insurance that covers abortion on the new health care exchanges, ‘as long as the insurance company pays for the services with patient premiums, not taxpayer subsidies’. There are a few exemptions in Medicaid in the case of rape, incest, or the life of the mother, which agreed on by members of congress on both sides of the aisle.

Premiums were a very big portion of the bill and for the most part they won’t go up but they won’t go down significantly. I won’t to repeat this one more time just in case, you didn’t get it the first time, premiums won’t go up but they won’t go down significantly so what you’re currently paying now for the most part is what you will continue to pay.

Let talks a little about the cost of the bill which supposedly was the biggest reason the bill was past.

The bill was supposed to make health care affordable for the middle class, in fact that’s the opposite of what it does, instead it imposes financial hardship. According to the liberal Huffington Post “Americans who will be forced to buy a product that they can’t afford to use. A family of four making $66,370 will be forced to pay $5,243 per year for insurance. After basic necessities, this leaves them with $8,307 in discretionary income — out of which they would have to cover clothing, credit card and other debt, child care and education costs, in addition to $5,882 in annual out-of-pocket medical expenses for which families will be responsible.”

This bill does not bring down costs, in fact it leaves out nearly every key cost control measure, including:

Public Option ($25-$110 billion)
Medicare buy-in

Drug re-importation ($19 billion)

Medicare drug price negotiation ($300 billion)

Shorter pathway to generic biologics ($71 billion)

The bill also includes that most Wal-Mart employees will qualify for subsidies and taxpayers will pick up a large portion of the cost of their coverage. I find it very problematic that the American people have to pick up the tab for Wal-Mart employees, that’s not the job of the American people — that’s the job of Wal-Mart.

The bill does “bend the cost curve” that is a false claim, the U.S. will still spend far more for care than other advanced countries. The bill also promised to end medical bankruptcies, instead it will burden the middle class — most Americans who file medical bankruptcies already have insurance, so their out-of-pocket expenses will continue to be a burden.

The most important factor of this bill should have been cost and although I’ve attempted to lay some of the rumors to rest. No where as you have read does the bill really handle cost, prevention should be an important feature because we know people who are healthy don’t really use health care which would bring down the cost. There are many malpractice lawsuits against doctors which raises the cost of health care. There are billions of dollars in wasteful spending each year which needs to be controlled, and the list goes on.

It is going to be up to Republicans to draft a game plan to propose amendments and other legislation to combat the cost of this bill because in my opinion it doesn’t do nearly enough to combat the biggest problem which is cost. The Democrats have been able to past a very historic bill I must admit however to real problem has yet to be tackled and that’s cost.

Shermichael Singleton is the co-founder and spokesperson of the College Republican Chapter at Morehouse college. He is a Political Science Major, who’s currently running for Georgia Association of College Republicans (GACR) Chair.

Shermichael’s New Blog - http://singletonpost.com/

The Hip-Hop Republicans Are Just Like You

2008-09-07T16:21:00.001-07:00

Did you ever think you'd see the day when hip-hop was synonymous with the Republican Party? Well, for one group the two go hand in hand. Claudio Simpkins of the Hip Hop Republican has a simple message, one that he wants to share with BV readers. Just to let you know, his group consists of young black Republicans who want you to know they are just as "down" for black folks as liberals. Their only difference is that they hold conservative views on certain issues.Here's what he told Black Voices about his life a young black conservative:

Pictures from The Convention

2008-09-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ali Akbar is the owner of AliAkbar.org he has some great pictures from the Convention where he was interning. Check out his pictures he has mentioned to this blog that he will be posting more in the days to come.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/republicmodern/

Whats Up with "Asif Ali Zardari"

2008-09-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

~Sup HipHopRepublican readers Webster Brooks has a great piece out today about the pros and the cons of Pakistan new president. According to Mr. Brooks: "Zardari's Election As President Of Pakistan And The Dangerous Road Ahead" -Mr. Brooks is The editor of the U.S.-Iran Peace Project and is a moderate he recently emailed this commentary to Booker Rising:

On September 6, the Pakistani people could sow the seeds of their own political destruction by electing Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as their new president. With [no time] left before the election, tension in Pakistan is mounting as sniper fire pierced the windows of PPP Prime Minister Yousef Galani's motorcade. Since former President Musharraf’s forced resignation, the fragile anti-Musharraf coalition led by the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) has now been shattered.

Pakistan’s complex array of political forces, the army, the ISI, religious extremists and foreign governments are all mobilizing for the political fray to come as Pakistan’s leadership crisis deepens.In the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination in November 2007, her husband, Asif Zardari seized control of the PPP and is riding the wave of outrage against ousted dictator Pervez Musharraf to power.

A Zardari victory on September 6 [which has now happened], will consolidate the presidency, a parliamentary majority, the prime minister’s office, the National Assembly Speaker's chair and the judiciary under the PPP; making Pakistan a virtual one-party state.Zardari's presidential candidacy clearly violates the coalition agreement signed with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (Pakistan ’s second largest party) and other party's, stipulating that the next president would be non-partisan.

He has dragged his feet on the coalition agreement to re-instate the judges dismissed during the Musharraf's state of emergency, and back-tracked on the coalition agreement to rescind the president’s extra-constitutional powers to dissolve parliament and the judiciary; powers usurped by Musharraf under martial law. Thus, Zardari seeks to replace Pakistan’s brutal dictatorship with a more “enlightened" form of despotism.Zadari's power grab has the full backing of the Bush Administration and the army, which remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution. While Musharraf’s chosen successor, Army Chief of Staff Kayani has vowed to keep the military out of politics, Zardari has openly proclaimed “the establishment” is behind him.

There can be little doubt that Musharraf, now resting comfortably in his suburban villa under the army’s protection, cut a deal with the United States, General Kayani, the Saudi's and Zardari to resign as president if impeachment charges against him were dropped and he could remain in the country. In return, Kayani pledged the army's loyalty to Zardari, but Musharraf is still pulling the strings behind the scenes.Zardari’s betrayal of the democratic coalition was to be expected. He stepped into the political footprint of Benizer Bhutto who acquiesced to a power sharing arrangement with Musharraf and accommodation to the United States' Pakistan agenda. But the political upsurge of millions of Pakistani’s led by the lawyer’s movement proved to be, and remains an obstacle to her successor Zardari's rise to dynasty.

Zardari never wanted to enter a political alliance with the forces of democracy, but he had to. No sooner had the alliance served his purpose of getting rid of Musharraf, he broke all his commitments to the coalition. Zardari's treachery left the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) no choice but to quit the coalition. As the nation entered the final week before the elections, rumors swirled that corruption charges against former Prime Minster Nawaz Shariff and PML-N leader, will be be reinstated; pouring more fuel on the smoldering fire.

This kind of intimidation of the opposition should be all too familiar to the Pakistani people. Meanwhile a power struggle has began over the Punjab, Pakistan's most populous and politically powerful province. The PPP and PML-N are accusing each other of destabilizing the provincial government . The PML(N) carried the province in February's parliamentary elections.On the eve of the elections Pakistan's political divide is clearly sharpening. Zardari has the support of the Awami National Party, pockets of Musharraf’s “Kings Party” (PML-Q) and provincial leaders of the NWFP and Balochistan.

The lawyer’s movement, the BNP, and a number of smaller Muslim religious parties that accuse the PPP of selling out to the United States and want the judges restored are coalescing around Shariff’s PML-N. Shariff has also sought the support of the popular retired supreme court chief justice Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui as his party's presidential candidate.While there is little doubt that Zardari will win the presidency, the breakup of Pakistan’s short lived democratic coalition will make the nation more vulnerable to the intrigues of the the army, the Inter Service Intelligence agency and the growing power of the Taliban-al Queda forces in the FATA and NWPF regions. If political chaos descends on Pakistan, the Army that has already led three coups will seize power and run the country with an iron fist and the United States’ blessing. Above all, the U.S. must have a trusted friend whose finger remains close to Pakistan’s nuclear button. Ironically, the British courts recently released Zardari's 2007 physician’s reports that diagnosed him as suffering from severe psychiatric problems.

The news of Zadari's questionable mental state set off alarms in the situation room of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.Despite Zardari's victory on September 6, he will not be able to hold back the tide of Pakistan's democratic upsurge. Ultimately, all the U.S. backing, money and military power cannot prevail against the peoples desire to rebuild a more just and free Pakistan. It is a lesson Zardari should have, but didn't learn over the past year from the heroic Pakistani people. His unwillingness to share power and build a broad united front to extend Pakistan's unique experiment with democracy will be his undoing. The question is; When things fall apart in Pakistan, who will be there to pick up the pieces?

Are You Better Off?

2008-09-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

~Four Years Into a Barack Obama administration, you will still be waiting. Because if he makes all your dreams come true and You Actually start to Garner Success, You are going to want the Government to stay the Hell out of Your Pocket.

by Star

I had a couple conversations to try to gauge the response. Nobody is better off. Oh, except all the white people that rob Blacks of their Money. The Oil Companies, The Government, and the People that Make Food. All on a mission to kill off the rest of Us Black Folk.

You are no better off. You are still complaining about what someone else is doing. Look inside and tell me have you grown? Any? Or are you on a continuous loop of the same mistakes? Do you want to keep up with the Jones’ so much, that you don’t plan for the future?

Will you buy a house you know you can’t afford, with a flexible rate, so you can show off for a couple months?

Will you Go buy an SUV because you saw it in a Video, even though you know the price of Gas?

Will you continue to Rent and help someone else grow their portfolio?

Or in Eight Years from Now, will you look back and say I am Better Off. Not because John McCain was President. Not because Barack Obama was President. But because I took the steps to change my habits to make a better life for Myself.

If you have two Hi Def T.V.’s, an XBox 360, a Playstation 3, every pair of Jordans’ from the last 10 years; you could have brought stock with what you spent. You could have invested in starting your own business.

You could have had a down payment for a house. You could have paid for your child’s first 2 years in college.

When you look at those White People that hold you back, where is their Escalade sitting on 22’s?

Why aren’t they dripped from Head to Toe in Gold and Diamonds? Why do they all wear the same Khaki Pants and Polo?

It’s because they are paying the Mortgage on their Million Dollar Home. It’s because the Own A BMW, Great on Gas. It’s because the Gold they own is in the form of Notes. They don’t have to tell you they have money, but they can LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.

~Star is a young black Republican who is also contributor to HipHopRepublican.com you can read more of her stuff at http://whydidyousaythatgirl.com/

CBM and 100 Black Men, Doing There Thang

2008-09-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

CBM Partners with school system to help black boys

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Some Albany men want to make sure students get on the right track at an early age. Concerned Black Men of Albany is partnering with the Dougherty County school system to mentor and encourage African American boys in Kindergarten through third grade at Magnolia and Alice Coachman Elementary schools. Alice Coachman principal Pat Victor compares the men's support to a tomato plant being supported by a garden stake. "If you stake them, your tomatoes will grow up to be fine tomatoes and not fall on the ground. So this is the intent, to make sure those young men get the support they need to be fine productive citizens," says Victor.

100 Black Men award $61K in scholarships The 100 Black Men of Bradley County take a holistic approach to "breaking the cycle ... reaching out ... reaching back" in their efforts to improve the quality of young people's lives. The mentors focused Saturday morning on rewarding youths who have chosen to pursue education.Scholarship checks averaging $1,800 were presented to 19 college students and scholarship accounts of about $1,550 each were opened in the names of 11 middle and high school students. The total amount of scholarships in 2008 equaled $61,000. The community leaders have awarded more than $250,000 during the program's 12-year-existence.

100 Black Men of Baton Rouge Partners with Edison Learning Baton Rouge, LA – 100 Black Men of Baton Rouge and EdisonLearning, the leading education company partnering with public schools in the United States, will welcome students for the first day of classes at the new Capitol High Academy for Boys and Girls on Thursday, August 7. Capitol High Academy is located at 1000 N. 23rd Street in Baton Rouge. Dawn Green is the school’s new principal. “One of the greatest things you can ever do in life is to help someone else achieve their goals and dreams,” said John F. Smith, vice president of programs for the 100 Black Men. “Our collaboration with EdisonLearning, and with the support of parents, we will create a solid foundation for the future of our children’s education here at Capitol High Academy, and help them to fulfill their dreams.”

L.A.X-Music Review

2008-08-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

by Doug

Hey folks since this is "Hip Hop Republican" Doug our DJ on board thought he would compile a review of L.A.X and will be hit us up a little later in the week on a politically oriented article on preferably by Monday.

L.A.X. (Life and Times)is the third and final studio albumby rapper The Game, it was released on August 23, 2008.

1. Intro: DMX opens the album with a prayer

2. LA files: Hard hitting, beat compliments the lyrics nicely. A good start to the album, sets the tone for the first half of the CD

3. State of Emergency: Fits into what seems to be a gangsta rap themed first half of the album. Not my favorite, but Game goes hard.

4.Bulletproof Diaries (feat Raekwon): Okay by this song, I was almost upset, because he had three really similar songs in terms of just hard core gangsta rap, but then again that’s the Game’s specialty. For someone who enjoys the Game at his hardest, with beats to match this song won’t disappoint. Plus raekwon’s on the track.

5. My Life (feat Lil Wayne): One of his singles, The Game and Wayne go deep into appreciating their lives. A stark contrast to most singles out on the radio (aside from the fact Weezy is on the track, but the man lives in the booth it seems) the track is much more pop friendly due to Wayne, even though the meat of the song is in Game’s lyrics. Surprise line: “Fuck Jesse Jackson, cause it ain’t about race now”-The Game

6. Money: The first verse on this song may possess the most clever similies I’ve heard in a long time. Another hard track, the cd may sound repetitive by now, but that’s due to the order not the quality of the songs, just wait til the second half. Favorite line, “I used to only sell eights like that Laker n*gga, now I’m movin 24s like I play at the Staples center.”

7. Cali Sunshine (feat Bilal): A classic West Coast joint. I wish I had a drop top impala to cruise around and listen to this song.

8. Ya Heard (Feat Ludacris): Great song. As much as I detest Ludacris for his recent politically inclined song, he goes nuts on his verse. “Slicka than Rick the ruler, whoop ass like LexLuger. My money long, your shit is shorter than oompa loompas, and I’ll superman you! Like Lex Luger.” –Ludacris

9. Hard Liquor (Interlude)

10.House of Pain: A different beat, allowing Game to display his ability to gangsta rap to the fullest.

11. Gentleman’s Affair (Feat Ne-yo): At this point the CD begins its diversion from straight Cali gangsta rap into the full spectrum of Game’s talents. A softer beat, but Game still explicitly rhymes about “backshots” and the like. It’s a Gangster’s romance tale, complimented by Ne-yo’s smooth voice.

12. Let us Live (feat Chrisette Michele): Michele compliments Game’s rough appraisal of things important to those from the hood. However, game’s ghettonomics, if followed, fails miserably. Listen for “fuck that long money, get paid quick. And don’t save shit.” Not a winning strategy.

13.Touchdown (feat Raheem DeVaugh): A cool beat, with a lil synth. DeVaugh has a great voice. And Game continues his lyrical masterpiece, this time depicting a sexual scene.

14. Angel (feat Common): My Favorite song on the album! Common provides a solid verse, Game goes nuts. The beat is so ill. One could just sit back and chill to this track.

15. Never Can Say Goodbye (feat LaToya Williams): Game’s tribute to Bigge, Pac, and Eazy-E. A compelling feature: notice his rapping style in each verse: he emulates the person he’s honoring.

16. Dope Boys (feat Travis Barker): Barker’s great drumming compliments Game’s style perfectly. Great track, in my top 3.

17. Game’s Pain (feat Keyshia Cole): For some reason, the combination of cole, this beat, and Game makes this song really uplifting. Solid track.

18. Letter to the King (feat Nas): Excellent track. Deep, thought provoking. Someone tell Nas this is he should rap if he wants to make a statement and sound good, because his album was garbage compared to this.

19. Outro: DMX speaks

Overall: This rivals Doctor’s Advocate as Game’s greatest album. This may, in fact, be his second classic. 2 out of 3 is a pretty good percentage and The Documentary was money, too. If this was his last album, it is unfortunate. However, the Game is a hall of fame rapper and deserves all the credit and success this album should accumulate

~Doug Knickrehm is freelance writer a Republican and contributor to the blog HipHopRepublican.com He is a 17 yr old from Omaha, Nebraska who is a Senior in High School. Presently he plays play basketball whose favorite artists Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Talib Kweli, The Game, and Bob Marley.You can reach him at dknickrehm@cox.net.

2008-08-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

All I can say is classy..classy..and classy