November 4, 2008
Statement by Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of
the National Urban League Regarding the Election of President Barack Obama
"After the longest and hardest fought presidential campaign in American history, the votes are now in and Barack Obama has just been elected the 44th President of the United States . The National Urban League and its affiliates congratulate President-elect Obama, Vice-President-elect, Joe Biden, and their families for turning what began as an improbable journey into an historic victory for their party and our country. We welcome the new vision they bring to Washington and pledge to work with them to tackle the nation's deepening domestic challenges, including the epidemic of home foreclosures, the crisis in public education as well as rising unemployment and poverty that have hit middle class and urban Americans especially hard in recent years.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the American people for voting hope over fear and electing the first African American president in our nation's history. This is a watershed moment that renews the nation's founding promise of freedom, equality and opportunity for all. This election has shattered what was once considered an unbreakable glass ceiling that has kept so many generations of minorities and women from dreaming big dreams and reaching their full-potential. Never again will any young boy or girl of color in America be shackled with the awful certainty of "not in my lifetime.
"The National Urban League and its affiliates stand ready on day-one to work with the new Administration, especially in the effort to craft a comprehensive urban agenda that expands opportunity and unleashes the tremendous untapped potential in our cities. But tonight, we simply say congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama and thank you to the American people for this historic new beginning."
# # #
National Urban League ( www.nul.org) - Established in 1910, The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League , headquartered in New York City , spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than two million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Small Business and the next President
As I watch this 2nd Presidential debate, I am increasingly more frustrated by both candidates and their ever-changing plans. From a small business owner's perspective, it's difficult to navigate the tax and health plans they are discussing; with so much bickering and claims that the other man's plan is faux... what can we really believe?
In the early days of starting a business and hiring your first few employees, a mandate to offer health care coverage would be staggering. I've dealt with these issues and such a mandate would entirely compromise a business owner's ability to produce and grow the product because staffing and employer taxes are often the highest expense line on the P&L. As for the tax increase or the tax cuts, are we really sure what either one of them can or will do once they inherit the $850 billion "rescue" expense?
Personally, I wish there was a complete overhaul of the Presidential election process so that it doesn't require half-a-billion dollars to be elected, or that the person who raises the most money, fastest, doesn't have an advantage, or that the media would be fined by the FCC for non-objective and irrelevant coverage... and my list of recommendations could go on!
I never thought I'd see the day when I would agree with DL Hughley but on Larry King Live a few months ago, he said the bottom line is that they both want to win and they will say just about anything to get your vote. It's very frustrating, especially when, as small business owners, our livelihood is on the line. We need clear plans that are not so divided along party lines, but divided by what's right and wrong for the American people. This is not about an election, it's about our lives and there's no do-over for us.
In the early days of starting a business and hiring your first few employees, a mandate to offer health care coverage would be staggering. I've dealt with these issues and such a mandate would entirely compromise a business owner's ability to produce and grow the product because staffing and employer taxes are often the highest expense line on the P&L. As for the tax increase or the tax cuts, are we really sure what either one of them can or will do once they inherit the $850 billion "rescue" expense?
Personally, I wish there was a complete overhaul of the Presidential election process so that it doesn't require half-a-billion dollars to be elected, or that the person who raises the most money, fastest, doesn't have an advantage, or that the media would be fined by the FCC for non-objective and irrelevant coverage... and my list of recommendations could go on!
I never thought I'd see the day when I would agree with DL Hughley but on Larry King Live a few months ago, he said the bottom line is that they both want to win and they will say just about anything to get your vote. It's very frustrating, especially when, as small business owners, our livelihood is on the line. We need clear plans that are not so divided along party lines, but divided by what's right and wrong for the American people. This is not about an election, it's about our lives and there's no do-over for us.
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