Full Speech: Hillary Clinton speaks to National Action Network 4/13/16

Here is Pres. Candidate Hillary Clinton full speech at the National Action Network's 25th Anniversary National Convention on 04/16/2016. She touches on racism, criminal justice reform, education, affordable housing, and more.

Bernie Sanders Supporters and the things they say/post to turn off black voters.

By George L. Cook III. EMAIL

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. So now that we have that out of the way...

There's been a lot of rhetoric recently posted online and in the media from Bernie Sanders' supporters and Republicans questioning those African Americans that choose to support Hillary Clinton. Now I could care less about the Republicans because they want Bernie to win as they feel he would be easier to beat than Clinton. They will do or say anything to keep her from getting the nomination.

As for the Sanders' supporters I attribute some of the comments to many of Bernie Sanders fans being young, new to politics, being very supportive of their chosen candidate, and idealistic as we all were at one point. That being said, many mean well but there is a strain of "You don't know what's best for you." that is coming out in comments from Bernie supporters that makes many older African American voters angry/nervous.

When trying to convince others to support Sanders, his supporters say some things that maybe they don't know turn off black voters. Cause I'm a good guy here are a few things that Sanders' supporters might want to avoid saying or posting online to avoid that happening.

Don't say to them that you don't understand how black voters can support Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders.

This comment is even worse if you are not black and have not gone through what many African Americans, especially older African-Americans have experienced in their lives. You may not catch any flak at the time, but you have just turned a voter off to Sanders.

Don't constantly attack Hillary Clinton on issues pertaining to the black community or her trustworthiness either.

On black issues whether she has been right or in some cases wrong, she has the perception that she has been there with black voters since her time as First Lady.

Now, as far as attacking her trustworthiness or any other aspect of her character. Keep in mind that black voters, especially older voters are wary of someone who can tell you what they are against better than they can tell you what they are for.

Don't say "If they only read Sander's platform they would change their minds."

That's making an assumption that people haven't read it or that if they did that they would love it. Many have read it, and many regular black voters are skeptical as well as practical, they wonder how some of Sander's programs could even be implemented let alone sustained.

Many black voters wonder how someone who has held elected office since 1981 and been in congress since 1991 is somehow an "outsider".

There's concern about the Obama Legacy under a Bernie Sanders, especially when it comes to Obamacare.

Don't question someone else's blackness.

You know who you are and this one should be self explanatory!

Lastly, don't think everyone sees what you see or thinks what you think. Respect the views of others and agree to disagree.

Democracy Awakening to protest in Washington D.C. for voting rights and more

April 16-18 Democracy Awakening will mobilize in Washington, D.C. to protect voting rights, get big money out of politics and demand a fair hearing and an up or down vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. Read more about Democracy Awakening here: http://democracyawakening.org/

Democracy Awakening: April 16-18

Who We Are

We’re a broad coalition of organizations representing the labor, peace, environmental, student, racial justice, civil rights and money in politics reform movements. We share a firm belief that we will not win on the full range of policy issues we all care about until we combat attacks on voting rights and the integrity of the vote by big money.

WHAT

In April 2016, more than 200 organizations representing a diverse array of movements and hundreds of thousands of people are coming together to demand a democracy that works for all of us – a nation where our votes are not denied  and money doesn’t buy access and power. Join us as we converge upon Washington, D.C. for an array of actions, including demonstrations, teach-ins, direct action trainings, music, a Rally for Democracy, and pressing for a Congress of Conscience through non-violent direct action and advocacy. Together we will build a nation that is truly of, by and for the people.

WHY

American democracy is premised on the fundamental tenet, “one person, one vote,” but since the very beginning, we’ve had to fight for every voice to be heard and every vote to be counted. 

Today, we’re fighting for change on many fronts – for action on climate change, racial justice, workers’ rights and fair pay, safe food and water, health care, peace, immigration reform and improvements in education. But an array of barriers are keeping regular Americans shut out of the political process, from restrictive voting laws suppressing the voting rights of people of color, seniors, students, and low-income Americans, to a campaign finance landscape that allows big money to increasingly shape elections and the policy-making process.

For both money in politics and voting rights, the U.S. Supreme Court has eviscerated laws that once protected the voices and votes of everyday Americans. And for both issues, Congress has solutions in front of them, but has so far failed to act. And now the Senate is blocking fair consideration of the nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, including timely hearings and a vote by the full Senate.

It’s time for us to come together and claim a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts equally — in other words, a democracy that works for all of us.

It’s time for a Democracy Awakening.

That’s why we are mobilizing. And that’s why we need you to join us.

Our Demands

We need a Congress that stands up for democracy rather than stands in its way. Here’s the agenda we’re calling for Congress to pass:

• Fair consideration of the nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, including timely hearings and a vote by the full Senate.
• The Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 2867, S. 1659), legislation that would restore the protections against voting discrimination that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in itsShelby County v. Holder decision, and make additional, critical updates to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• The Voter Empowerment Act (H.R. 12), legislation to modernize voter registration, prevent deceptive practices that keep people from the ballot box and ensure equal access to voting for all.
• The Democracy For All Amendment (H.J.Res. 22, S.J.Res. 5), a constitutional amendment that would overturn U.S. Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United and allow elected representatives to set commonsense limits on money in elections.
• The Government By the People Act/Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 20 and S. 1538), a small donor empowerment measure that would encourage and amplify small contributions from everyday Americans.

Our reform agenda is aimed at creating a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts equally — in other words, a democracy that works for all of us.

President Obama My Brothers Keeper Video: The Potential Of Boys Of Color

President Obama reaffirms the potential of boys of color in a My Brothers Keeper PSA that aired during the MTV Movie Awards. Watch the inspiring video below. Learn more about the My Brother's Keeper Alliance at http://www.mbkalliance.org/

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities

By George L. Cook III EMAIL

In the interest of full disclosure I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. So now that we have that out of the way...

Yes, Bill Clinton's 1994 Crime Bill devastated many black families with its mandatory sentencing requirements. Yes, Hillary Clinton spoke out for the law as the First Lady. There is no disputing either point. But what also can't be disputed is that Sen. Bernie Sanders, unlike Hillary Clinton, voted for omnibus crime bill.

Listening to those pundits and Sanders supporters attacking Hillary Clinton over her use of the term "superpredator", you would never know that Sanders voted for the bill as that is often conveniently ignored. (Now to be fair Sanders himself has addressed this issue and fought to get the death penalty component changed to life imprisonment.) Sanders voted to send people to jail for unfairly long sentences whereas Hillary Clinton could not. There is a huge distinction there.

Here are various sources to prove that Sanders voted for the crime bill.

The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/12/1994-crime-bill-haunts-clinton-and-sanders-as-criminal-justice-reform-rises-to-top-in-democratic-contest/

The Federalist: http://thefederalist.com/2015/11/03/bernie-sanders-voted-for-criminal-justice-measures-hes-denouncing/

And for those who may think that I am cherry picking sources to back up my writing, here is a post on Sanders own campaign website: https://berniesanders.com/press-release/sanders-voted-for-1994-crime-bill-to-support-assault-weapons-ban-violence-against-women-provisions/

There is plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the 1994 crime bill, but as one who didn't write or vote for the bill, Hillary should get the least of that blame.