The Politics of Insulin

Several years ago, while traveling to visit my mother-in-law in the Sierras, I heard about the Obama administration’s medical device tax. I had a mini-meltdown because I am the mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (formerly Juvenile Diabetes) is an autoimmune illness wherein something in the body is triggered to consider the pancreas as an “invader” and destroys it, rendering the person incapable of producing the insulin needed to sustain life. It’s a little more complicated than that, but for the purposes of this post, and in consideration for laymen’s terminology, let that suffice.

Upon hearing about the device tax, and my subsequent meltdown, I wrote out a doozy of a rant on my mobile phone, writing down all our out-of-pocket costs for dealing with this chronic, life-threatening condition. But, due to intermittent internet connectivity, I lost the post somehow.

I just chalked it up as a cathartic exercise in getting my feelings out as a mother of three children (one biological, two adoptive, all of whom have some sort of challenge). I feel like I am always juggling, unsure if I am ever getting it all right, something I know many mothers struggle with, but especially those of us mamas with kids who have additional challenges. Always doubting myself, feeling horrible because I don’t get to all the things I want to do with my kids, dashing from appointment to appointment, and, as a homeschooling mom, we sacrifice one income . . . so the financial concerns that come with medications, supplies, doctor’s visits, etc., especially at the beginning of a new year when there’s a high deductible.

So there I was with this huge list of the costs just for this one condition (as I mention, there are many in my family). The two biggest costs were (and are) insulin, and his insulin pump (a medical device) and its supplies (tubing, reservoirs, etc). These two alone range into the thousands per year, and when you add on a blood glucose meter and strips, lancing supplies, prep pads, adhesives, continuous glucose monitoring device (CGMS) — yes, another device — with all its supplies, you can see why I had the meltdown.

Every four years, we have to purchase a new insulin pump, and CGMS system. One, because they go out of warranty, and two, because there are always new and innovative changes in technology, necessitating upgrades to improve the quality of life and medical outcomes, such as A1C numbers (the holy grail of diabetes management). Thus, this device tax had me angry and upset for the many families it would affect.

Insulin alone has been increasing in price for years. Depending upon insurance and where we are in the health care year (before deductible is met, or after), insulin can range from $0-900+ per month. It’s only been over the last couple of years where we’ve seen the $0 copay at various times. These are the insulin costs to me . . . insulin makers see profits in the billions of dollars — per year — while many families struggle with these costs, even with subsidies, co-insurance, etc.

How horrible, as a mother, to dread the new year because I know for the first six months or so, we are looking at at least $1k per month for the insulin . . . then the other supplies . . . and that’s for one condition, for one child . . . on one income, or was, before my husband lost his job earlier this year. Anyone who has ever utilized COBRA knows it’s more expensive, and with less income coming in — go figure.

But these are medications my child depends upon for his life. And, the insulin pump was a game-changer. Not only for his A1C numbers, but for his quality of life overall. Not being tied to rigid mealtimes because injection meds (longer acting insulin) wore off at specific times, being able to sleep in, and not being up all night trying to help him control highs and lows because pumps can give micro-doses that injections cannot . . .

Insulin pump therapy is set to be revolutionized shortly with the advent of the “bionic pancreas,” a device that will be a sort of artificial pancreas, via a closed-loop insulin pump system. That device is in clinical trial, set to be released in the next year or so. We have a hybrid system, which is a step down from that. Currently, there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes.

So, today, when I saw that Republican doctor, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, currently Commissioner of the FDA, put insulin makers on notice regarding their costs, it was music to this free-market lovin’ mama’s ears!

Additionally, after years of political castigation, hearing that the right hates grannies and “wants people to die,” it was glorious to see this administration — the first to tackle the ongoing outcry regarding the spiking cost of insulin — take such a stance. This administration is letting the free-market and competition bring prices down, with the additional reclassification of insulin as a “biologic.”

Conservatives don’t want to withhold care, we want to use free-market principles, such as these, to be the agents of change. As with our public school system, we have thrown money at a problem for decades with little to no change. We want the market, competition, and solid reforms — such as the re-characterization of insulin — to invigorate our system. Additionally, not penalizing innovation, such as taxes on devices — our technology — is key. This administration is apparently pushing for repeal of this tax, with the House having voted for it, and the Senate voting on some provisions, but not a full repeal . . . yet.

I am prayerful the device tax repeal will go through, and that the FDA will prevail in bringing insulin prices down. I’m also glad to see it is this administration leading the way, helping to show that conservative principles do work to effect needed change.

— Marie

Identity Politics and the Kavanaugh Confirmation

One of the reasons I co-founded AACONS was because, shortly after the election of Barack Obama, in 2008, I had a number of people congratulate me on “my” president. Though elected by a vast majority of Americans – thus America’s president – I assumed this comment referred to the fact that Mr. Obama and I had similar pigmentation, thus, I must have voted for him, or that we were in political alignment. Whereas I did not vote for Mr. Obama, and was certainly not pleased with that electoral outcome, I will say I did not march in the streets with hash-tagged signs declaring him #NotMyPresident!

Then, during our last presidential election cycle, I was told that I had to vote #WithHer because, as women, we vote with our #LadyParts. This confused me not only because that’s sort of physically impossible (not to mention gross), but because Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton talked about female empowerment before the election, but afterward seemed to shame my vote by suggesting patriarchy had something to do with it, and my husband had to tell me how to vote.

Now, watching the Kavanaugh debacle play out on my television screen yesterday, I have to add one more message about #solidarity: I am supposed to believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford simply because she is a woman.

First of all, I am a political independent. I like to do my own thinking, and it’s done me fairly well up til now, thank you very much. I don’t like being told I have to vote a certain way, or believe something because of shared skin color or anatomy.

Secondly, as a Christian, I am a lover of truth. I saw a lot of emotion in that chamber – from many quarters – but, one thing that was in short supply with one of the major witnesses was cold, hard, evidence. Something Judge Kavanaugh had in spades:

A journal with comprehensive dates, locations, activities, and names.
Sworn statements from witnesses named in the allegation that didn’t merely trot out the “I don’t recall” line, but flatly rebutted by stating things like “I don’t know him,” or a tacit “it didn’t happen.” I found it interesting to note that the Leland Keyser mentioned is the ex-wife of Bob Beckel. He’s certainly no conservative, and if Ms. Keyser, too, is a Democrat, that bolsters the denial’s credibility in my book.
Six extensive FBI background checks that never once produced any of these allegations, suggested behavior consistent with these allegations, or anything of the like.

As a #MeToo-er, after an incident occurred during my childhood, well over 40 years ago, I can unequivocally state that I immediately told an adult. Though I didn’t know this individual well, I can tell you where, when, what the room looked like, and the name of the person involved. My mother and aunt had a talk with his parents shortly after.

I met my husband of almost 30 years back in 1982. In fact, he had a party at his home about a month into our acquaintance. We were talking about that party recently, because we both remember a number of people who were there — many we’ve not seen in decades — where people sat, and various things that happened. The same 36 year timeframe, but both of us remembered the party, with no hesitation or lack of clarity.

I’m close to a person who was raped as a child, and she can tell you the color of the walls in the room where she was.

We do not forget these details.

I am not saying I do not have sympathy for Dr. Ford. Nor do I believe she is a pathological liar. I believe she believes what she is saying. I believe she may have been the victim of an unwanted sexual encounter. I just don’t believe it was at the hands of Brett Kavanaugh.

I think the wisest words on record came from someone not even in the room yesterday, Liza Kavanaugh, who implored us to “pray for the lady.”

I have been, Liza, and I will continue. I pray for your daddy, too. And, most of all, I pray for our country. That we will be better, and do better . . . even when – maybe especially when – our political ideologies differ.

–MCS

Rep. Steve Scalise’s Attack: First Casualty of the Left’s Climate of Hate

I am stunned as I write this.

A sitting member of Congress, Rep. Steve Scalise, was shot this morning, based purely upon his political beliefs.

The shooter, James Hodgkinson, posted many anti-Trump rants on his social media feeds. And, it is reported that before unloading approximately 50 shots at a congressional baseball game, he asked if the group was comprised of Democrats or Republicans.

Let me be as blunt and clear as I know how to be:

Whereas the shooter pulled the trigger, and now must answer for his vile deeds before God — since he was shot on the scene and later succumbed to his injuries — he is not the only one to blame.

After a fair election representing the will of the people, we have seen nothing but a culture of hate spewed forth by the Left. Post after post after the election was filled with #NotMyPresident. Riots on Inauguration Day. Silly kitty-hatted women dressed as genitalia – many with kids in tow as political props with sayings far too precocious to have come from them – listening to “celebrities” talk bout blowing up the White House, and spouting ugly prose.

And, then, the piece de #RESISTANCE: Kathy Griffin’s “joke” holding the “severed head” of a sitting president she disagrees with.

Sure, many — even on her side of the aisle — panned the action. But many did not. Jerry Seinfeld didn’t “get what the big deal” was. Anderson Cooper hoped she “bounced back.”

Not long after, a play glorifying the assassination of President Trump came out. The director of which saw nothing wrong with the scene.

Here’s the irony: The folks who idealize gun control 1) ended up shooting up the joint; 2) were saved by gun-toting law enforcement, without whom – according to reports – we would have seen a massacre.

I am calling on every pink hat wearing, dyed in the wool Democrat who has ever said anything about this administration to take a page out of Nancy Pelosi’s playbook today, and denounce this tragedy.

Not only that, check yourself. Check your speech, your actions, your anger, your tone. Remember Hillary’s commercial with kids glued to a TV set watching Trump speeches, captioned “they’re watching you?” Well, they are. We all are.

I co-founded African-American Conservatives based on political dissent. I didn’t dress up as a body part. I didn’t scream “NOT MY PRESIDENT!”

I disagreed with just about everything the previous administration did. For eight whole years. But, never once did I say, “not my president.” I was proud of the historicity of the moment. That a bi-racial man – bi-racial just like me – was elected to the highest office in this nation.

I have ranted about the policies of that administration on these pages and on our radio show. But never once did I say Mr. Obama was “not my president.” In fact, I prayed for him.

I watched him advocate for Planned Parenthood, an organization founded to “eradicate human weeds” by a eugenicist woman who spoke before the Ladies Auxiliary of the KKK, Margaret Sanger. An organization that has achieved the milestone of seeing more Black babies aborted than born alive in New York City. An organization that has spawned a cultural genocide in the Black community. An organization that saw its core mission realized, because in order to survive as a race, Black America needs a 2.1% fertility replacement rate, and we are at 1.8%.

Yet, I denounced every effigy of him – unlike the Left who put up “Hitlerian” effigies of both presidents Bush 43 and Trump – every put down of his children – unlike the left who constantly attacked Bristol Palin – and every racial epithet I ever heard of him.

I was taught that regardless of who sits in the chair, you honor the office. Yet, we’ve seen sports teams “boycott” White House invitations (and rumors of boycotts are circulating at this moment). What an honor to be invited to the White House. As a brown person, to be invited to come in through the front door of our nation’s symbol of freedom and power?

I implore any and every one reading this: Check yourself.

Slow your roll and regard your actions. If “love trumps hate,” folks are not doing a very good job of this. Where is loving your “enemy?”

All this vitriol spewed is contributing to climate change all right: the political climate that has become so frosty, a man shot up a baseball field of politicians this morning. That’s not love. The shooter “persisted” all right. But he did not prevail.

If you remember the old Smokey the Bear commercial, Smokey told us, “only YOU can prevent forest fires!” Well, the Bible tells us that “the tongue is a world of fire (James 3:6).” Proverbs 6:27 asks, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”

Don’t be that guy. Be love. “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” as Ghandi encouraged. Dr. King told us, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only love can do that.” If you have contributed to the culture of hate, use this opportunity to take stock “and make that change, sha’mon.” (Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror).

Our prayers for a speedy recovery for Rep. Scalise.

— Marie Stroughter

** As I write this news is emerging about another shooting, in a San Francisco UPS facility. Motive is unknown, but prayers are requested.

Election 2016: Bigger Than Two People

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

This election is not a contest between Democrats and Republicans, or even Hillary Rodham Clinton and Donald J. Trump….It’s the age-old struggle between good and evil. And, I’m not referring to the candidates – one as good, and one as evil. I mean universal Good and Evil. White hats and black hats. God and Satan.

“Now, Marie, that’s just crazy talk,” some of you are probably saying. Let me walk you through History, shall I?

The American Revolution was not “Colonies” against “The Crown,” but rather “Freedom” versus “Tyranny.”

What about the Civil War? It wasn’t North and South…It was a fight to advance the principle that people cannot own other people. It’s immoral, inhumane, unethical, unrighteous.

And now, with our nation divided over two people, I, again, adjure you, frame it as about issues larger than two people; its about what these people support, as it relates to God’s ultimate plan for His people.

I was asked by a journalist for a major media outlet – someone for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect – to “chronicle my journey as a ‘reluctant Trump supporter.’” This offer was repeated multiple times – and I dithered over it, dragged my feet, and just couldn’t feel any peace about it. For one – and, this shouldn’t be a newsflash to anyone who knows me or follows me on social media – I am not a Trump supporter! He is not someone I admire, or even truly respect. But, am I going to vote for him? Unfortunately, I have to say I am.

How is that even possible?

Look at this election: After excluding the “no-hopers,” it all comes down to two exceptionally unlikable candidates. One, who — in my estimation — should not even be allowed to run….yea verily, should not even be walking free given the number of crimes she is alleged to have committed. That’s just in addition to General Ugliness and Major Scandal (and, I’m sure, rounding out our military puns, Private Regret).

Hillary Clinton, “Champion of Women” defended a rapist by obliterating a 12-year-old child, saying, “the complainant is emotionally unstable with a tendency to seek out older men and engage in fantasizing.” Even those of us not in the legal profession know, you don’t trash the victim…the victim is not on trial…and a 12-year-old, at that. The then-Ms. Rodham is on tape laughing inappropriately at aspects of this case…Some “Champion.” [1]

This is a woman who was involved in the shady ethics of the Whitewater scandal.

“Stand By Your Man” is not just a song, but an admirable virtue. But, “standing by your man” allegation after allegation after allegation….and trashing the victims, once again? Standing by a man who was impeached after sexual misconduct while in office and lying about it under oath (perjury and obstruction of justice)? And, is even now, reported to be jetting the world with a known pedophile to “Orgy Island?” Are there really people who want him anywhere near the White House again?

A candidate, who as Secretary of State, appears to have engaged in quid pro quo, the granting of favors in return for donations to her “charity” Foundation (only 5.7% of which actually makes it to the intended causes after “administrative fees”). To top it all off, these “donations” are from countries that kill those who are gay, and suppress even basic privileges for women such as the ability to drive or be in public without the presence of a male relative.

And, let’s not forget that while on Secretary Clinton’s watch, four American citizens died in Benghazi. This woman asked, under oath, “what difference–at this point, what difference does it make?” about the circumstances; and, in the days following the incident, repeated the dreaded lie that it was all due to an “internet video.” A woman, who, to this day, has difficulty uttering the phrase “Islamic Jihadist Terrorists.”

And, for all her talk about “Russian espionage” with regard to her hacked e-mails as distributed by Wikileaks, I ask, just who committed a federal crime by putting unsecured high-level documents on servers in somebody’s bathroom? All because she “didn’t want to carry two phones?” Riiiiiight.

Contrast that with a “nasty” man, who has a history of flip-flopped positions, foul language, bankruptcies, and disparaging remarks toward women. So, how can I trust him? I don’t. Then, how can it be that I am voting for him?

Because God has used imperfect people to carry out His will. Donning our “Back to the Future” gear, let’s dive into History’s pool again:

The Pharoah “who did not know Joseph” ordered Israel’s exodus from Egypt, thus loosing the bonds of their slavery.
King Cyrus was the leader of a nation who conquered God’s people and enslaved them . . . and, under his watch, released them.
King David was an adulterer, murderer, violator of God’s commands . . . and “man after God’s own heart.” (Acts 13:22)

God has used imperfect people, enemies of His people, and in some cases, downright evil people to do His ultimate will. Does He “make” them evil? No. Some will point out to “hardening Pharaoh’s heart,” as an example. But, God knew Pharaoh’s heart, and used the inherent evil already therein and predisposed toward His people, to enact His justice.

Like Esther, who knows if we aren’t at a “for such a time as this” moment?

Please hear me when I say, I am not advancing the thought that Donald Trump is “God’s anointed,” by any stretch of the imagination. But, as we have seen, God can — and often does — use unlikely, and unlikable people for His own ends. This may – or may not – be one of those times, but knowing the slate of policies one candidate supports is in opposition to so many of God’s commands moves me to drastic action.

Here’s the deal: You have a woman on record, not once (like, at the second debate), but doubling down (at the third debate) saying that she supports a woman being able to kill her innocent, viable, pain capable child in the last trimester up until birth. Universal evil.

If you want the historical comparison, look no further than the sacrifices to Molech and Baal:

Jeremiah 32:35: They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Leviticus 18:21: You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

Jeremiah 19:5: “ …And have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind—“

And, let’s be real, Mrs. Clinton trots out that old “medical necessity for the life of the mother” routine. Honestly, of the 13,000 annual late-term abortions, how many does that even represent? Very few. And, partial birth? How barbaric are we? Again, back to History, Slavery, Good and Evil: immoral, inhumane, unethical, unrighteous.

Proverbs 6:16-19 says:

16 There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers. (ESV, emphasis mine)

You can almost go down Secretary Clinton’s stated agenda and tick each one of those off, “check, check, check . . .”

Not only that, but Hillary Clinton has accepted Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger Award. Margaret Sanger. Let that sink in. A woman who, as a known eugenicist, made numerous statements just as outrageous as anything to come out of Donald Trump’s mouth –

“Birth control must lead ultimately to a cleaner race.” [2]

“The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.” [3]

Her Pivot of Civilization is peppered with statements about “human weeds” and “undesirables. [4]

“We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.” [5]

The Left paints Donald Trump as a racist, but Margaret Sanger takes the proverbial cake, folks. And, while we are parked here, did you know that Old Maggie’s fondest wish is coming true? The Black population is dying by abortion’s attrition. To remain viable, Black America must achieve a 2.1% replacement fertility rate, and we are only at 1.8%. Pure evil.

And, here’s a shocker: Those who like to point to Donald Trump’s remarks about illegal immigration, Mexico, and rapists should take a gander at this gem from Mags: “control the population through birth rates and immigration, and direct its distribution over the country according to national needs consistent with taste, fitness and interest of the individuals.” [6] And, “The Question of race betterment is one of immediate concern, and I am glad to say that the United States Government has already taken certain steps to control the equality of our population through the drastic immigration laws.” [6a]

If you wanna talk “racist,” Hillary’s icon spoke before the KKK and, by her own admission, received many more offers to do so! [7]

Then, there are those who point out, as Madam Secretary does, that Mr. Trump mocks the disabled – here’s the woman she so admires, on record: “The first step would thus be to control the intake and output of morons, mental defectives, epileptics.” This, after a discussion of the “feebleminded, idiots, morons, insane.”[8]

Not only that, but Secretary Clinton talked about “marriage equality.” As I have stated before, marriage is “God’s Intellectual Property.” You cannot take God-as-Author out of the equation, and co-opt it (case in point, the rainbow). Create some other ritual, with some other word describing it. I know my Left-leaning theologian friends out there like to quote the Bible, but they do so out of context. God has stated who is an eligible candidate for marriage, and to whom that person can be married (and it’s not just the LGBT community that God directs this to).

The debates aren’t the only place Mrs. Clinton is on record with her plans to march onward in diametrical opposition to just about everything God and His righteous stand for. Now, God may let us wallow in that, as He did the children of Israel, so that they truly understood that He was their Protector, Defender and that life under His wisdom for mankind was better. Or, He may use an imperfect person to “staunch the hemorrhaging” as Allen West recently described it, at the SFGOP Lincoln Reagan Dinner.

If you think it’s about two mere humans, you are wrong. It’s bigger than this. We are battling for the soul of a Nation. My AACONS co-founder, DK, likens it to Custer’s Last Stand. We are on a precipice, about to tip over and be lost not just for 4, or even 8 years, but a generation or more, with the life appointments by the next President of the United States to the Supreme Court.

Now, sure, you can give me the “moral purity” argument, that, as a Christian, I cannot possibly vote for Mr. Trump, because he’s “deplorable.” Going back to History, I can’t think of a “morally pure” candidate for president in the saga of these United States. We had slave owners, wire-tappers, the aforementioned serial adulterer (and there were others of those), and the list goes on. So, if you are gonna go there, be prepared to live by the same standard:

Atheists, when are you taking that “In God We Trust” paper out of your wallet? Come December will you be refusing Christmas pay?
When was the last time you applied for a transfer because you have a boss who is on his third marriage….and not a one of them Scriptural?
Your barista lives with his boyfriend, so are you going to stop getting your coffee at your usual morning spot?
Your mortgage company is bilking customers out of millions, according to the latest scandal. Will you sell your house? Move? Re-fi with another (most likely unscrupulous) bank?
Still shopping at Target? :: tsk, tsk ::

John 17:14-17 says, “live in the world, but be not of the world . . .” and that to escape the immoral of this world, we would “have to leave this world.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10, NIV)

Since Romans 13 tells us that God places rulers in their positions, both for good, and for our learning, I am going to cast my (bal)lot as they did in Acts 1, and see what happens, knowing that whoever is President . . . God is King!

–Marie Stroughter

References

[1] FactCheck.org

[2] April 1932 Birth Control Review, pg. 108

[3] Woman and the New Race, ch. 6: “The Wickedness of Creating Large Families.”

[4] The Pivot of Civilization; Margaret Sanger

[5] Margaret Sanger’s December 19, 1939 letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, 255 Adams Street, Milton, Massachusetts.

[6] “A Plan for Peace,” Birth Control Review, April 1932, pages 107-108

[6a] The Function of Sterilization; speech before the Institute of Euthenics at Vassar College August 5th

[7] Margaret Sanger, An Autobiography; Dover Publications, pages 366-367

[8] Birth Control Review, page 107-108

Additional Resources:

10-Eye-Opening Quotes From Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger

12 Disturbing Quotes from Margaret Sanger: Planned Parenthood’s Foundress

13 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger

Allen West Snubbed by #RNCinCLE

Last night I learned that Conservative firebrand and icon, Allen West, has not been invited to speak at #RNCinCLE. This information comes directly from LTC West himself. He further stated that not only was he not approached about speaking at the 2016 RNC Convention next week in Cleveland, he was not invited to speak in 2012, when 1) he was an elected official, and 2) where the convention was being held in his (then) home state of FL.

Beyond that, LTC West attests that he and his wife, Dr. Angela Graham-West, were not even offered tickets to the Presidential debate in 2012, when held at Lynn University, which is in the District he represented.

This is the Party of Lincoln, who freed the slaves. The Party of Frederick Douglass who stated, “I am a Republican, a black, dyed in the wool Republican, and I never intend to belong to any other party than the party of freedom and progress;” and, “I recognize the Republican party as the sheet anchor of the colored man’s political hopes and the ark of his safety.” This is the Party that had Black Republicans in Congress right after slavery ended, whereas the Democrats did not until 70 years later. This is the Party that toiled to get Civil Rights legislation passed despite Democrat opposition – and yes, I’m aware a Democrat President signed it . . . a Democrat who said, “I’ll have those n*****rs voting Democrat for the next 200 years,” by the way. This is a Party whose values align with the Black community and oppose the genocide of our children, and the extermination of Black lives in the womb. This is the Party that wants to provide more school choice and educational opportunities, when our own president, a Black man, pulled the plug on the successful DC voucher program. Yet, despite the rise of Tim Scott, Mia Love, Allen West, Will Hurd and others . . . it comes to this.

Black staffers are leaving the RNC en masse. There are no solo Black hosts on FOX. And, now, look at the list of speakers at the RNC Convention in Cleveland.

A few years ago, Pat Buchanan told me on the AACONS radio show that RNC money “goes where the votes are,” and that’s not to Black communities. I pointed out how myopic this view is, in not better communicating ideals to a community whose values are so aligned, yet, time has borne out the truth of Mr. Buchanan’s statement.

When you are a political party that many believe to be racist and have two Caucasian men at the top of a ticket, and a speakers list that looks like a snowstorm in New York in January, despite a plethora of qualified Conservatives of color . . . yes, there is a problem.

I do not say this for “quota’s sake.” I say this because until the Party outwardly looks like the people it claims to serve, nothing will change. The first time I saw an interracial ad on TV, I did a double take, because it was so rare to see. Now I don’t bat an eye, because it’s commonplace. The same needs to happen with the GOP. We are diverse, and America needs to see this. Especially now, given the racial tensions in our country. With the behavior America sees playing out on TV screens everywhere – rioting, looting, and the like – the country needs to see that not every Black man is a “thug,” or every Black woman is a “ghetto fabulous welfare queen.”

Black Conservatives have a hard lot. We are seen as “tokens” by the Left, “house Negroes” by the largely Democrat Black community, and the White Right tends to just trot us out to discuss racial issues, despite the fact that we have so many in our ranks who can address school choice, military affairs, fiscal issues and the like.

The fact that a highly decorated man, who has dedicated most of his life in service to his country would not be invited to speak at his Party’s convention is beyond insulting. Allen West goes viral just about every time he opens his mouth, and not only is he a skilled and sought after speaker . . . he is more than that. This is a man that is qualified to lead our country . . . a man who could (and should) be on the top of a ticket. And, he’s not even asked to speak?

Even though I am an Independent, and not a Republican, I often vote Republican because of the values so closely aligning to my beliefs as a Christian. But, this is my breakup letter. I am done. A group of high level Black Conservatives has put forth a proposal to shake things up and I am all in.

I am boycotting the Convention. I will not watch any of it on television. I am putting my energies into letting them know they blew it (again), and directing my energies into affecting change where it is welcomed, appreciated, and necessary.

Many Blacks have been wary of the Republican Party and are #NeverGOP, but I’m saddened to see the GOP is increasingly #NeverBrown

— Marie