About Trae Lewis

Please forgive me for this slight rant about the major disservice both congressional Republicans and Democrats have done to the most important and largest economic group in the United States; the middle class, but I can no longer remain quiet. To be clear, I define the middle class as a legal U.S. citizen, married or single, earning between $45,000 and $100,000 per year. My figures take into account those living in several areas ranging from New York to Alabama. I also included sample data from several different demographics like single adults with no kids or property and single adults with kids and property. There aren’t many differences between them, given current tax codes, but that argument will be reserved for future articles. With that said, on to my small rant.

Let me begin with the Democrats. If Democrats are for the “working families” of America, why do they impose so many taxes on “working families”? The average American pays dozens of taxes outside of personal income tax each and every year. These taxes range from the infamous telephone federal tax, state and local surcharge tax, to my personal favorite the excise taxes. Excise taxes are truly taxes on products you already pay sales tax for, but are levied because of the need for the government to raise revenue. This certainly doesn’t seem like the actions of someone looking out for the “Average Joe”.

The Republicans aren’t doing a much better job either. If the current Republicans in congress believe smaller government helps middle class families, why are they spending so much? The last true fiscal conservative president was Richard Nixon. His presidency cut the national debt down to 35.6% of Gross Domestic Product, today it’s almost 100%. Secondly, Republicans favor tax codes that aren’t fair and equal. Continual support for the capital gains taxes doesn’t promote fiscal equality. Capital gains earnings aren’t taxed at the same rate as regular income; they are limited to 15% of the revenue received. If I was a full-time teacher and decide to pick up a part-time bartending job, I would get taxed based upon what I earned from both jobs. Wouldn’t my earnings from this part-time job (aka “something in the side”) be equivalent to earnings from capital gains? The 87 million dollars Warren Buffet gave dollars on C shares in 2011 could be perfectly described as “something on the side”; however, it is taxed as if there are major differences. How does supporting such an unfair tax policy help middle class families?

So yes, I’m calling both sides out. They have done a terrible job of protecting the most valued assets outside of our basic freedoms, the wealth of Americans. Sadly, given current headlines, things don’t look to be getting any better in the near future.

Originally posted at http://moneyetiquette.com/1/post/2012/12/the-middle-class-stuck-between-arrogance-on-the-left-and-pride-on-the-right.html

This week on Listen uP!

“Now it’s a lot of bad **** in the building (Ooh, Amen)
A couple real **** in the building (Amen)
I’m finna kill ****in the building (Amen)”

Have hip-hop lyrics gone too far, or are critics being too uptight?

We examine the lyrics of the controversial record “Amen” by Meek Mill and the hip hop culture as a whole and its increasing influence on the youth.

This Friday on 88.9 FM WEAA radio or www.weaa.org from 7PM to 8PM.

Tomorrow April 13, 2012 from 7 – 8 PM on WEAA 88.9 FM Radio, Trae Lewis guest hosts “Listen Up” with Justin Jones-Fosu. Tomorrow’s show is titled “Race in America: an underlying issue”. Just as the nation seemed to began and move in a more promising direction regarding race with the election of Barack Obama in 2008, it seems now in 2012 the nation has circled the wagons once again around race baiting and has regressed in mitigating racial tensions. Are the racial issues true or completely unfounded? If true, what can be done to solve them? If false, why the continual lack of progression on moving past racial tension and issues? In order to help me answer these questions, I’ve brought in Shelby Emmett as tomorrow’s guest. Shelby, is an attorney and writer for Move-On-Up.org. From start to finish, feel free to call in and join the discussion at (410) 319-8888. Also listen to the show via online at WEAA.org.

Only six black senators have served in the United States Senate: three Republicans and three Democrats, including current President Barack Obama. In the current 112th Congress, no United States Senators are black. There is no tangible reason for this disturbing fact, however, some elements are clear and present as to give a possible answer. The premier element is money. Regardless of candidate’s demographic, in order to be a serious general election US Senate candidate you must spend on average 6 million dollars from the date of declaration to your conceivable win. That alone excludes many credible candidates from entering US Senate races. Despite this, a good number of black candidates still are able to have the financial backing to enter a US Senate race. This article will focus on the candidates that did enter and examine the reasons why some won and others did not.

The age-old natural direction is to attribute the lack of black representation in the US Senate to the controversial “Bradley effect”. The Bradley effect is a theory to explain observed discrepancies when a white candidate runs against a black candidate in a statewide election, the white candidate will always surely win. The win based on the fact no state has no more than 35% of its voter population black, and very few blacks win outside majority held black electorate districts. The theory has some legitimacy, however, L. Douglas Wilder for Governor in Virginia, Edward William Brooke for US Senate in Massachusetts, and most notably Barack Obama for US President, defeated their white opponents in grand fashion.

What made Wilder, Brooke, and Obama different from Kendrick Meek who lost his US senate bid in Florida in 2010, Denise Majette who lost her bid for US Senate in Georgia in 2004, and Harold Ford, Jr. who lost his bid for US Senate in Tennessee in 2006? All three losers were credible, popular, congressional representatives prior to their lost. The three even turned out a sizable number of black voters in each race.

To summarize the aforementioned US Senatorial loses; I reference the late rapper Gang Starr’s 1994 hit “Mass Appeal”. The candidates did not have “mass appeal”, meaning when they ran for office, the race of their skin was not a factor for their loss. However, the candidates trying to use their skin color to win their race was a factor for their loss. Meaning, Meek, Majette, Ford, and a host of others have lost statewide races because the overtones of their campaigns were centered on race. All three were US Congressional Democrats from overwhelmingly black districts. Their appeal based on the notion why 80% of Black Americans are Democrats in the first place, that the Democratic Party reflects the interests and priorities of racial minorities. In each of the candidates’ case, all three had congressional records as being “super liberal”, even for Democrat party standards.

As recent as 2009, 40% of Americans interviewed in national Gallup Poll surveys describe their political views as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 21% as liberal. These numbers only increase to the more conservative and moderate end in states such as Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee where Meek, Majette, Ford ran. Few candidates, regardless of party and demographic, are able to win statewide elections based on careers that have been established on being a crusader for the most extreme end of a political ideology.

Additionally, Meek, Majette, Ford, and many other Black Democrats have made careers on racial causes, which is suitable for their majority black congressional races, however, the US Senate must appeal to voters from all demographics, especially to voters who believe race plays no factor in their everyday life. A voter in that sense would find no reason to vote for a candidate whose entire political strategy is off racial rhetoric. White Democratic candidates, notably the Southern United States blue dog Democrat have forged tactics with Democratic Party principals, but in a wider political ideological appeal package, which is needed to win statewide contests.

While running for US President, Barack Obama eloquently gave his famous “race speech” on March 18, 2008, in which he stated race has and always will be a factor in politics, however he will not be running as a black man for President, yet as an American running for President. Obama wisely separated his campaign from racial rhetoric, which help separated him from being a winner and his opponent the loser.

This Friday on 88.9 FM WEAA radio from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, I will be guest hosting Listen Up! with Justin Jones Fosu.

The topic is what is a “true conservative”, what is a Republican. I’ll propose a topic that has been popularized as a means test for conservatism. First topic is abortion. Is being pro-life a “true” resemblance of a conservative, and why?

Election 2012 is sure to add more fuel to the political fire, so before the GOP and Democrats start collecting fire wood, I ask for a return to an “Era of Good Feelings”.

The “Era of Good Feelings” marked a period in the political history of the United States that reflected a sense of national purpose and a desire for unity among Americans in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.

Today’s political speech has become so demonizing and belittling, it is very easy to conclude why fundamental issues like deficit reduction can’t be addressed.

Before a truce is called, let’s first understand what a political Ideology is or should be. A political ideology is simply a conclusion of opinions on the conduct government. However, ideology should center around actual facts, figures, and circumstances. The ideology must then be delivered in an objective manner, not a delivery of feelings and biases. Respect for ideology is lost and mockery constructed against those when clear disregard for actual facts are given.

Far too many in the electorate have constructed their idealogy by means of reacting to a particular person, policy, and not pure idealism. This is problematic, because issues become the person and not politics.

So when disagreement arises simple disagreement isn’t felt, yet the belief the opposing view has the intention of being against their entire health and well being. These fears conjured up from feelings and not fact.

How are we to balance our budget, revamp our education system, and improve transportation when one simply disagrees with another they think the disagreement stems from bigotry, racism, sexism, or some other discriminating measures?

When true displays of the aforementioned elements are shown, then address it. More importantly address the person.

The unnecessary fractions have gone on for too long. If we don’t act quick enough, the fractions will be permanent divisions.

It was the summer of 1988 when fans of hip hop, the musical industry, and the nation as a whole were introduced to the five man rap group named NWA.

NWA’s debut album “Straight Outta Carolina” was an album laced with raw and vulgar expressions and story telling never heard before in hip hop or in music as a whole. The LA based group shook the industry with their unabashed message of being anti-law enforcement, anti-America, and most of all exposing the lifestyle of a “gangsta”. One who does not take no for answer and gets what he wants, no matter how right or wrong the method.

Hip Hop began in 1988 as it always did, New York based rappers delivering rap songs that expressed the life of New Yorkers. None of these rappers messages were clean enough to perform before a Sunday church crowd, however, there was some biting of the lip in regarding their expression. Public Enemy frontman Chuck D was as anti-establishment and raw as they came, yet he never articulated the need and desire to use violence as a primary way of life. With their angry and no holdsbar attitude,NWA forever changed hip hop.

This brings me to last Saturday’s GOP primary winner Newt Gingrich. Newt Gingrich is much like NWA. No he isn’t new to the political fold, however his style and mannerisms are uncharacteristic of any of his GOP opponents. He’s all telling and unwavering regarding to his principals and positions. Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, and especially Mitt Romeny are those east coast rappers who do deliever their message, however, its done with care and ease. Sometimes even apologetic, not Speaker Gingrich.

Lead candidate Mitt Romney is the embodiment of the pre NWA New York rap scene. New York rap before NWA did showcase the hardships of growing up in drug filled impoverished neighborhoods, however there was little to no embracing and certainly no glorifying the hardships and what it took to overcome it.

Mitt Romeny over the past several months has stayed away from expressing and standing firm on key components of conservatism. He has done this to not offend and anger the media, GOP establishment, and even other potential opponents, both President Obama and GOP candidates.

Gingrich has consistently, and none more than his performance in the January 19 debate, of articulating his position but doing so with emotional passion and the delivery of confidence. A confidence which in aggreance or not, affirms to all his insurance conservatism and a Republican is not the best choice, but only choice to right the wrong in this country.

In 1988 and going into the 1990′s, many critics of NWA thought for sure the LA “Gangsta” image would fade and serve no place among the great rappers of the east. Critics since his campaign was in total shambles in the spring of 2011, has said Gingrich has no staying powering and will fade.

At the time of this publication, Gingrich is currently soaring in the polls. A showing this his style of campaigning and debating, his former personal social behaviors, and lack of funding and establishment support isn’t turning off republican voters nationwide.

Also at the time of this publication “TM:103: Hustlerz Ambition” by Atlanta based “gangsta” rapper “Young Jeezy” is currently the number one rap album in the country.

Looks as if people have a taste for those who have a liking to being bold and expressive.

(Originally posted at Hip Hop Republican: http://hiphoprepublican.com/general/2012/01/25/trae-lewis-straight-outta-carolina/)