I came across this flyer purportedly sent out by the Democratic Party of Washington County and would like to respond as a member of the Washington County TEA Party. Our meetings are held right after the Democratic Party holds their meetings, in the same room, and I invited a few of the Democratic people to come and enjoy a meal with us but was told that, “we” would not want them there. I disagreed and said that as long as you love your country and God, anyone was welcome. I do not, nor anyone I know, believe that “African American are second class citizens”
I have tried many times to politely disagree on issues and will continue to do so. With that said, I would like to correct many of the points on the flyer.
First- No party can take your right to vote away. The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution have ensued that right. Regarding the 13th Amendment to end slavery, 118 Republicans voted for the 13th and of the 82 Democrats in office, only 19 voted to end slavery.
Regarding the 14th Amendment declaring former slaves were full citizens, 94 % of Republicans voted for the bill while not one Democrat voted for the passage.
Regarding the 15th Amendment explicitly securing the voting rights for blacks, it was passed without one Democrat from either north or south voting for it.
Second- Fredrick Douglass, following the Civil War, received Presidential appointments by four Republican Presidents and removed by a Democrat President. He studied the Constitution and concluded that it was an anti-slavery document and said, “it will be found to contain principals and purposes entirely hostile to the existence of slavery” this quote is from an address he gave on the fourth of July, 1852.
The 41st and 42nd Congress of the United States had the first black Americans elected to the U.S. Congress and all were Republican. They were, Hiram Rhodes Revels, Benjamin Turner, Robert DeLarge, Kosiah Walls, Jefferson Long, Joseph Haney Rainey and Robert Brown Elliott. 4 were born into slavery, most had served in the military and/or were business men and Ministers.
Dr. Martin Luther King did fight for the Voting Rights Act and preached a society that looked at character not color and although LBJ was President when the Voting Rights Act was passed, 83% of Republicans voted for the passage and though the Democrats held a majority in Congress, Johnson could only get 198 to vote for passage.
Third- The voter ID laws require the same ID needed to get on an airplane, sign up for utilities, and buy certain items of consumption. Even admittance to the NAACP Convention required picture ID and there was not a word about keeping people out.
Fourth – The flyer would have you believe that Republicans attack President Obama because of his race when the policies are the issues attacked. When in fact, President Obama has been attacked by both sides on the very same issues as President George W. Bush!
Fifth- The flyer referenced a belief about the arrest rate but had no statistics, I would like to see the statistics, and personally would want to find the reason if it were true.
Sixth- When referencing Ferguson, Missouri, the authors of the flyer are using fear and intimidation rather than education for their fellow citizens. By 1875, a decade after the Civil War, Republicans had passed almost two dozens civil rights laws and black legislators played a crucial part in that. One man, Representative Robert Brown, a black legislator from S. Carolina said, “Democratic Party of the South…exhibits the declared purpose to defeat the ballot with the bullet and other coercive means…” this from the Congressional Globe, 42nd Congress, 1st Session.
Seventh- The flyer stated that African Americans are underrepresented in Washington County. I call that completely untrue. There is representation, a person must be engaged and go to their Representative. Our Washington County Representatives are for all of us not just a particular color. Take the initiative and let your elected representatives know what you expect of them. Whether it be in church or the government, do not be sheep.
Eighth- The line “take voting seriously” is true. In the State of Texas, if you commit a felony and after being found guilty, it is correct that you cannot vote. However, all convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
Finally, I do agree that we should all take our civic duty more seriously and become educated in the political arena. Vote for the candidate that shares your beliefs, your morals and have high character. They work for “We the people” and for our country to work, we must all be involved. We will not always agree but there will be times when we will find common ground. George Dillingham and I may not share many common goals but we did agree with the Commissioner’s Court and their handling of the increase in a pay raise for someone not to long ago. We can find common ground and I believe it will be through our Love of God, Country and Family.
Sandra Kindt
Washington County TEA Party Chairman