Clyburn: We Can Now Truly Tell Children You Can Be Anything You Want

Rep. James Clyburn, one of the most prominent African Americans in Congress, spoke briefly about the broad historical significance of Barack Obama's election as president.

Saying he was moved but not too emotional, the South Carolina Democrat discussed how the most momentous change would be the ability to tell young students with conviction and certainty that they can grow up to be anything they desired.

"The big symbolic thing with this is down with the fourth and fifth graders who can now believe some of the things that are said to them," he said. "These people can begin to believe some of the hyperbole that we have used over the years in dealing with them."

Clyburn said the real emotion came during the primary, when -- after securing the needed number of super delegates -- the idea that America had elected a black man as a presidential nominee truly sunk in. Today, the business of the country weighed down too heavily for him to get overwhelmed by the history or his sentiments.

"That night when the polls closed, it was a very, very emotional night to me and when they announced when Barack Obama would be speaking I slipped out and watched it alone. It was very emotional and it was for a couple of days. I probably got over that and I spent the last few days trying to help my caucus get ready to try and get this economy back on track. So I am not emotional about it as I was back then. I suspect that has to do with the dire straights we are in."

In a separate interview on ABC, Congressman John Lewis, who famously fought some of the harsh civil rights battles that defined American in the 60s, was much more affected by the Obama win, calling it "a nonviolent revolution."

"Well, I tell you, I cried a little today when I cast my vote, and I've been crying for the past few days," he said. "I don't know if I have any tears left.... I think I'm going to shed some more tears before the night is over."

Comments

[scpatl4now]

I remember as a small child the bus boycotts of the 60's. Being Jewish in the south was not picnic either. I remember my mother and other Jewish women carpooling to help. I remember the woman who worked for us (and help raise me), had tears in her eyes when my Mother got there to pick her and the other women up to bring them to work. She was so grateful and would tell me she prayed for my parents and me every Sunday at church. It was a very dangerous thing that my parents did back then. Many of you under 40 dont remember those days and at 45 I barely do (I do remember this though even though i was just older than a todler...its freakish but I do remember things from an early age like this). In my lifetime look how far we have come. I dont know if she is still alive (the woman who worked for us), but if not, she and so many like her are smiling down on us from heaven. Last night was very emotional for me as I am sure it was for many other people who lived in those times

[NationalTreasure]

"...the revolution will not be televised..."

Gil Scott-Heron

http://www.bikesummer.org/1999/notTelevisedLyrics.htm

[Pdubya]

the revolution will test its muster when bread lines start forming.

[chickcheney]

The two big hedlines of the day : "FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED PRESIDENT! ""HUGE DEFEAT FOR GAY RIGHTS!" How ironic! From my perspective, Obama no longers represents change, just the lesser of two evils.

[Pinkmarbles]

And you just figured that out?

[JMBrodie]

How quickly you give up. That battle is not done. Keep fighting. Haven't you learned anything from this election?

And on another point: you are the socond person to make some kind of connection between the two, as if AAs had something to do with the ban. This AA, who is not gay, has longed worked for gay marriage, and would have voted against had I lived in California.

We have work to do to undo a bonehead vote. Let's get to it.

[TAIsabel]

You can be sure that gay rights will be far more proptected under Obama. The decision was not his, it was the voters' in CA. Do not forget that most of the Latino vote is Catholic. As a Catholic I can tell you that they drill this into your brain from day one. I was able to get it drilled out of mine.

[Beka13]

We've been crying too!!! Obama has a mandate to bring our country together no matter who we are!!!! Thank you Misters Clyburn and Lewis for sacrificing to make this possible!!! For the first time in 10 years I am truly proud of my country!!!!!

[Pinkmarbles]

The next step will be into a somewhat gray area. There is already a thriving underground economy, so it is not like anything shall have to be created from scratch. If you work for hire, accept only cash, or if that is not practical, then anonymous "cash cards" that do not require your name, but are accepted like a credit card.

If you do the hiring, keep your work force as small as practical, using temp services to fill in, avoiding cumbersome requirements to provide a benefits package, and maintain staff during periods of under-utilization of their services. Or hire on a day-rate basis, paying in anonymous remittances like cash.

[Pinkmarbles]

Part II

The individual income tax brackets will be subject to review, as there is a sunset clause on the current rates. Do not depend on these expiration dates, as an invigorated Democrat national legislature will repeal this provision, effectively raising taxes immediately, replicating the situation that existed in 1930.

Therefore, the objective is tax avoidance, not tax evasion. There will still be plentiful exceptions written in the tax code, it shall be necessary to ferret them out and apply them to your specific situation. If you do not have a specific situation, create one that will take advantage of these "tax breaks". If possible, always keep your income below the next step up in the tax bracket, by reducing your taxable net by all (legal) means available.

[Pinkmarbles]

Part I

Individually, there is not much that any one of us can do. But over time, and by selective action, there is a lot.

The "collectives" have won - for now. This means, we resist in small ways. There is still a small window of opportunity, in which a vast amount of tax planning, in anticipation of sharply rising tax rates in the near future, may be put into place.

Top rates will rise, but we can guarantee that total tax revenues will fall. Depend on it, capital gains taxes will go sharply higher, and perhaps estate taxes as well. So any transfers that are going to be made, should be made now, at a time of relatively low assessments against accumulated capital.

[democratUSA]

This an incredible moment in history. I never thought in my lifetime we would have a black President.
Now when a small black child is told you can be anything you want to be, even president, they can believe it.

[ArmyCentrist]

LGBT community, it took AAs 400 years of slavery, violence and segregation to get here today...keep trying. I'm not personally for your cause, but judgment is the Lord's alone, and I have no hatred in my heart. God bless ALL of America!

[truthyguy]

This is an historic election - but not mainly because the president-elect is from a mixed race marriage. It is historical because it is the first time in modern history that a person representing all of America was elected by all of America, and the "divide and conquer - pander to special interests - buy the election with lobbyist client money" brand of Bush/Cheney/Rove politics was SOUNDLY rejected in favor of what is best for everyone. Read and/or listen to Barack Obama's speech from last night.

[NPA]

YES WE DID!

[newdreams]

We can, we did, and Yes, we will! :-)

[bbridges1962]

My wife and I sat and held hands and cried together last night (smiling the whole time)! I couldn't the tears from rolling down my face. It was worth every minute of time spent working to get my family to understand the importance of this election. Most of my family are from the deep south...old school. I was amazed when my "Uncle Buford" and his sons voted for OBAMA! The whole world is ready for some change. If the elders in my family can change, PRAISE GOD, anybody can! First morning I have felt hope in a very long time! Welcome to the White House, OBAMA family. America loves you!

[Bowillie]

This is a great day for black Americans true, but it sounds like that is the only reason you voted for Obama. Under the black skin he is just a man, and a liberal one at that. I'm wondering if anyone even paid attention to everything he stands for and the policies he is proposing.
He won't be able to keep most of his promises because the government and the citizens that fund it are broke. He will tax the companies that you work for and will cause lay offs and halt growth.
I expect the disillusionment will be profound.

[TAIsabel]

You wish. Post back two years from now and we will compare notes then.

[CoolNana]

It's funny. I've dreamed about this so long. I can't put words to what I feel. I have tears that are brimming in my eyes but will not fall. I don't know how many days it will be before I can truly verbalize what I felt last night when we knew he had won. But when I can, I will put pen to paper and send a letter to my grandaughter and make sure I tell her in no uncertain terms that Yes she can.

[JMBrodie]

You can record it too. I am going through the same thing. Feels good, doesn't it?

[Whinger]

Barack Obama, the rock upon which New America shall be built.

Happy days!