Tax Bill Won't Benefit Middle Class

As Published in the Washington Times, 12/19/17 By: William J. Booker

The Republican Tax plan lowers the corporate tax rate; citing that America has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. They want to bring jobs to the United States by lowering the tax rate, BUT none of this makes sense. Companies don't make their decision on where to locate solely on tax rates. They make their decision based on cheap labor. Lowering the tax rate does little--if anything at all to drive the economy.

America has a very strong, robust and innovative economy with millions of consumers. The most fundamental concepts of economics is supply and demand.

I doubt that companies like Apple are sitting around thinking, hey lets lower our prices so more people can afford to buy the new iPhone X. Thus, lowing the corporate tax rate doesn't translate to foreign companies wanting to run to set up shop in America because the price just went down.

"It's wrong to run a corporate fire sale at the expense of American consumers who can barely afford to feed their families." 

The plain truth is, the average corporate tax rate is about 28% which is passed down to consumers anyway. If Republicans really want to help the economy grow; they would pass a tax bill that puts more money in the hands of people who need it the most--the middle class.

#MeetThePress #FireSale #America #Business #Democrats #Republicans #Politics #NewYorkTimes #NewYorkPost #ChicagoSuntimes #ChicagoTribune #TaxBill #MiddleClass

Pulling the plug on the NFL

As published in by the Washington Times by William J. Booker, October 10, 2017. 

One thing black folks have in common with the #NFL is the billions of dollars we represent in sports marketing. We must learn to use our collective influences to affect change where there is racial injustice and disparity in our communities.

The NFL is the most successful sports league in history, garnering over $13 billion annually. Yet the handful of white owners who control the 70 percent of African-American football players representing the majority of the league have a lot to lose when they forget who really controls their bottom line. It's TV revenue, not ticket sales that makes the NFL a lucrative business model. However, it's advertisers who would really have something to say if Black players failed to show up for work on Monday.

The “psychographics” behind TV commercials is how advertisers target us for our dollars. When you see a commercial with only white people but you hear black music (i.e. the Temptations or Stevie Wonder) in the background, who do you think the target market is? If you guessed both black and white folks, you’re right. It’s how advertisers get away with taking millions from people of color without hiring one. Needless to say, one commercial in a thousand markets is far cheaper than two commercials (one with a black family and one with a white family) in a thousand markets.

So how do we use this information to our advantage? Licensing deals advertisers make with R&B artists must be STOPPED! When advertisers have to pay more money to target us for their products, our fight becomes their fight, too. The sound of money being made or lost is the only sound some people — black or white — will be willing to listen to and take a knee for under any circumstances.

Repost: Washington Times: 10/10/17

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/10/letter-to-the-editor-pull-the-plug-on-the-nfl/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN:

Secrets, Lies & Deception

It's clear to most Americans that the Trump Administration fully supports the agenda of white nationalists, however it's more important to understand how every advancement ​that ​this country has made ​towards denouncing racial ​inequality, bigotry and discrimination has endured.

​The Emancipation Proclamation in 1​863, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Affirmative action in 1961​, ​the Civil Rights Act of 1968​, and the first Black President​; all mark the successful path and struggles African Americans have made and continue to make in the fight for racial equality.

T​his country is undoubtedly moving in the right direction, and trying to heal from the horrible past of slavery, ​despite the best efforts of white supremacist. Public monuments to the Confederacy are symbolism's that ​perpetuates bigotry, racial intolerance and hate;​​ ​which have become painful reminders to Black people of what their ancestors had to endure, and why many African Americans are still ​today ​trying to overcome over 400 years of oppression.

It also ​explains​ why President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are pursuing a case of reverse discrimination ​for white students at Universities across the country. The fight for white privilege in this country is strong---but ​the battle ​is ​soon to be lost even with the President's support.  

"What ​the media has failed to report, is what ​the KKK, White Supremacist and other hate groups are really afraid of​ ​next; which is ​reparations​ to African-Americans​ for human rights violations including public lynching, rape and other atrocities towards enslaved victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade."   

Donald Trump and the Neo-Nazi 'alt-right' knows the case for reparations is the only thing of significance left on the table in the ongoing conversation about reconciliation for slavery; and there's nothing he or his racists cohorts can do to stop this country from acknowledging its horrible past and moving forward to atone for over a century of enslavement, persecution, domestic terrorism and racial inequality for people of African descent.          

In fact, Trump actually ​alluded to it when ran to be President, when he stated that if he won the election "African​ ​Americans would love him more than President Obama". A wise man once said, be careful of your foot...it may find your mouth. 

For information about reparations visit: https://www.facebook.com/ReparationsReportCenter

Outcry for the Casualties of War

Right now, as you sit safe in your home, enjoying the beautiful day with your family, the United States of America is busy bombing hundreds of innocent men, women and children in Mosul and  northern Syrian. 

In fact, 230 mostly women and children have already been killed by American forces in Mosul. The Trump administration has even sped up the process of approving airstrikes, and an official review is underway to approve attacks without presidential consent. 

"I understand why people in Islamic States hate Americans; and burn our flag. Currently 400,000 civilians are reportedly trapped between all the fighting, without food or water, in the US lead NATO effort to keep Americans safe from Isil; and the number of civilian deaths are growing everyday." 

Don't get me wrong, I love America, but how proud are we to be living in a country, where we cry about the craziest things. Great efforts are constantly being made to keep all Americans safe at airports, but long airport TSA security lines, and airport carry on restrictions have blinded most Americans from even viewing the bigger picture. 

Instead of criticizing airport security, and baggage restrictions, we should be thankful and praying for the victims of war, and all the suffrage and destruction that is beyond the imaginations of most Americans. These people, though we know not who they are; are considered to be casualties of war, and have given much more than just their lives, so that you and I--may enjoy ours. Travel in peace.

Chicago Police Misconduct Hurts Homeless

Every time a police officer shoots and kills an unarmed person of color, the cost of racial injustice often results in multi-million dollar settlements with little or no accountability for many of the officers involved. More millionaires have been created as a result of official police misconduct, wrongful convictions, excessive-force cases and civil rights violations than any other time in American history. Yet, police officers involved in these cases are often cleared of all charges, regardless of public outrage.

The problem is that the criminal justice system has allowed the rights of black and brown men and women to be gradually trampled over by police officers at the expense of taxpayers and the loss of public-trust.

"Between 2012 and 2015, the city of Chicago paid $210 million in police misconduct-lawsuits, and over 23 million this year alone to help protect bad cops."

Though all the money Chicago has doled out, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and city officials have failed to contribute any significant funding to help the over 140,000 homeless men, women and children who remain out in the cold. It's time city officials reevaluates the way it spends taxpayers' money, and acknowledge that the police department's money-train is a liability the city of Chicago can no longer afford to keep running.

HARD KNOCK LIFE :: BY WILLIAM J. BOOKER

“HARD KNOCK LIFE”

Everyday is an infusion of the last,

I almost comatose'd when the judge gave me a pass. 

I think about the times when I use to get high for thrills.

I didn’t give a damn if they were elderly or kids.

I took what I wanted,

cause I never had dreams.

I ran away from foster home at the age of thirteen.

I brought what I wanted, 

and I could go where I pleased. 

I knew all the pimps and the hustlers...they all knew me.

On the south side of Chicago, 

I grew up in Englewood, where if you weren’t in a gang,

you were misunderstood. 

P Stones, 

Black Stones and Disciples ran the show,

and when you stepped off the bus,

your black ass better know.

Back then I made the choice to do all the wrong things.

But as I stood before the judge,

suddenly my heart begin to sing.

Lord forgive me for all wrong, that I caused so many people.

I know I don’t deserve it,

but all I need is your forgiveness.

Everyday is an infusion of the last,

I almost comatose'd when the judge gave me a pass.

:: Hard Knock Life ::