Allen West threatens to leave the Congressional Black Caucus

In a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus chair Emannuel Cleaver Allen West threatened to leave the CBC if the CBC did not condemn recent comments by CBC Members Maxine Waters and Andre Carson. I don't know how much of a threat it when many of your CBC colleagues will pack your sh** and the other half will hold the door open for you but you can read West' letter to the CBC Chairman below:






The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver
Chairman
Congressional Black Caucus
United States House of Representatives
1433 Longworth HOB
Washington DC 20515

It has come to my attention, from the numerous statements made by my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus over the last secerl weeks, that in order to cover for the failings of the Obama Administration and the economic policies which have led to unemployment of more than 15% of the Black community, the CBC strategy is to deminize the Tea Party.

It is unconscionable when a fellow CBC member, Congressman Andre carson comes to South Florida and claims that some in the Tea Party would love to see black Americans "hanging on a tree" It is appalling to hear another CBC member Maxine waters say "The Tea Party can go straaight to hell."

As chairman of the CBC I believe it is incumbent on you to both condemn these types of hate-filled comments and to disassociate the Congressional Black Caucus from these types of remarks. Otherwise I will have to seriously reconsider my membership.

As we prepare to honor the legacy of Dr. martin Luther King Jr. over the coming weeks, with a new memorial on the National mall, it is important that we, as Representatives to the United States Congress - Representatives for all of our constituents -live by what Dr. King taught and ultimately gave his life for-that "people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Congressman Carson's desire to generally criticize a large grassroots group as racist is baseless and desperate. When individuals believe that they are defeated in a political disagreement, they normally resort to race baiting, which in my opinion is racist.

As a member of the CBC I look forward to working with you to help end this practice. Al of us especially Congressman Carson, Congresswoman Waters and others who have engaged in racially motivated rhetoric, should follow the the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not by the example of Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

One nation, our black communities, as well as every American community are facing many problems. I wholeheartedly believe that every member of the CBC wants to ensure every American citizen has the opportunity to pursue happiness and success, regardless of race or religion.

Let us not take the failed policies of the Obama Administration and the Great Society - policies which one of the original CBC members, Congressman Charles Rangel admits have failed - and make the Tea Party movement the scapegoats.

The Tea Party movement which stands for "Tax Enoughed Already" is made up of millions of Americans who want to see our government exercise fiscal responsibility and whose hope is a restoration of American Exceptionalism that has made the United States the leader of the free world.

Tea Party Leaders have condemned the few racist statements made by those who claim to be Tea Party activist in the past, and the Tea Party Leaders will continue to condemn those rare acts in the future.

I look forward to having a productive discussion with you and the entire Congressional Black caucus on how we begin to reverse the trends of the last few years and the sense ofAmerican Exceptionalism that transcends the concept of the "Balkanization" of our country. The American people- all American people-except nothing less from their Representatives in Congress.

Steadfast and Loyal,
Allen B. west
Member of Congress