August 25, 2025

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - For those of us who are not living in poverty, we may not fully understand the plight suffered by those who are poor. Unless we have been there ourselves, we cannot understand life and survival totally from their perspective. This is true despite having degrees of empathy and compassion. It takes a lasting moral commitment to become sensitive to recognizing and addressing the systemic barriers that keep people impoverished. However, we can never intimately relate to the hardships without experiencing them.

Breaking the cycle of poverty means that discrimination and racism need to be discerned and confronted at every turn. Breaking the cycle of poverty means addressing the root causes, such as lack of access to housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and economic opportunities. Insight into these challenges will enable fair-minded policymakers to propose effective social programs and economic policies that will provide a reliable safety net, reducing suffering. In doing so, these lawmakers are fulfilling a moral and social responsibility by addressing the root causes of poverty. Unfortunately, not all policymakers are fair-minded and moral. While immoral lawmakers may also have a degree of insight, they have proven to be strategic and proactive in crafting ways to cut the social safety net.

Many of us are not in a situation where we have to deal with the issue of family remittances. Millions of migrants support their families and communities of origin through the money they send back home (remittances). Remittances impact 1 in 8 people worldwide. About 200 million immigrant workers support 800 million family members in their home countries each year. While Haitian immigrants face economic challenges, they continue to send a significant portion of their earnings home, often at a personal sacrifice by working multiple jobs or foregoing their own needs to support relatives abroad. “Haiti is literally being held together by those of us who are outside of the country and sending money back home,” said Guerline Jozef, co-founder of Haitian Bridge Alliance. Haiti’s decades-long humanitarian crisis deepens each day, forcing immigrants to send record-high payments back home in recent years. Each Haitian immigrant living abroad supports a dozen or so friends, family, or community members in their home country, many of whom rely on those payments to survive, Jozef says. Remittances make up a significant portion of Haiti’s economy, representing more than 22% of its GDP. For many families, it determines whether children can attend school.

While the pain resulting from the gutting of foreign aid from USAID is still fresh, the recently enacted 1% U.S. tax on cash remittances as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” hurts even more. Typically, remittances increase when foreign aid is cut, but that will not be as easy since many countries are hit by cuts in foreign aid and taxes on money transfers. A 1% tax may appear small, but the consequences are massive.

In this case, the specific target of this surcharge will inflict additional emotional and financial pain on people who are already suffering and can least afford another deliberate hit to the safety net, which will disproportionately impact poor families. Most low-income and undocumented migrants use cash-based services such as Western Union, which are subject to the tax, while wealthier individuals who use bank transfers are exempt. Haiti is not alone. In over 60 countries, remittances make up more than 3% of the GDP. In some places, remittances make up over a quarter of the entire economy. Haitians could lose about $61 million annually in direct payments for food, shelter, and healthcare, according to the Center for Global Development. Globally, the losses will amount to approximately $4.5 billion.

Lawmakers and lobbyists who developed the details of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” are fully aware of how cash remittances serve as a vital financial lifeline and safety net for many of the world’s poorest families. “The purpose is not to be mean,” said Ira Mehlman, who works at the anti-immigrant Federation for American Immigration Reform. The group lobbied hard for the 1% tax, which Mehlman hopes will encourage immigrants to self-deport. Actually, this is being mean-spirited and another way of waging war against people experiencing poverty and immigrants. The wealthy receive their tax cut while the poor receive a tax increase that will have little impact on the budget over the next decade. “It’s really a drop in the bucket for this country, but elsewhere, that kind of money is transformative,” said Dulce Guzman, executive director of Alianza Americas, a network of immigrant-serving groups based in Chicago. Again, another hit from the party that believes in “family values and cohesion.”

David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization TRB: The Reconciled Body, and the author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.

August 13, 2025

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - “The political philosophy of black nationalism only means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community. The time when white people can come in our community and get us to vote for them so that they can be our political leaders and tell us what to do and what not to do is long gone. By the same token, the time when that same white man, knowing that your eyes are too far open, can send another negro into the community, get you and me to support him so he can use him to lead us astray, those days are long gone too.”  Malcolm X – The Ballott or the Bullett- April 3, 1964

In theory, the fundamental premise of American democracy is “one man (or person), one vote.”  Under the original concept of Jeffersonian Democracy, in most states access to the franchise was limited to White males who owned at least a fifty-acre plot of land. Towards the end of the 18^th century and early into the 19^th century, states began lifting the property and education requirements for White males. African Americans were legally granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1870.  Women were granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 19^th Amendment in 1920.

Even though the franchise had become constitutionally protected for African Americans, in many states, especially in the South and mid-West, African Americans faced state-enforced systemic disenfranchisement. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1, of the Constitution known as the "Elections Clause," gives state legislatures the power to prescribe the "Times, Places, and Manner" of holding elections for senators and representatives.  There are other constitutional provisions that address presidential elections.

For decades state-enforced, systemic disenfranchisement was the order of the day in many states across the country. Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. These laws affected all aspects of everyday life for African Americans, from impacting the ability to go to school, access to housing, employment, travel and access to public accommodations to voting.  The implementation of literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clauses and direct personal physical intimidation were all tools used to keep African Americans from voting.

Congress and the Supreme Court came to the rescue (or so it was thought) with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 1964 Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and eliminated many of the voter discrimination tactics that had been used to suppress the African American vote.  The 1965 Act prohibited racial discrimination in voting and empowered the federal government to oversee state elections. The 1965 Act is considered by many to be the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted because it changed the relationship between the federal and state governments relative to voting.

As America celebrates the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 it is important to realize that it and other acts before it are under attack. These acts primarily deal with the processes or “mechanics” of voting, not the “business” of electoral politics. 

For evidence related to the process or mechanics of voting being under attack you can turn to the work of investigative journalist Greg Palast. In his piece, Trump Lost. Vote Suppression Won. Palast documents how “…if all legal voters were allowed to vote, if all legal ballots were counted, Trump would have lost the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Vice-President Kamala Harris would have won the Presidency with 286 electoral votes… As in Bush v. Gore in 2000…this election was determined by good old “vote suppression,” the polite term we use for shafting people of color out of their ballot. We used to call it Jim Crow.”

Based upon Palast’s research, here are key data points that he was able to uncover related to mechanics of the process:

• 4,776,706 voters were wrongly purged from voter rolls according to US Elections Assistance Commission data.
• By August of 2024, for the first time since 1946, self-proclaimed “vigilante” voter-fraud hunters challenged the rights of 317,886 voters. The NAACP of Georgia estimates that by Election Day, the challenges exceeded 200,000 in Georgia alone.
• No less than 2,121,000 mail-in ballots were disqualified for minor clerical errors (e.g. postage due).
• At least 585,000 ballots cast in-precinct were also disqualified.
• 1,216,000 “provisional” ballots were rejected, not counted.
• 3.24 million new registrations were rejected or not entered on the rolls in time to vote.

In the context of the ‘business” of electoral politics, since the 2010 supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporations and unions have been granted the same First Amendment free speech rights as individuals. Corporations and other entities can spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns.  Hence, the “business” of electoral politics.

According to an April 2024 article in The Guardian entitled, Pro-Israel US groups plan $100m effort to unseat progressives over Gaza  – “The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is betting that $100m will be enough to fight back a wave of progressive dissent over Israel’s war in Gaza this election cycle… The 2024 election will be bellwether of the enduring impact of these groups on US politics amid shifting US public opinion on Israel.”

Many voters are confused. They can’t understand why in so many instances the individuals they elect to represent their interests, get to Congress and represent the interests of outside forces.  In the African American community many wonder if the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), originally known as the “Conscience of the Congress” has become unconscious? I published a piece to that effect in 2022, wherein I wrote, “Now is the time for the African American community to take stock, not of the original 13 members of the CBC, but of the current 58.  Are they in fact addressing the problems facing the African American community?  Are they taking effective “group-action”? Has the “conscience of the Congress” become unconscious? Have they devolved into a comprador class of relatively privileged, wealthy and educated natives of a colonized land that have been "bought" by the colonizers? More simply put by the late Glen Ford, have they become “the Black Misleadership Class”?”

Just look at the data. According to Open Secrets and the numbers for the 2023 - 2024 election cycle based on Federal Election Commission data, Rep. Ritchie Torres received $1,635,583 from the Securities & Investment industry and $535,798 from AIPAC. During that same period, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jefferies received $866,425 from AIPAC. Rep. Gregory Meeks received $510,128 from the Pro-Israel industry (as classified by Open Secrets) and another $448,828 directly from AIPAC.  According to a 2024 report from JStreet, the JStreetPAC – the political fundraising arm of the pro-Israel advocacy group J Street – announced it has raised over $6M for the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.

It is important to understand that what is documented here is not illegal. This is “pay to play” politics in America aka “He who pays the piper calls the tune”.  As a result of the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporations and unions have been granted the ability to use money as free speech.  

Listeners to my programs ask, “does my vote matter” and “what do I have to do to bring about change?” Yes, your vote does matter, but voting is not enough. Too many people believe that once the vote is cast the job is done. The reality is, that’s when the work starts.  Change takes constant pressure, engagement, and yes… finances.  Too many in the African American community continue to vote for representatives who are paid by outside forces to support issues that are not in the best interest of the community.  Simply put, the community does not control the representatives it elects because the community is not paying to play. That’s why, as Fred Hampton said, by engaging in this process in the prescribed manner you continue to, “… come up with answers that don’t answer, explanations that don’t explain, you’ll come up with conclusions that don’t conclude…” They can’t make it make sense.

As America celebrates the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it is important to realize that it and other civil rights acts are under attack.  The fundamental elements of democracy are under attack.  Steve Bannon, the “Trump whisperer”, was very clear. They are engaged in “…a daily fight for ‘deconstruction of the administrative state…’” It’s a direct assault on the processes or “mechanics” of voting coupled with the “business” of electoral politics.  Don’t ever forget, “He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune!” Also, if you don’t pay for a seat at the table, you will probably be on the menu.

Dr. Wilmer Leon is a nationally broadcast radio talk-show host. Author of Politics Another Perspective. Host of the podcast Connecting the Dots w/ Dr. Wilmer Leon. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com © 2025 InfoWave Communications, LLC

July 27, 2025

Richard McDaniel

Kevin Harris

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - A common Republican talking point is that Democrats can’t be trusted to manage major cities. Donald Trump and his Republican allies can barely hide their disdain for Democrats of color leading America’s largest cities. They deride these Mayors as “DEI” hires who want lawlessness and crime to run rampant while their cities decline. 

Look no further than the immediate attacks on Zohran Mamdani following his impressive primary win in New York City. Trump Republicans - and quite frankly too many Democrats - immediately railed against Mamdani as a socialist who would destroy New York should he win the general election.

But if Democrats want to finally start winning again and attracting back working class voters, they would be wise to lean into the lessons that Democratic Mayors teach us. 

Democratic sniping since Mamdani’s victory is causing the party to lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Mamdani was wise to focus on meeting New Yorkers where they are and engaging non-traditional voters with a crisp consistent message on how life is only getting more expensive. His message offered a strong contrast as Republicans double down on policies that will only exacerbate the affordability crisis facing working class Americans.

And for those who can’t vibe with Mamdani because of his proud democratic socialist affiliations, then consider two mayors from the Democratic mainstream. Birmingham Alabama’s Randall Woodfin and Baltimore Maryland’s Brandon Scott have successfully built impressive records on crime reduction, economic revitalization and blight elimination. 

Each knows that working-class voters judge Democrats not by our rhetoric, but by our track record: Can you make my street safer? Can you bring jobs to my neighborhood? Can you keep my rent from skyrocketing?"

These mayors have married progressive populism with actual results oriented pragmatism. They like to make their points by getting things done. Each understands that progressive positions without actually delivering results won’t win back the working class. In the South we call this plain common sense. 

By focusing on common sense results, Mayors Woodfin and Scott dispel Republican tropes about Black leadership and the ability of Democrats to deliver for the working class. They show that Democrats know how to run government. And images of both doing the work as dedicated young Black fathers further suspends the notion that Black men are to be feared, lack work ethic and aren’t serious about our families and communities. 

Mayor Scott has reduced homicides to a 50-year low without starving the government or defunding the police. Similarly, Mayor Woodfin has reduced violent crime by investing millions into crime prevention while boosting incentives for police officers. 

Both mayors are offering life coaching, job placement, mental health services, and safe alternatives alongside effective police enforcement.

They are investing in people through blight elimination and true economic revitalization that centers the working class and their desire to live in safe, affordable, and clean communities. 

Their cities are thriving despite a Republican agenda at all levels of government focused on starving services for the working class, as highlighted by Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which dramatically shifts resources away from the poor and working class toward the uber wealthy. Despite these headwinds, Mayors Scott and Woodfin continue delivering for their cities. They are demonstrating that for Democrats the pathway back to power rests on a clear and concise message for the working class backed by actual results.  

The usual Republican attacks ring hollow for these two Mayors because the results speak for themselves. They are painting a clear contrast for the working class to see between effective Democratic governance or more chaos and brutal assaults on the working class by Republican policies. 

As Democrats start to assess the playbook for 2026 and 2028, we’d be wise to look at the leadership and lessons from two of our brightest stars in Birmingham and Baltimore. 

Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel are veteran Democratic strategists of over 100 political campaigns, including the past five presidential elections and several congressional campaigns. Together they co-host the “Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast.”

July 27, 2025

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The Tangerine Man is trying to have us remain silent about his friendship with the notorious Jeffrey Epstein. He’s filed yet another lawsuit to silence the Wall Street Journal!  He says he told them not to publish the article about a relationship he is trying to forget, but now, along with Atty. General Pam Bondi who said she had the list of Trump’s close buddies who partied with him and underaged girls—but now denies. 89 percent of the people want the full records released! 

Numerous pictures of Trump and Epstein partying down together, talking about women in a way of what kind of women they like, such as those on the younger side, are available. We see him at his home laughing, bopping and whispering to Epstein about the women in the room.  We don’t know where things went from there with other friends, but we do know some of the young women victims have talked about what happened to them with Trump and Epstein.

I have great sympathy for the women who were exploited—and still suffer from the experiences. Their stories disappeared until now.  While the pain will never go away, perhaps the truth about what happened to them will give them peace to know someone believed them and cared—and that at least someone other than the woman who is serving prison time, will be exposed for the alleged crimes against them. 

While there’s so much going on in the world that we want to let the MAGA, and ex-MAGA people work to resolve the chaos and give the victims some sense of justice, I want to spend the rest of my column to talk about great men and women and what they are doing to make this a better world. If you haven’t already become acquainted with Cpt. Ibrahim Traore’ of Burkina Faso in Africa, I want to urge you to do so because he represents the best of being a man, and what’s going on with what women are doing for their country. 

Cpt.Traore’,as a young man, met Blaise Compaore’ -- a man I had met years ago, and had high hopes for him—but he’s now living in exile. Traore’ met Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, and he learned from him.  One day, he rose up as a leader at great risk and declared“We’re not our grandfathers. We don’t beg.  We don’t bow. We fight back with Africa in our hearts.”

For too many years, he had witnessed the resources of the continent being stolen by outsiders while they do nothing to upgrade and improve life for our brothers and sisters in Africa. When he spoke, other African leaders stood with him. As usual for Black women everywhere, African women stood with him actively. They’re, without fancy tools, using their hands, building roads to connect with their children’s schools and other important community places.  Some are working all day elsewhere, and after work are spending time building those roads. The women have declared “If Captain Traore’ can risk his life for our country, then we can be here to do our part.”

 I pray for them while knowing the danger they face, but even more, I pray for the men and women in this country who are silent without that kind of faith in each other so that we can overcome the actions of the current President who is doing everything he can to set us back, to dishonor our ancestors, to disregard our history and our contributions to this country.  While many are trying to turn back the hands of time, we’re finding too many of our people joining them and working against our best interests. I pray that we’ll take a lesson from the people of Burkina Faso and come together while others are trying to tear us down.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society.