Rep Mulvaney asking for compromise on Battle Flag Issue

Congressman Mulvaney is asking the SC Legislature to take the time and effort to fashion a compromise that removes the Battle flag in a way that all South Carolinians can rally around with pride and respect. Please read his statement as posted on his facebook page on June 23, 2015 

SC Congressman Mick Mulvaney

I would like to start by saying that I am disappointed that the conversation in South Carolina -- largely driven by those outside our state -- has been focused on a flag, rather than the victims of a heinous crime and their courageous and forgiving families. While I always welcome debate on a divisive issue, I prefer that debate not come on the heels of a tragedy before the victims have even been laid to rest.

In part because of those concerns, I will admit that I have not been as quick to call for the removal of the Confederate Flag from the State House grounds as some others. I remember that the flag is where it is as the result of something that is becoming all too rare in politics: compromise. Indeed, moving the flag from the dome to the grounds in 2000 — and the concomitant establishment of the African-American monument — could be considered as a high point in South Carolina politics: a time when people got together and worked through their differences in a way that all could accept with pride.

South Carolina Heritage Act of 2000

SC African-American monument

And my initial reaction to calls to summarily remove the flag was that such an action would be tantamount to admitting what is not true for many South Carolinians: that the flag is a symbol of hate. Yes, it was for Dylann Roof. In fact, for him it was something even more evil than just hate. But we typically do not allow such people to define what our symbols mean.

But in speaking with many people over the course of the last few days, it has become clear that the flag does, in fact, mean different things to different people in our state. And I blame myself for not listening closely enough to people who see the flag differently than I do. It is a poor reflection on me that it took the violent death of my former desk mate in the SC Senate, and eight others of the best the Charleston community had to offer, to open my eyes to that. And because of those very different — and very valid — impressions of what the flag represented, I admit that the flag has become a distraction: something that prevents us from talking about all that is good about South Carolina. It strikes me as particularly disappointing, for example, that we have spent more time talking about the flag for the last few days than we have talking about the extraordinary display of faith, love, and forgiveness shown by the families of the victims of the shooting in Charleston. If the flag has become an excuse for people to ignore things like that, then perhaps time has come for a change.

I hope that the Legislature can do the same thing now that they did 15 years ago: take the time and effort to fashion a compromise that removes the flag in a way that all South Carolinians can rally around with pride and respect — and with the sense of community that has been on display for the world to see in Charleston in the aftermath of last Wednesday evening. By doing that we will once again have the opportunity to show everyone what is special about our state. Maybe with the flag removed, people will listen.

Finally, I will say this: there is no Confederate flag flying at the state capitol in Missouri, yet Ferguson had race riots; there is no Confederate flag flying at the state capitol in Maryland, yet Baltimore had race riots. There is a Confederate flag flying on the grounds of the state capitol in South Carolina, yet Charleston set an example for the world to marvel at in its response to this atrocity. And of that, I am extraordinarily proud. Perhaps those who are now trying to focus attention on the flag are spending their time on the wrong things.

Mick Mulvaney, US Congressman 5th District South Carolina 

June 23, 2015

I left the funeral for my friend, Clem Pinckney, about an hour or so ago. The service was really powerful and worthy of the man. I thought several speakers were more political than I would expect at a funeral, but I understand there is a strong connection within the AME church for political activism. President Obama gave a good speech, but the best line came from one of the pastors who spoke. In talking about Dylann Roof, the young man charged with the murders, he said, "that man came to Charleston, to Mother Emanuel Church, to Clementa Pinckney's bible study...to try to start a race war. But he came to exactly the wrong place." In fact, "wrong church, wrong people, wrong day."

The people of Charleston continue to put on a display of faith and forgiveness that is an example for the world.   Rep.Mick Mulvaney, June 26, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/MulvaneySC5

Republican or Democrat? Is there a difference?

Some say there is no difference between the two major political parties. 

Some on the far right even call Republican elected officials "RINO", meaning they are Republican In Name Only. They say things like everyone needs to go home or we must defeat the GOP before we begin to fight the Democrats. They name call everyone who does not meet their purity standard.

Tell me what in the world determines if  a person is a "REAL" Republican? If winning the Republican primary to become the party's nominee does not make you Republican, what does?  

There are also folks who believe so strongly in their own thoughts and beliefs that they consider themselves above having a political party affiliation.  These people declare themselves independents.
They are not speaking of the independent political party, folks, but  rather declaring to be an independent agent voting for the "MAN" or should I say, candidate? As though they have some secret intelligent way to determine how a person will perform when elected to a body. 

Do they think a single person elected to any governmental body can make a decision alone in the work of that body? Do they actually think this person will work independently of their party affiliation?

In both these cases, it is apparent that perceived intentions are much more important than actual behavior. 

Should the party affiliation of a candidate tell you anything about the person? Yes, it should. When choosing a political party, each candidate is choosing a platform to stand on. 

Let's take a look at one issue, abortion. Yes, I realize abortion is legal and has been since January 22, 1973. We have been taking the lives of  innocent human babies for over 40 years. Our two major parties have very different opinions on this issue.

Potential candidates are aligning themselves with this plank in one of the two platforms.

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The Republican Party Supports a human life amendment; oppose abortion funding

Faithful to the "self-evident" truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.

We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children.

We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage.

We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.

We oppose the non-consensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from people with disabilities, including newborns, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose active and passive euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Source: 2012 Republican Party Platform

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The Democrat party Strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade

The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. 

We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. 

Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way. 

We also recognize that health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions. 

We strongly and unequivocally support a woman's decision to have a child by providing affordable health care and ensuring the availability of and access to programs that help women during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, including caring adoption programs.

Source: 2012 Democratic Party Platform