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No, We Can't Trust Rand Paul on Race Issues, Says Civil Right's Pioneer
http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/no-we-cant-trust-rand-paul-race-issues-says-civil-rights-pioneer
Civil Rights pioneer and former Kentucky state Sen. Georgia Davis Powers.
Steven Rosenfeld: I understand that Rand Paul opened a campaign office in the African-American section of Louisville, and spoke about racial justice at the National Urban League’s conference. You’re saying don’t be fooled. Why?
Georgia Davis Powers: I have been involved in politics for the past 50 years. I go by a person’s record. And his voting record does not show me that he is sincere. And I believe that he’s reaching out into the African-American community trying to bring more votes for himself and his party, but understand that our trust has to be earned. And he has not proven to me that he has earned the trust of the African-American community. I look at his record and he has been opposed to so many things that I have fought for, for years, having served in the Kentucky Senate for 21 years. I know your record is your legacy.
SR: What is that record that people need to know about?
GDP: Some of his actions. He opposes the minimum wage, which I support. He wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, take healthcare away from 421,000 Kentuckians. He wants to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. And he opposes the Paycheck Fairness Act, which ensures that men and women are paid equally for equal work. I have been fighting for that for many many years. He voted against the Violence Against Women Act. And he opposes lowering interest rates on student loan borrowers, which I support. His record to me belies trusting him now.
SR: Behind one’s voting record are one’s beliefs. What does Rand Paul believe?
GDP: I would say that he is the great pretender. His belief system to me is a farce. I do not believe that he is sincere. I believe that he has a motive for delving into the black community, to convince black Americans that he is sincere. He must earn our trust. We don’t give it freely.