~Hey everyone this is Marcus just wanted you all to know today I will testify in front of the DC Republican Committee about adding Faith-Based Inmate Rehabilitation and Public School Choice to the DC Republican Platform.

DC Republican Committee Platform Testimony

By Marcus Skelton,

Good evening, Chairman Kabel, and fellow members of the DC Republican Committee. I would like to thank you for allowing me to submit my personal testimony to the committee. My name is Marcus Skelton, Chairman of the District of Columbia Young Republicans and a resident of Anacostia. I hope this will being a dialogue about the future of the Republican Party in American politics, especially in major cities. First, I would like to say that our party can and must compete in every election held in every major city with our principles of individual empowerment and efficient government.

Second, I believe we must debate every issue people face in major cities to earn the support of a growing number of citizens who choose not to officially register with either party. The issues debated at water coolers, dinner tables, town hall forums, barbershops, and beauty salons across the country must be debated publicly because I believe the government that works is the one that empowers individuals by giving choices in life. The rehabilitation of inmates and public school choice may not have been the most popular topic in Republican circles but our principles offer real solutions to these issues. As the Republican Party, we must move forward and be a model for others to follow.


Faith Based Inmate Rehabilitation.

During campaign seasons, liberal politicians spend a large amount of time in churches to court and convince voters that their lofty goals and promises will be fulfilled once they have obtained their respective offices. Subsequently, after the campaign season, their relationship with faith-based community ends until the next election cycle. Keeping this example in mind we must approach this relationship in a different manner by strengthening our relationship with the faith based community. This can be done by partnering to rehabilitate inmates in correctional facilities with direct assistance from the faith community

Churches across the country realize that they must help the forgotten and many have developed outreach ministries with correctional facilities. We, as a party, should join in support of this effort. Former Speak Newt Gingrich, has recently highlighted that our liberal government does not address the struggles inmates endure while incarcerated and once they are re-introduced to communities where they once committed offenses. The faith-based community's message of hope, perseverance, and forgiveness is a guide to many inmates who believe their future is hopeless and that society has forgotten them. Our party has not forgotten because it has been proven that inmates who are introduced to faith while incarcerated are less likely to become repeat offenders. We must move our major cities forward by adding this to our platform.


Public School Choice

We have not taken on the issue of Public Education head on in cities. Too many citizens have and will continue to suffer in this area if we don't push forward. The majority of Republican children attend public schools; therefore public school reforms are of great interest to Republican voters as well. I recommend this committee add Public School Choice to its platform because we live in a city where everyone knows public education is not equal.

It's not fair that in this city some single mothers have work two jobs to provide for their children while making sure they study every night are denied a strong curriculum that not only prepares their kids for gainful employment but also prepares them for a global economy. The business's in the District of Columbia and in other major cities across the country has created more six-figure administrators and consultants while current textbooks, high-speed computers, and basic facilities funding never reach the classrooms of children who live in poorer areas.

It's an embarrassment that big city Democrats allow intelligent children's ambitions, and dreams to die because they are denied a quality public education due to their parents income or zip code. Working class parents deeply care about the education and the economic future of their children. This is the dream of every parent, however too many governments like the District of Columbia deny families the option to choose amongst public schools. Its time for our party to be the agent of change on this issue.

Summary

After our platform is adopted with the inclusion of these initiatives, I believe it will generate a greater discussion about the future of politics and the ability to compete in any city in America. While these issues have been topics of discussion in communities for generations, they have failed to be presented in a forum where either party has adequately addressed the concerns. I believe with this platform the Republican Party can have a serious debate in areas many consider Democratic strongholds and offer people a choice to create a better future. Thank you and if you have any questions I will be glad to answer them.

~Marcus Skelton is State Chairman of the DC Young Republicans and a contributor to HipHopRepublican.com