I know it's a catchy title, but it is true.  During Trump's four years in office, he was at war with America and his favorite weapon of mass destruction was tariffs.  He claimed tariffs would level the playing field and make China pay.  No, Americans paid those tariffs, not China, and Mexico did not pay for the wall. 

On Feb 7th, 2018, a 30% solar module import tariff took effect.  This had a devastating effect on North Carolina.  We were No.2 in the nation following, dare I say California’s renewal solar energy program.  Now were 10th trailing behind Florida.

These tariffs slowed clean energy job creation in North Carolina.  The U.S. solar module prices increased, while the rest of the world saw their prices drop.  I guess that was due to demand for clean energy. 

During the 4 years of solar #tariffs, and according to a Government report by USITC, Trump’s solar tariffs accomplished little.  It hurt the U.S. solar module industry, increased prices, wages dropped, and taxpayers paid greater than $741 million through these tariffs by the end of 2019.

Before Covid19, North Carolina was on track for clean energy job growth.  According to e2.org – nearly 113,000 North Carolinians work in solar, wind, grid modernization, energy storage, clean vehicles at the end of 2019.  However, Covid19 squashed that industry and right now we have lost 19% of clean energy jobs.  22,000 North Carolinians remain unemployed and nationally that is 511,000 Americans. 

Yesterday, Republican Ted Budd (R-NC13) touted he was ready to work with President Biden and in the same breath just 6 hours later he is attacking the President for canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Budd claimed this would kill 10,000 jobs, help Russia, China and referenced a fossil fuel propaganda website to back up the claim.  Funny thing, the State Dept reviewed the project and their report found that it would only create about 3,900 temporary jobs and 15 permanent jobs.  It is clear to me that Budd is using his position to be a mouthpiece for his Big Oil donors.

We must finally move away from fossil fuels.  It is literally killing us, poisoning our lands, water, air and continues to pump green-house gases on the planet.  Moving forward, this is why a Green New Deal is important.  We have the technology right now to get to zero emissions by 2050.  But we need the will of Congress to launch a 10-year plan.  That is why we need to move our country from fossil fuel energy production to clean renewable production. Upgrade the power grid, upgrade buildings to be more energy efficient.  Invest in electric vehicles and improve our transportation system.

Now I am sure Rep. Ted Budd will use those silly fossil fuel propaganda websites he pushes for his Big Oil donor’s.  But the Green New Deal will provide a new economic boom across all sectors of our nation.  Housing, Transportation, Education, Tech Jobs, and new Energy Jobs.  The first step is rejoining the Paris Climate agreement and on his first day in office President Biden did just that.  Now cancel the tariffs.

So, let us roll up our sleeves and work to Build Back Better our nation, our economy and ensure we have a clean and bright future for our children and mother earth.

On January 11th, I tweeted a long thread of Ted Budd's support of Trump's lies on voter fraud.  Here is that thread with receipts.

.On Nov 18th, he brags about introducing a bill to combat voter fraud once and for all. (psst that bill died in the 116th Congress)

Congressman Ted Budd spent the months following the election spreading lies and misinformation about alleged election fraud. He ginned up this propaganda and never once acknowledged any of the 60 plus court cases where absolutely no fraud was even alleged, much less shown, by the Trump legal team. Zero. Yet, on and on Ted Budd went, even going so far as to encourage Republicans to change their voting address to Georgia for the special election to “level the playing field.” Budd was one of the first in a group of the President’s cadre of elected officials who amplified and promoted unproven allegations of election fraud. They then turned around and demanded that the voices of millions of Americans concerned with election fraud be heard. Well, Congressman Budd, you don’t get to light the fire in the house and then complain that no one is putting it out.

Elected officials have a microphone. Their platform is elevated because the people expect them to represent their best interests. When an elected official peddles baseless conspiracy theories, it then becomes rooted in the information ecosystem much faster than if you or I simply said “fraud!” It’s akin to screaming FIRE in a crowded movie theater. People will rush to the exits.

On Wednesday January 6, having been convinced of a “fire” in our body politic, people rushed to the US Capitol to disrupt our most sacred electoral processes because they had been convinced by men like Ted Budd that their votes had been stolen. They hadn’t. Yet, after all of the litigation by Republican judges and even Republican Secretaries of State had shown no evidence of fraud, Budd continued. He never once acknowledged the outcome of any of these cases, lying by omission. He peddled the conspiracies about fraud to curry favor with his party and his President.

Ted Budd is a smart man. He knew Trump lost. He knew the election was free of fraud. He knew he was lying to the voters. That makes his actions even more devious and dangerous. It’s one thing to be ignorant and intellectually incapable of knowing the difference between right and wrong. Budd knew and did so anyway.

His sworn duty was to represent the interests of his constituents and to uphold the Constitution. Instead, Budd fomented anger and refused to properly inform his constituents that there was no fraud and that Joe Biden won the Presidential election in a free and fair manner. Never once has Ted Budd encouraged a smooth and peaceful transfer of power from Trump to Biden. He has only peddled the Big Lie. He violated his oath to uphold the Constitution because he refused to acknowledge that President Trump lost in a free and fair manner that had been litigated over and over and over, to no avail.

If I thought my voting rights had been illegally usurped, I would be upset as well. I would be angry. I would understand if a violent uprising was the only recourse imaginable in the absence of a free and fair election. But that’s not what happened here. Intelligent men like Ted Budd knew the outcome and saw an opportunity for their political future so they refused to properly inform Americans of what happened. They chose themselves instead (just like Budd chose his family Business to receive $10 million in covid relief funds while voting against additional aid for Americans).

This craven and dangerous failure to spread truth instead of misinformation has resulted in a violation of our most sacred governmental institutions and the first domestic terror attack in centuries.

Friends,

I have been a Democrat for as long as I have been able to vote. I have done my best to support Democratic candidates throughout North Carolina and the nation. I was proud to run twice as a Democratic congressional candidate in North Carolina.

Georgia voted – Reverend Warnock will be Georgia’s next Senator and currently Jon Ossoff holds the lead, and his race should be called later today as the final votes are counted.

Today is a good day.

I must admit there is a certain amount of vindication - vindication that Donald Trump’s divisive tactics did not outweigh democracy, the rule of law, and common decency. But this is no time to gloat. In fact, perhaps this time to be somber.

On Friday, our family will hold funeral services for my father-in-law W.C. Flake, Jr., who died from Covid19. He was a father to me -a father in every sense of the word. And I loved him. His death did not have to happen. We get carried away sometimes and lose sight of what really matters. I hope and pray that we can put this election cycle behind us. I hope and pray that we can put the last four years behind us. And although it happened, and America has become more divisive now than ever, I believe we can heal.

During my congressional campaign and all throughout North Carolina I met people who were struggling who had unimaginable heartbreaking stories. My heart hurt for those children who were going hungry due to no fault of their own. I acted. I started my Instant Impact program and to date, that program has provided almost 100,000 meals.

We all have a commonality. We want to live in peace. We want to be able to raise our children so that they will have a better life than we had growing up. We want what is best for our friends and neighbors. When they are hurting, we hurt also. When there is tragedy in our local communities we come together because deep down, we know we are all in this together.

Friends never lose sight of what is important. We need to end the divisiveness in politics. We have too much at stake to give up on our common humanity. No, now is not the time to gloat over the Georgia election or even the presidency for that matter. Now it is time for us to take stock of the loved ones we have and to figure out a path to move forward through this economic crisis and this pandemic.

Lincoln’s quote of “a house divided cannot stand” might be cliché, but it’s absolutely true, now more than ever. Let’s be sure that we work to heal the division and focus on what we have in common and not our toxic differences. I have faith that we can and will do so.

The Cares Act was supposed to help everyday Americans through the lock-down. But when you look back on 2020, the Extreme Rich, Millionaires, and Billionaires received the bigger slice of the Cares Act pie. 

An estimated $257.95 billion went to millionaires and billionaires who did not need the money. $10 million, the max amount a small business can receive went to a local NC company, The Budd Group. If that name is not familiar, that is my former congressional opponent Rep. Ted Budd’s family business.  Soon afterwards, Ted Budd was looking to buy an airplane to fly between D.C. and his family's private airstrip. Coincidence? 

Also, since the pandemic –  Target & Lowe’s have doubled their profits.  Walmart & Amazon - Jeff Bezos is $117 billion richer. 

Regular folks, like you and I, received $293.37 billion of the Cares Act stimulus. That is our $1,200 check.  If that $257.95 billion could have combined with the $293.73 it would have boosted our stimulus checks to $2,400 or more. 

Corporations made out big time with more tax breaks. There is always a tax break in the fine print somewhere. The Cares Act increased the deductible level of corporate debt from 30% to 50%. 

Corporations can now receive refunds of 35% of their losses going back several years. What does this do? It reduces the tax revenue, allowing corporations to pay less in taxes while millions of Americans are paying more. 

Our tax dollars are not coming back to us, it is being redistributed to the rich and corporations. This is the wealth redistribution Republicans warned us about. 

This pandemic has grotesquely inflamed income inequality. Before the Covid19 pandemic hit our nation and forced 1000’s of businesses to shutter forever, it created 52 new billionaires for a total of 659. 

In contrast, it sent millions to the unemployment lines, food bank lines, and homeless shelters.  

Those billionaires have a combined wealth of 4 Trillion dollars and 10 of those hold more than 1 Trillion. 10 people. It is simply wrong. I keep saying we live in #Two Americas. The #extremerich and everybody else. This pandemic has accelerated the divide. We need to stop electing millionaires to represent the public in Washington D.C. Do you honestly think they listen to our concerns? Do you think, they understand our struggles from pay-check to pay-check?

They use the power of the people to deny us the help we need. The Republicans through Sen. Mitch McConnell could not even give us a $2,000 check.

The last time I checked almost 800,000 people filed for unemployment this last week.  In some states like NC that's $300 a week.  Who can live on little money?  As voters, we need to pay attention to income inequality and what our leaders are doing to us.  Cause it looks like they are doing everything for themselves and corporations.

Sources:
NBC Business News – Wall Street minted 56 new billionaires since the pandemic began… by Martha C. White
ProPublica – The CARES Act sent you a $1,200 Check but Gave Millionaires and Billionaires Far More. by Allan Sloan

Today is Wednesday and this morning I awoke from a dream that I was back home in Spencer, NC.  My late Grandmother, Clelia Eakins Myers, would wake me at 6am to get ready for school at North Rowan High. 

Wednesdays before Thanksgiving would be a half day.  Because in uptown Spencer the Thanksgiving parade would be marching down main street at noon.  Cars would park on the side of the road days in advance to secure their viewing spot; like people waiting in line for that next iPhone.

You would see so many people line the streets before the parade would start.  In those days, there was always a crisp chill in the air.  You could smell the aroma of popcorn popping and to break that chill, there was always some freshly brewed Hot-Chocolate - one of my favorites.

There were so many people standing, sitting in lawn chairs, back of their pickups on top of their cars waiting for all the bands, floats and mini-go karts in formation performing go-kart tricks as the parade passed by. Then the grand finale: Here comes Santa Claus finishing up the spectacular events.  It was a sight to see and those memories fill my heart to this day.  Then it was off back home to prepare for the next day.

Later that evening, several of my cousins, friends and family would assemble in the basement for what would always be pizza night, watching TV and sports.  Fun times.

I was always my Grandmothers helper in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day.  From placing the Turkey in the oven, helping with deviled eggs, turkey dressing and pumpkin pie.  It was a feast to behold and so much to do.  But everything was always perfect and ready on-time.

Prior to the consumption of all that food, family, cousins, and neighborhood friends would always meet up for a quick game or two of football.  We called it the Turkey Bowl.  Those were some fantastic games moving that pigskin up and down the front yard.

Then we would cram into my Grandmother’s home, set up tables, chairs and eat to our hearts’ content.  Of course, there would be a thanksgiving parade or football game in the background on our TV.  No, we didn’t have cable TV – we had rabbit ears and I was the one who knew just how to tweak them for the best reception.

Reality of today:  Many of my elders, my Grandmother and family have moved across that rainbow bridge.  Many have families of their own and are creating those memories for their children to remember one day.  I guess just like me.

But with reality of today, my heart hurts for so many families and friends who will have so many empty chairs and less plates to pile on that extra slice of turkey and gravy.  There will be happiness and sorrow for so many that honestly could have been avoided. 

We see the numbers spiking.  North Carolina is #11 on the COVID19 fatality list.  This ranking is because people are ideologically divided, refusing to wear a mask or accept the recommendations of medical experts.  Here are the numbers right now:  The USA has 12,969,067 cases – you might as well call it 13 million.  266,146 friends, family, loved ones are dead.  Our medical infrastructure is at a breaking point.  
Infections have reached 171,000 a day.  1,500 or more are dying each day. My god that’s a death every minute. People are not heeding the warnings and are traveling during this COVID19 Turkey Holiday. Have a Thanksgiving gathering and you'll have a Covid19 Christmas.  I mean how selfish we have become?  Or are we?

You may not like my response, but all the BLAME and the loss of life is on Trump and Republicans who went along with his foolishness, his lies and dishonesty. I’m not talking just at the Federal level, but state leaders here in North Carolina as well. 

Leadership failed us.  It failed our nation.  It failed to protect us, it failed to unite us, and it failed to prevent so much tragedy that we all know was completely preventable, and every denier who refused to wear a mask because of some idea that their freedoms were being infringed upon are responsible too.

This post was positive about the memories I had growing up.  But those who failed to do the right thing have created memories of sorrow, empty seats at the Thanksgiving table this year and for years to come.  Please people, wear a damn mask and do the right thing.  Christmas is a few weeks away and we all deserve to live safely with one another. It’s not much to ask. There’s a vaccine around the corner. So wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and don’t spend time indoors with people that you don’t know or trust. Do it for your loved ones. Do it for our nurses and first responders and do it for yourself.

Almost 3 in 5 children are going hungry in NC. Senate Republicans like Sen. Mitch McConnell have refused to act and pass the #HeroesAct. Even though I did not win my race, I'm still fighting for people in our state and district.

I started my Instant Impact Program and with my limited campaign resources I have help to feed people during #COVID19.  Will you support my Instant Impact Program and make a donation today?  So far with your support we have provided over 45,000 meals.

The 2nd Harvest Food Bank in Winston Salem is a wonderful organization. I just made a donation of $250. It will provide up to 1,750 meals and make an Instant Impact on so many #NC lives. Plz click the link right now and help me feed more.

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/crvfd/team/871566/

Friends--
If you only read one article today, let this one be it.  I hear stories like this all the time.  And, it saddens me to think that this is the country we live in: the wealthiest nation on Earth, yet we have so many shortcomings when it comes to basic humanity.

This is why I’m running for Congress.

A friend of mine—and I’m calling him Bob to protect his identity—told me his #kitchenTableStory about his granddaughter Susan.  Susan is four years old, cute as a button and the love of his life.  

She has autism and asthma.  Susan and her mom are both on Medicaid to cover the medical expenses from the autism and severe asthma.  Were it not for Medicaid, the family would not be able to get the medical attention Susan needs almost on a daily basis.  

Susan’s mom, Jennifer, works as a bartender and waitress, but only part-time because they do not qualify and can’t afford the special needs childcare that Susan would have to have.  
Money is tight.  Very tight.  So, the mom and daughter live with my friend Bob.  It keeps a roof over their heads and food on the kitchen table.  

However, a few months ago, the family found out that Susan qualifies for Social Security Supplemental Income.   After going through the mounds of paperwork and delays, Jennifer got the first check.  
They opened a bank account to help pay for Susan’s future medical and educational needs.  And, then it happened.

Jennifer was responsible.  She didn’t blow the SSI.  She saved knowing that Susan would need it a little at a time.  Jennifer received a letter from Medicaid notifying her that her daughter no longer qualifies for Medicaid and that it would be canceled within a week.  

All of this because of an SSI payment.  

Friends—this is one of many stories told around kitchen tables across my district and beyond.  We need to fix this.  Can you imagine the stress Jennifer feels?  How would you feel if this were your daughter?  Your son?  Your grandchild?  

My campaign is not about ‘pie-in-the-sky’ dreams.  It’s about real people who deserve better from their government.   It’s about real issues that face each and every one of us.  It’s about how we must live paycheck to paycheck—hoping and praying nothing breaks or needs to be replaced because we don’t have the money to fix a leak.  

It's about a Medicare/Medicaid system so eat up with bureaucratic ineptitude that we take money from a four-year-old and deny her and her family the healthcare they need.

This is why we fight.  Because there are more Susan’s, Jennifer’s, and Bob’s than we care to admit.  

And, this is why we must win.   

Please support my campaign with a donation to help us win. <<<Click Here>>

#KitchenTableStory

My wife & I just renewed our 2020 health insurance. It’s now over $1000 a month for our family of five. Over 12k a year or a monthly mortgage payment. A 10% increase compared to this years 80/20 plan. This is not sustainable.

It doesn't include the deductible you have to meet. It doesn't include the 20% we'll have to pay for any medical costs. Again, this is not sustainable for Americans.

District 13, I want to know your healthcare story. Please visit our website and tell us your story.  Whether it's Health Care, Student Loan Debt or any thing that we need to know about.

It is important to know your #KitchenTableStory. Together, we can work to fix out of control healthcare and prescription drug costs.

But it's going to take all of us.

Thank you - Scott Huffman

Tell us your story here.