Ricketts Has Been Supporting An Open Racist
Representative Steve King is one of the most toxic members of Congress since he is an out and out racist. King has a long history of posting tweets that are racist, anti-Semitic and white nationalist. The Iowa Congressman has demonized African-Americans, immigrants and Hispanics. For example, King has insulted the Dreamers by alleging that some have so-called “cantaloupe calves” because they have been smuggling drugs across the border.
King has even displayed a Confederate flag on his desk. The Confederate States of America were led by traitors who hated the U.S. and were founded on the principles of white supremacy and slavery. As Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens said in his so-called Cornerstone speech: “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.”
King’s racism was brought into sharp relief when he recently said the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” should not be considered offensive. Those remarks generated a firestorm of criticism of King. His remarks were so offensive that the feckless GOP Congressional leadership has actually threatened to take action against King such as stripping him of his committee assignments.
Closer to home, Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts has been a long time supporter of King. Ricketts has made at least six campaign contributions to King. The most recent contribution was in 2016 — long after King had revealed his racism. Ricketts’ spokesman lamely defended the contributions by stating: “ He disagrees with some things King has said but that he believes northwestern Iowans deserve a conservative voice in Congress who will continue fighting for tax relief, a vibrant economy, and strong family values.”
I don’t believe that Governor Ricketts is a racist. Nonetheless, the problem here is that Ricketts has enabled King’s racism with these contributions. It’s not enough to denounce King’s awful statements — Ricketts needs to demand the return of his past contributions and cease making contributions to King. Republican Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) said it best: “When people with opinions similar to King’s open their mouths, they damage not only the Republican Party and the conservative brand but also our nation as a whole. Some in our party wonder why Republicans are constantly accused of racism — it is because of our silence when things like this are said.”