Last week, when I appeared on the Marc Steiner show after the first Ehrlich – O’Malley debate, I commented on the use of the term “New Americans” by O’Malley. I know that illegal immigration in Baltimore has helped to increase unemployment rates among African-Americans. In 2007, according to the American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau, black unemployment in Baltimore (ages 16-64) was 6.2% which was 2.4 % higher than the 3.8% average of the overall population.
In three years of the O’Malley Administration, with his sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants and his “New Americans” worldview, black unemployment rates according to ACS data has raised to 16.6% compared to 8.2 of the overall population.
A more startling statistics is the unemployment numbers for young African-Americans in Baltimore. People who are 16 to 19 years of age, who are beginning in the job market, can not find a job. The latest ACS data paints a bleak picture for any young black person in Baltimore seeking employment with O’Malley staying another four years in the Governor’s mansion. Today, in Baltimore, 52% of 16-19 year old African American males can not find a job. For 16-19 year old females, the unemployment rate is a staggering 38.5% with the overall number being 44.6%. Clearly, if you are young and black in Baltimore City, Martin O’Malley is not on your side.
My hope is that someone with the Ehrlich campaign and/or the media will begin talking about these facts. We should not shy away from the truth because staying quiet is the safe thing to do. People want leadership, not politicians or personalities, who would rather look good than shake up the status quo. This is an issue that will make voters look critically at their Democratic office holders.
13 days left and the clock is ticking…
Faculty, Department of Political Science, Towson University. Graduate from Liberty University Seminary.