Dr. Benjamin Carson has absolutely caught the nation by storm with his address Thursday, Feb. 7, at the National Prayer Breakfast. You can view the entire 27 minute video to the left of this article. The Washington Times had an article on Feb. 8, entitled, “Conservative Dr. Ben Carson speech upstages Obama at prayer breakfast.” This is basically the way the appearance is being billed across the media.
Dr. Carson, an African-American raised in poverty by a single mother, spoke on various issues facing America with a light touch of humor. Drawing from his life, he stressed the importance of education and reading, stressed by his illiterate mother who was married at 13 years old. She forced him to read two books a week from the library and to submit a book report to her that she was not even able to read. He smiled when he explained that he and his brother did not know that!
He discussed his disdain for “political correctness,” stressing the need to be respectful with those with whom we disagree, but not be afraid to express opinions.
President Obama was sitting a mere two seats from the podium, as you will see in the video. However, that didn’t stop Dr. Benjamin Carson from slightly tip-toeing into sensitive material, such as fiscal reform and the health care issue.
He described a flat tax plan where everyone pays the same rate, citing the tithe in the Bible as an example. The Foundry has his exact remarks about making taxation hurt the rich.
What we need to do is come up with something that’s simple. The inherently fair principle is proportionality: you make 10 billion dollars, you put in a billion. You make 10 dollars, you put in one. Of course, you have to get rid of the loopholes.
Some people say, ‘That’s not fair! It’s doesn’t hurt the guy who made 10 billion dollars.’ Where does it say you have to hurt that guy? He just put a billion dollars into the pot!
At this point, President Obama looked a little uncomfortable since most of his tax plan involves increasing the burden of the rich. The doctor’s thoughts about health care also picked a little at the President as he described medical savings accounts assigned at birth to be managed by the patient. Contributions would be made by the government for those who are indigent. These accounts would alleviate the need for "death panels," which was a little poke at "Obamacare."
Dr. Benjamin Carson’s speech for the 61st Annual National Prayer Breakfast lasted around 25 minutes. Although interspersed with humor and quotations from Scripture, Dr. Carson still managed to do what is being billed as, “speaking truth to power.”
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