Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., explained during an appearance on MSNBC on Thursday that it is the Republican Party and its support for things being conducted at the local level, and not the Democratic Party, that has helped people like him rise from poverty and become successful.
His remarks came after MSNBC host Thomas Roberts asked: “You say you’re concerned about kids that are growing up in the wrong zip code and, like yourself, had a tough start on the way out. But if we look at agencies that are following some of your voting records, they have concern. And the NAACP has given you an ‘F’ on their annual scorecard.”
Scott responded to his grading with a laugh.
“Let’s just ask ourselves, if we look back over the history when Congress was controlled by the Democrats for 40 consecutive years, if we look at the result of that control, what has happened in black America? We saw greater poverty,” the South Carolina senator said.
“[I]f I have an ‘F’ on the NAACP’s scorecard, it’s because I believe that progress has to be made and the government is not the answer for progress. I was a kid growing up in poverty. I had a mentor who was a Chick-fil-A operator … who taught me that the brilliance of the American economy happens through business ownership and entrepreneurial spirit,” he added.
Scott explained that as government gets larger, poverty remains, meaning that the a bloated bureaucracy is clearly not the answer. The answer to address poverty, Scott said, is found in “ a good education” and “a strong work ethic.”
