Racist — One who holds the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
For the past week or so, I’ve been trying to ignore the fact that John Kerry is an elitist race panderer who’s going to get a lot of black votes. I’m disgusted by his racial and racist rhetoric, and the black people who vote for him deserve whatever slop he dishes out.
From his political Scripture reading in black churches to his speeches touting government programs, this rich man’s contempt for true black progress makes me ill.
In my view, white liberals betray their true feelings about the black race as soon as they open their mouths. My blood boils whenever I hear one of their ilk mentioning blacks and government programs in the same conversation. Blacks and dependency go hand in hand, you see, especially to men like Kerry. (Warning: long rant below)
I found an article the other day that prompted me to finally blog about this. Peter Kirsanow, of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and writing for National Review Online:
Racially charged rhetoric is, of course, not uncommon in political campaigns. During presidential-election cycles outlandish claims and rumors pervade both black media and casual discourse: A vote for a Republican means another black church will be burned; the Voting Rights Act is going to expire, depriving blacks of the right to vote; voting for Republicans is a vote for lynchings. These claims and rumors are usually floated by talk radio commentators, community activists, low-level campaign staffers, and the like. And while they may be effective in turning out voters, they necessarily inflame racial tensions and suspicions.What’s different about this presidential-election cycle is that a presidential candidate is trafficking in this poison. Racial demagoguery is odious whatever the source, but when someone of Kerry’s stature engages in it, the impact is magnified several fold.
Most candidates tailor their messages to appeal to the concerns of the particular audience. Speaking to members of a union local, a politician will likely address the new overtime rules; speaking to doctors, he’ll probably cover malpractice insurance. Some call this pandering, others call it smart politics.
Much of Senator Kerry’s message to black audiences, however, is drawn from negative and sometimes ugly stereotypes about putatively “black” concerns. For example, while speaking before the Urban League in July, Kerry stressed the need for more Section 8 funding rather than stressing home-ownership, and stressed government programs more than entrepreneurship (because, you know, most blacks are either on welfare or otherwise dependent on the government). He’s done so without challenge. Imagine the justifiable outrage if Kerry had employed offensive stereotypes when courting voters from other ethnic groups. Even when not engaging stereotypes Kerry tends to appeal to the lowest common denominator — a bland Huey Long.
Senator Kerry’s attempts over the last several months to “energize” black voters by invoking the specter of Jim Crow and falsely claiming massive voter disenfranchisement apparently aren’t impressing black Democrat leaders. That could well mean he might make even more incendiary comments in the upcoming weeks. If he does, he must be called on it. Senator Kerry’s divisive statements are more likely to create the two Americas of which he and his running mate complain rather than promote a more unified America.
White liberals love to invoke old Jim Crow (see laws), and nothing fires up black liberals more, whether they actually lived through it or not, than insinuating that white conservatives want to return to legal segregation.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a dead organization that should be buried already, released this laughable, amateurish report, “The Long Shadow of Jim Crow: Voter Intimidation and Suppression in America Today” (PDF). It’s one of the dumbest things you’ll ever read. Also see my post.
The Republican message is about “empowerment” — one of black liberals’ favorite words — economic development and freedom from government. Where some see such talk as abandonment, I see it as the way to survive and thrive, not just exist. Government dependency is undignified; it is immoral to live off the labor of others (through involuntary support).
Yet, George Bush is perceived as a racist who “doesn’t care about the black community” because he doesn’t talk down to them about Section 8 housing (”The Projects”) and handouts based on skin color. Our culture’s thinking has been backward for so long that some people think it’s a good thing when a politician promises them more of other people’s money.
But can I really blame John Kerry and his cronies? After all, his audiences apparently eat it up like manna, so he’s only preaching what he knows they want to hear. Stupefying.
If I ever happen to meet Kerry on the street and he started speechifying about government programs, but for the daily struggle of living a Christian life, I’d curse him to his face.
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LaShawn, do you ever sleep???
I agree Kerry has that Thurston Howell III air about him, and I agree that his pandering is veiled rascism, but do you have anything that is personally his that you can quote, showing he is a rascist? My guess is he doesn’t even know it himself. Often, that snobby paternalistic air is so deep he just thinks he’s being benevolent.
Ever since I was a small child, my father has said that the Democrats destroyed the black family by taking away their pride in themselves, and constantly telling them they needed help. My father, unfortuately for him, doesn’t hold his tongue around Democrats and has a way of exposing their hidden rascism, and I think what bothers him most is that they do it without thinking. The rascism is so imbedded. It’s maddening for me, a white woman; I can only imagine how maddening it would be for an African-American.
La Shawn, there is nothing for me to say other than bravo. White rich liberals who “feel our pain” are nothing more than race baiters. And that includes our first black president, Bill Clinton.
Overall, good comments.
Yet, George Bush is perceived as a racist who “doesn’t care about the black community” because he doesn’t talk down to them about Section 8 housing (”The Projects”) and handouts based on skin color.
That’s a misstatement of why some Blacks don’t like Bush.
On the other hand, Bush hasn’t let his support of HBCUs be known. Nor has he let it be known about the increase in SBA loans to Blacks. Nor has he let it be known about the housing initiatives.
Would it make a difference? To some, maybe, to others, not.
Congrats to you La Shawn…I have been looking through blog sites..and I was surprised by yours. I am just a white middle aged mother & housewife in Texas, but I would like to express my opinion. I use to be a Democrat, but a few years ago I switched. Everything that you say is true. I wish that more black people would see that all the Democratic leaders care about the black population is their vote. When I see what are so called black leaders criticizing people like Colion Powell, Condi Rice, the HUD
Secretary (sorry forgot his name) and The Education Secretary I just don’t understand. These bright people are so exceptional and are put down for it. Everytime the Dem get in a bind they play the race card and all it does is get these jerks elected and drives a wedge deeper between the races. When I see people like the Powell, Rice, and J.C.
Watts I think it is so wrong what is going on. These people worked hard to get where they are & don’t even get recognized by their own race for it. It is people like you , the younger generation, who can change things and make a difference. Education is the key…KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
La Shawn,
Of course you know that I agree with you on this. Particularly when it comes to individual empowerment vs. subsistence on the dole.
It amazes me how White liberals are able to get away with what is essentially a racist outlook on the world and never get called on it. Of course, you can hardly blame Kerry for pandering to what the NAACP leadership is undoubtedly telling him that black voters want to hear.
Jeannie,
Your comparison of Kerry to Thurston Howell III had me almost falling out of my chair. How perfect! I had never thought of it before, but you hit it just right.
DS – So tell me how I misstate the reason. If anything, I left a lot of things out.
And what if Bush doesn’t support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)? So what? That makes him a racist? You really think John Kerry gives a ______ about HBCUs? I attended one but other people’s support or opposition to them mean little to me.
Very good comments. I believe that the Democrats have for to long taken the black vote as a God given right. Kerry being the white elitist that he is, falls into this mindset. I believe that the only reason why Kerry would ever go into a black church is because of the advances Blacks have made in the Republican party. Living in Maryland, we have the first black Lt. Gov. in the state’s history in Micheal Steele, a Republican.
Dark Star,
I agree with La Shawn regarding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In Oklahoma our largest HBCU (which I attended) is now treated more or less as any other state run university. Do they need to receive special treatment or support? Is it important that they remain “Black” colleges or universities? (I guess that would have disqualified me from attending.) If so, isn’t that preerving the “seperate but equal” doctrine that they grew out of? Let their history as HBCU’s be just that, a rich tradition and history, and treat them now as any other institution of higher learning.
I have to agree with you though on the fact that the Bush administration has not touted the increase in SBA loans or the housing initiatives extended to Blacks. He has talked up housing initiatives in general and SBA loans in general, he just didn’t make a point about the racial breakdown of the statistics. Of course, I find that to be just great, because it indicates a more “color blind” attitude than most liberals can identify with.
Bravo, La Shawn! It’s so refreshing to read the words of an African-American who grants blacks the honor of thinking of them as productive members of society. You sooo restore my faith.
Bravo La Shawn!
I see our fedup meters are all running on the same level:-) I blogged about this also when reading of how Alphonso Jackson, HUD Secretary, was BOOED by at the National Baptist Convention by so called CHristians, while they cheered and applauded an Anti-Family, Anti-Life, Racist presidential candidate.
Just another one of those things that defies common sense
I find your writing creative, positive,and realistic. However, what it is mostly is courageous. I’m sure you are castigated and insulted by the Democratic Destruction Machine since you dare to challenge the Liberally inspired stereotype of ‘black folk’ who need handouts just to survive. This infuriates me daily! For the ‘Black Community’ to routinely give Democrats 90% of their vote goes beyond stupidity into criminal. How many senior cabinet members and top advisors have been seen in any Democratic President’s administration? (Other than the obligatory HUD or the ‘like’.) This is the real insult!
Keep up the good work! I truly admire you.
Warmest Regards,
D.M. (Mike) Donahue
Atlanta
Great comment on White racism – from Dems.
Unfortunately, each year Black people buy into this pandering they become even MORE DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT.
Unfortunately, poverty is a business – and it feeds off of reverse snobbery – a fear of trying to be successful because one might just fail. How much easier just to ride the waves of Government.
And, unfortunately, Kerry et al are only doing what has worked for them in the past – with a 93% success.
PS
Most Black Americans disagree with Pres. Bush’s choices on the war in Iraq, high unemployment, outsourcing of American jobs, inadequate healthcare, etc. The Bush message about empowerment falls on deaf ears in the Black community because Pres. Bush’s supporters in the 2000 election disenfranchised Black voters. The racist felon voter purge happened, along with a host of other voter irregularities later documented by the US Commission on Civil Rights.
Pres. Bush can’t simultaneously say, “we want you to be empowered economically”, and “stay out of the voting booth on election day, Negroes!” Economic empowerment without voting rights is like a blindfolded man walking in the middle of a busy highway in oncoming traffic. Sure, for a while, people might watch out for you, and you won’t be hit, but it only takes one Suburban to end everything.
Sen. Kerry, discussing imagery of the “Two Americas” that Pres. Bush’s domestic policies have exacerbated, attempted to place the state-sponsored inequality he sees today in terms all Americans can readily identify with. Evoking Jim Crow is only “over-the-top” rhetoric to those who are uncomfortable recalling the racist part of the United States of America. White people, generally speaking, are in my opinion uncomfortable with that recollection, as are political conservatives. Doesn’t make the overall message any less true.
To dismiss this as racial pandering misses the point – Pres. Bush’s domestic economic policies have hurt this nation.
Also, both sides in this election discuss their policies in divisive, identity-politics rhetoric. Pres. Bush, during the most recent State of the Union speech, spent a huge amount of time grasping for true American unity to fight the war on terror, just to assert later that homosexuals asserting their love for each other in government recognized monogamous relationships was so morally inept that Americans had to change the Constitution to prevent Adam and Steve from obtaining a marriage license. It was saying, “We are all one America, strong and secure, except gay people. They’re not one of us.”
George Bush is not, in my view, a racist or a homophobe. However, his entire claim to the office of the Presidency rests upon general nonchalance on the factual, documented, planned usurpation and disenfranchisement of the African American vote during the 2000 Presidential election. Black people should distrust him. The real sadness is that the Democrats also sold Black people out by refusing to fight for the black vote when it was in Gore’s self-interest to do so.
Pres. Bush can’t simultaneously say, “we want you to be empowered economically”, and “stay out of the voting booth on election day, Negroes!”
Come on, James.
When it comes to the Monnbat Media;
Bush had no comment on the forged documents; hence he is either nefarious or stupid for not recognizing them as fakes, further lending credence to the “fact” that there must be some truth to the spirit of it
likewise,
>Bush doesn’t wear his support for other pet projects like the increasing SBA loans to Blacks and housing initiatives; hence he doesn’t really believe in them and is just racist pandering, the truth of this is evident in not supporting Section 8 and other handout programs.
Well! Tell me this, WHY in the world does Bush have to tout it thru the media? Spouting the message via the media is just talk. When the results speak plainly for themselves, it isn’t necessary for Bush to talk about it — especially when it is bound to get skewed by the “perhaps-true-BUT-not-enough” elites.
Meanwhile, at the grassroots level, it is Bush’s walk that counts to the newly empowered and their friends who know it.
The way I figure it, Bush will use the debates, should the topic arise to tout these very things where the elites can’t spin it before feeding their drivel to the masses.
Once again, this goes back to Bush’s training as a Harvard Business School MBA, where ROI and max effect for the buck is stressed as opposed to the lawyers who use repeated hyperbole to get their message out. As feckless as Kerry is, count on him present his head on a platter by raising the topic.
grrrr I forgot to close the “bold” in the first fragment
James, you suprise me today! Or am I wrong in my recollection of your past comments following a more conservative tack.
See my comments to Drew on one of La Shawn’s posts yesterday regarding that Civil Rights Commission report you reference. That report has been totally debunked. There was no widespread effort to keep Blacks from the polls in Florida. There were some problems, but most documented errors were less than the margin of victory. It also might suprise you to know that most of the errors occurred in counties with Democrat controlled election boards, not in those controlled by Republicans.
Bush doesn’t pander to the Black vote by promising Government handouts, he simply puts Black Americans in some of the most powerful positions in his administration.
How have his economic policies hurt this Nation in general and Blacks in particular? He seems bent on tax reduction across the board, how can that be bad for anyone? Now if you are going to say that the biggest earners got the biggest tax breaks, I would say, that only makes sense. If you cut everybody’s taxes a certain percentage, then the people with the biggest income get the most back, because they had the most taken away to begin with. How does that hurt the average family of any color in this country? It is totally color blind. If you made more you got more back.
People in this country have got to get over the idea that the Government should be in the “Robin Hood” business. Helping those in need is one thing, but making people dependent on the Government for everthing in life is only a way to keep them under control.
I think Bush is simply in line with the majority in this country in his desire to preserve “marriage” as something between a man and a woman. The intent is not to deprive homosexuals of their right to be together, it it to preserve the concept of “family”, one of the most important institutions in this country.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities… hmm…
La Shawn, Leave James alone. He’s enjoying his kool-aid, and who are we to interfere?
Yes. These are our betters, the elites who know what’s best for us little people. It’s Bubba’s “What if you spend your money wrong,” Hillary’s “We’re going to take things away for you on behalf of the common good,” and now Dan Rather’s “core truth” wrapped in a forgery. We should just shut up and poke the chad for Massachusetts’ native son.
A rich man’s contempt for true black progress
Thank God Al Gore didn’t become our second “black” president!
“La Shawn, Leave James alone. He’s enjoying his kool-aid, and who are we to interfere?” – RepJ
OK. Ma’am, that was way out of line.
My earlier post was simply trying to discuss reasons many African Americans don’t trust Pres. Bush’s policies enough to vote for him.
Part of the possible trust Bush should have received from Black citizens given the office he now holds was lost because of the debacle in Florida in 2000, where on a state level, Republican operatives forced the removal of Black registered voters from the voter rolls without their consent. This is all factual, documented history.
No one is drinking any Kool-Aid here, ma’am. That rhetoric was not necessary, nor was it funny.
In fact, it points to a basic reason why Black people don’t vote Republican. When Bush supporters get so comfortable that they believe they can make racial jokes to Black people about government handouts to Blacks, they should not be surprised when some Blacks consider the entire party a racist, backward collection of domestic bigotry.
The GOP isn’t really like that RepJ. Stop giving conservatives a bad name.
Yes. These are our betters, the elites who know what’s best for us little people. It’s Bubba’s “What if you spend your money wrong,” Hillary’s “We’re going to take things away for you on behalf of the common good,” and now Dan Rather’s “core truth” wrapped in a forgery. We should just shut up and poke the chad for Massachusetts’ native son.
A rich man’s contempt for true black progress
DS – So tell me how I misstate the reason. If anything, I left a lot of things out.
Those who may consider him racist, can do so because of Bob Jones University, opposition to affirmative action, refusal to take a stand on the confederate flag issue when it flared up, ignoring the CBC as a group, ignoring the NAACP, etc.
I’m not saying I agree with that point of view, because I have issues with that point of view, but that is a more legitimate list of “reasons” than your comment about Section 8 housing. From what I’ve read and heard, Section 8 has not been mentioned.
Now, on HBCU’s, you misread what I wrote.
I wrote Bush hasn’t let his SUPPORT of HBCUs be known. Of course, that goes back to whether or not this is considered racial pandering.
You really think John Kerry gives a ______ about HBCUs?
No I don’t. But do you understand what I wrote now?
I attended one but other people’s support or opposition to them mean little to me.
It means a lot to me. I’m bothered by the opposition to the continued existence of HBCUs by some.
Do [ HBCUs] need to receive special treatment or support?
In Maryland, Coppin State University and Morgan State University are a part of the University of Maryland college system. They have historically been under funded. With the strengthing of University of Maryland College Park, the flagship of the system, Coppin and Morgan have been more outspoken about funding.
Morgan and Coppin received more government funding through Clinton’s support of HBCUs. Morgan has done a better job of fund raising. Now the Gov. Ehrlich, a Republican, is in office, Morgan and Coppin have received increased funding. Ehrlich increased the funding because he recognized that both schools have been dealt with unfairly.
In Florida, Florida A&M is under the Florida university system. FAMU had PhD programs taken from the school. They had money taken from the school. They had programs taken from the school. Then, the governing board punished the school by denying funding because they didn’t have the programs that were taken away by the governing board.
The Florida system is now a tiered system. FAMU is in the 3rd tier of the 3 tiered system. It was placed in that tier by a non-subjective ranking system. The system included the number of PhD programs, the number of programs, etc. that the school has.
That’s an honest ranking, right?
Wait! Didn’t I write that FAMU had PhD programs taken away and that’s one of the ranking criteria?
Is it important that they remain “Black” colleges or universities? (I guess that would have disqualified me from attending.)
That’s a red-herring born out of your ignorance of HBCUs. That’s not a slam. HBCUs have never excluded white people from attending. In fact, many have affirmative action programs for white students.
I dig.
James reminds me of many Black people I have encountered who wouldn’t think of voting for anything but a liberal Democrat. Mind you, most are good and decent people, but still see the majority White society as a pampered patrician class just itching to crank up Bull Connor’s fire hoses once again, were it not for the intervening influence of the sainted Democrats.
I don’t think that the various groups and factions of this nation will ever see eye to eye.
In addition, it seems to me that we are falling into an old liberal trap. I am reading “such and such a group wants to fund historically Black colleges” or “The Republicans have increased funding for thus and so”.
Since when has the dispersement of public largesse been a true measure of sympathy, at least for conservatives?
Since when has the dispersement of public largesse been a true measure of sympathy, at least for conservatives?
Uhhh…
What I wrote about is simple FAIRNESS.
James,
Please cite the proof the the reps set out in an organized fashion to keep black folks from voting.
I am sure a bright young man like yourself (with a BA in Government, no-less) can link us to “factual, documented history”.
Oh, and what racist joke are you referring to? Just curious what in particular has your shorts bunched up.
As Kerry’s ratings fall, the shrill volume of ribald attacks against Bush intensify…
As Islamofacist support declines, the ferocity of cowardly attacks against Iraqis escalate…
Different message, same psychosis. The only solution is for soldiers/bloggers to tighten the screws on either until they’re rendered moot.
If terrorist weren’t “A-Lad-insane”, they’d walk away from their dead-end quest.
If sKerry was chemically balanced, he’d give up on the divisive and baseless rhetoric.
Thanks, La Shawn – for your reassurance that I am not going completely out of my mind!! Do most blacks really think that government programs and preferences improve their lot? If not, why do they keep voting for Democrats as if they feel somehow in their debt?!? I don’t get it – -
Do most blacks really think that government programs and preferences improve their lot?
So, then I take it that you would never consider an FHA loan.
I take it that you would never consider a government subsidized student loan.
I take it if your home is damaged by a storm, and federal aid is offered, you would never consider taking it.
I take it if your home is on the waterfront, that you would never take one of the federal backed flood insurance coverages.
I take it if you own a business, you would never consider a SBA program to help your business out.
We’ve touched on this before, DarkStar. Being given a loan or a contract or special treatment because of skin color is in no way comparable to accepting federal help if your home is blown into the Mississippi River.
And you pose those questions as if they’re rhetorical or the answer is an auotmatic “Yes.” Why does is surprise you that some people won’t take government money under any circumstances?
Being given a loan or a contract or special treatment because of skin color
My comment wasn’t about race, it was more a comment about people mentioning “dependence on government”, while failing to mention the mirad of things that the government is involved in, that they would have no problem in standing in line to receive.
Why does is surprise you that some people won’t take government money under any circumstances?
It doesn’t, but those are few. Many of the same people who whine and complain about “dependence on government” actually do so themselves. Yet they want to slam the Black community?
Sorry, DarkStar. Any community, black, white or whatever, accepting government funds and special treatment (which usually employs lowered standards) because of skin color is “slam-able.”
Then LB, slam the U.S. culture as a whole. That’s my point.
I like to use the FHA loan as an example because it’s race neutral and U.S. culture specific.
DS,
You’re missing the point that it is programs that encourage perpetual dependance that are wrong. No one has issues with disaster relief, FHA, SBA, or student scholarships. These type of programs are designed to either get people back on their feet after a disaster or help them get a leg up, then they’re on their own
Small business set-asides targeting blacks or the disadvantaged are also good, because they are designed to give the disadvantaged a chance at competing for Federal dollars. However, there are reasonable caps that cut off that handicap, once they attain a competitive footing.
For example, once a small black-owned business attains a certain size and revenue stream, they no longer get a preference over a small white-owned business. Once, you’re designated as a large business, it doesn’t matter if you’re Black or White or whatever, you’re evaluated equally in terms of awarding contracts.
I most totally agree with Dark Star. How come everybody keeps beating up on black folk about “government dependence”, when in fact, many white people are making a quite comfortable living on the government dime?
Take for example the white Irish, who have had a long history of dependency on public social services, stretching from Ireland centuries ago, down to 20th century America. And the Irish have long made a good living off government jobs. Other white ethnic groups to a lesser extent have fed hungrily at the public trough, from Italians in municipal construction and sanitation, to Jewish schoolteachers.
Then there is the case of white women, who are feeding quite well in public occupations such as education, as well as a host of other government related jobs, and special preferences for women.
As far as government programs “ministering” to blacks, whites are doing quite well- deploying a veritable army of social workers, administrators, coordinators and miscellaneous processors of paper- all eating and drinking quite heavily on the public dime as they provide “services” to their black clientele. As conservative Thomas Sowell pointed out years ago, the poor are a goldmine for certain people. In fact, I would argue that black government dependency is driven in part by the desire of whites to secure power, jobs and sinecures for themselves.
And while blacks are the most visible of such clients, whites make up substantial numbers, and whites have not exactly distinguished themselves when it comes to moral restraint and responsibility, as witnessed by a 50% divorce rate, a 25% out of wedlock rate, a billion dollar pornography industry and an overwhelmingly lily-white constituency for homosexual marriages- the latter an area of “leadership” that will fundamentally alter the moral family structure of human civilization – and it is being powerfully assisted by the judical legistation of white judges, also on the public payroll.
Give me a poor brother on the street any day than an affluent white judge, politician or homosexual “couple” destroying the institution of marriage.
None of the above excuses the disproportionate cycle of welfare and social service dependency among blacks. Let’s be clear about that, but things need to be put in perspective here before casting yet more bricks at the Negro.
No one has issues with disaster relief, FHA, SBA, or student scholarships. These type of programs are designed to either get people back on their feet after a disaster or help them get a leg up, then they’re on their own
Excluding disaster relief, there are plenty of issues with the rest of the programs.
FHA loans have greatly contributed to the cost of housing. People who should save more before buying a home, or people who should be buying less expensive homes, are able to buy homes they otherwise would not be able to afford. If I remember the CATO study correctly, loan defaults for FHA loans are greater than conventional loan.s
People complain about the skyrocketing costs of higher education, but subsidized student loans have contributed to the costs. Again, there are studys showing how the government backed student loans have helped allow schools to raise prices without concern of cost to their customers.
The University of Phonex was just heavily fined by the government for abuse of the student loan program. Then, there are the many technical schools that take student money via student loans, and instead of teaching them how to program computers, for example, they teach them data entry.
And there are a lot more.
Government dependence is government dependence. Don’t pick and choose.
“Government dependence is government dependence”
I’m glad that you made it clear with the latest post and I’m with you on that. For a while there I thot you were taking issue only with fairness vs race-based handouts. In that sense, I have no issue with the “fairness” of certain handouts, while I’ll readily slam the other as mentioned previously.
In a “perfect” world, there would be no handouts of any sort, because no matter how charitable they may be in intent, unintended consequences pop up requiring additional legislation and on and on it goes. In and of itself, the law has become big business.
Our government should constrain itself to the business of governance as outlined in the Constitution and get out of the parenting business. Yet, much of what Washington does these days is unconstitutional. This abuse of authority goes on because we as a nation have forgotten basic truths and allowed politicians to bribe us with powers that they were never given in the 1st place.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” George Washington
I was going to respond to Dark Star’s “It’s about FAIRNESS” but, as usual, Andy does it so much better. The question isn’t *who* or *what* gets federal largess, but the scope and structure itself of the government in Washington (see also the discussion about FDR).
My comment wasn’t about race, it was more a comment about people mentioning “dependence on government”, while failing to mention the mirad of things that the government is involved in, that they would have no problem in standing in line to receive.
It doesn’t, but those are few. Many of the same people who whine and complain about “dependence on government” actually do so themselves. Yet they want to slam the Black community?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So true Dark Star. Some people are willing to slam the black community while feeding from the government trough profitably. Many point the finger at a black welfare mother, but maintain a mysterious silence when it comes to corporate welfare, such as trade quotas or subsidises to rich corporate farmers (mostly white). Many shake their heads at those Negroes in poverty, but fail to point out the comfortable sinecures and jobs obtained by the white dominated bureaucracies that have arisen (and constantly expanded) to “solve” the problem.
And I disagree with Andy on the government constraining itself. It never has. In fact the government (at various levels) has itself been rather unrestrained throughout US history when it comes to subsidizing favored groups. It was government after all that subsidized big cotton, sugar and tobacco barons in the old South by legalizing and enforcing a system of cheap labor, via black slavery.
It was government after all that indirectly subsidized white employment by creating and enforcing a system of Jim Crow that effectively locked Black, Hispanic and Asian competition out of numerous fields for more than half a century- the original affirmative action in Ameircan history.
It was government after all that recklessly dispossessed tribes of Native Americans despite “treaties” to the contrary, and handed millions of acres of that confiscated land over to the railroads, sometimes dispossessing smaller white farmers as well.
So again, before folks slam the Negro for government dependence they would do well to examine the whole record. Let he who has not benefitted from government subsidies cast the first stone..
\:)/ Are we discussing the state of current hand-outs or the past? Who’s slamming the Negro for government dependance? I believe that we’re slamming the programs and polis that pander to the black vote by promising more. What I’d like to see is less of it. If Kerry was advocating subsidizing the sugar group, I’d slam that as well.
“Let he who has not benefitted from government subsidies cast the first stone..”
I benefitted from subsidies in the past, so what. That doesn’t mean I can’t look back and say; ‘know what? We’d be better off w/o these gimme programs’.
That doesn’t mean I can’t look back and say; ‘know what? We’d be better off w/o these gimme programs’
Chances are you will make yourself available to using some government program in the future.
“Chances are you will make yourself available to using some government program in the future.”
I think that was pretty uncalled-for. The princliple of limited government has yet to be seriously discredited, and we accuse those who defend it with hypocrisy. And as for the government *never* constraining itself? While it is true that the government in Washington permitted and abetted things that I will not attempt to justify here, the fact remains that until relatively recently it fulfilled all of its powers and obligations with a minimum of bother to Joe Citizen. And this without significant deficits or debts (remember, this took place for the most part in the days of the gold standard, when merely ‘printing more money’ was not an option).
So, what am I trying to say here? The biggest problems in our society are 1) moral decay and spiritual confusion 2) A system of governance which is reduced to political leaders promising various groups a bigger piece of the pie, paid for by their neighbors.
In my human wisdom, I see neither problem abating soon. Pray ceaselessly for our nation.
I think that was pretty uncalled-for
I’m sorry, it wasn’t intended to be an insult. It’s just that when the rubber meets the road, most will choose the gubmint.
DS. No offense taken, as long as the opportunity exists, the temptation is there, by rationalizing that I might as well get some of my tax dollars back one way or another. This fact of life doesn’t change the underlying premise that we need to eliminate handouts.
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Hey bro
I couldn’t agree more! BUSH 2004
That racist doesn’t deserve 90% of OUR vote!
Hi La Shaun. I just found your site and have enjoyed it. Quick history: Vietnam Combat Vet, just a product of Irish(ran out of the country as evil Catholics)Ireland/Austrian immigrant’s. Retired Army, work for a living still(gotta help our kids and others who need it).
My comment is this.
Why do so many blacks and patronizing whites support an absolute fraud like kerry or clinton? These people only spout their support when needing votes. Then they walk away from the supporters, but show up every 2-4 years to love all. My family in lala land Minnesota support all this “we love everyone, support minorities, unfortunates, and public schools”, but put their kids into private schools, just as the Jesse Jackson’s, Gore, Clinton, and some of the other party.
(k)erry and those others pander for the black vote, but are so racist that they don’t give credit to the fine/hard-working black/others that succeed! I live in a neighborhood of about 85% black.
So far, I’ve not been mugged, attacked, or even been threatened by these “stereotypical” robbers and non-workers.
:):). We’re mostly retired/active duty military people who get along very well. Something kerry and his group are totally unaware of!
Bless you for your thoughts and writng.
Jerry Fangel
270-352-4383
j.fangel@insightbb.com
I truly believe with all my heart that Kerry is an “undercover racist”; And on the other hand, Bush is clearly the “undercover brother”. Because Kerry only hired a ‘green guy’ who claims to be black when he was losing bad in the polls and wasn’t getting the black vote. (green guy-money..aka. jesse jackson).
Whereas Bush hires blacks and says nothing about it. Because he looks at people as qualified, equal, human beings. The “undercover brother”, aka GW Bush has best friends who are black. He loves all people and has a passion to try to do his best. Bush let’s his actions speak for itself.
AND I SAY “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”.
All Kerry is doing is going around saying “WORDS” in the black community AND HAS NO RECORD IN 20 YEARS IN THE SENATE, TO BACK IT UP. Kerry has only had the white vote for his 20 years as a senator in mass (percentage wise).
And will show no love for the black community as we will be the “collective modern day slave vote” for the democrats as unsual.
I ask you to pray to God today that Kerry’s true racism be exposed to the public. Cause God knows and can make him say something (like the “N” word).If we pray to God, He will reveal the truth about Kerry to the public.
I need you to pray this prayer and come in agreement with me asking God to bring this Truth we feel in our heart to pass:
Let us pray;
“Lord Jesus bring Kerry’s true racism out, (if it is so as we believe), to the surface. May it be exposed loudly and clearly to the public. Let the “N” word come from Kerry’s mouth before this election so that the public may know the truth about Kerry. Or Lord Jesus reveal his racism in another way; please Lord ‘just reveal it’. May the black community and everyone else see what Kerry is about,turn from him and not vote for him. Amen and thank you Lord Jesus!”
Somebody help me, (question); Isn’t Condoleeza Rice the highest appointed woman in the History of the United States? And (even though it shouldn’t matter but it seems to be important for our community-the black community), A BLACK WOMAN–THE HIGHEST APPOINTED WOMAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. IS A BLACK WOMAN.
She Doing an extremely OUTSTANDING JOB!
GOD BLESS THE USA; AND GET THE ‘DIXIECRATS’ (THE TERM FOR RACIST DEMOCRATS- WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN MANY OF THEM ) OUT OF OUR WAY.!
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