Democracy Gone Wrong

2008-10-02T16:43:00.003-10:00

i would like to start off this text with some questions; what is wrong with our country today? do you understand the difference between republicans and democrats? do you know each candidates stance throughout this campaign on issues that effect you in your everyday life? when you can answer those questions, then you should read on. but for now, do some research and get the facts. and no, not the 'bet news' facts or the 'daily show' facts, but the true facts not fabricated by the media, which are all a business for profit. before i continue, i would like to state, that i would like to see our nation's first black president elected. if obama wins the presidential race, he will break the last american color line that exists in this country today, giving me the opportunity to raise my children in a country where they can truly be whatever they want. but what are we voting for, race or politics?

"to those who say law and order is the code word for racism, here is a reply: our goal is justice for every american." this was said by former president richard nixon in 1968, regarding our country racism problems. obama's response to nixon nearly 40 years later sounded on a similar note: 'outrage over an injustice like the jena 6 isn't a matter of black and white. its a matter of right and wrong."

when responding to the disaster left by hurricane katrina, "i do not subscribe to the notion that the painfully slow response of fema and the department of homeland security was racially based, the ineptitude was color-blind." and obama did not object to the sean bell ruling, saying, "the judge has made his ruling, and we're a nation of laws, so we respect the verdict that came down." in case you don't know, sean bell, a young black male heading home on his final night as an unmarried man, was killed by an undercover cop. This was not a 'normal' cop mistake, as bell was shot 50 times. this case was deemed fully legal, as the cops were believed to be in fear of their lives, but bell and both his friends were unarmed...

what it comes down to, is that obama's candidacy is seen as an indication that racial barriers no longer exist in the united states. indeed, the election of a black president would be an undeniable milestone in american history, forcing many white americans to confront fears and distrust of black people. what is wrong with this race, is that it has taken obama's embrace of post-racialism, along with distancing himself from traditional civil rights-style black leadership, to lend visibility to his campaign. so for those americans looking for a 'black savior,' is this truly what obama is portraying, or is it the exact opposite?

i received a text today that read; "go obama and biden!!! hey did you know that obama has jay-z and kanye on his ipod!!! (hopefully this person is reading this). although this was very disturbing, it was the last ignorant remark to put me over the edge. it was very clear in this message, and many others that i've received, that blacks are looking for some type of connection with this presidential candidate. looking for some type of 'pass' where he can be accepted as one of 'us', but in actuality, he has done nothing for 'us' since the early 90's. and while conducting a 'bet' interview, he mentioned his play list, ironically it included hip hop on a all hip hop station, go figure... it is true, that obama put in a lot of work in southside chicago, right out of columbia. but what has he done for black america since? not much... since attending harvard law and the 2000 census, he had his state senate district redrawn to make it; "wealthier, whiter, more jewish, less blue collar and better educated." which was stated by the new yorker, an independent publisher. this strategy proved to be not only successful, but a vital part to his 2004 campaign for a u.s. senate seat.

the key question is whether much of the agenda in the fight against racial inequality remains unfulfilled. the answer to this question should be obvious, but its yes just in case. it is apparent that obama is black by looking at his skin color, but are his views the same views as black america? does obama truly understand the middle class anymore than mccain (who has no clue) i don't think so... like i said in my opening, i would like to see this country finally elect its first black president, but based on politics and not race.

this country has dug itself in a hole for the past 8 years, mostly surrounding the financial crisis, the war in iraq and the nations energy supply. what barack has proven through his votes in senate throughout these past years; is that he has no plans of creating new energy supplies domestically, voted to raise taxes to as high as 39 1/2% to anyone making over $42,000/yr (whats your idea of middle class???) and has no idea what this country needs to get out of iraq.

but why would obama change what works? hilary took that 'road less traveled,' and it got her nowhere. she chose to fight for what she believed every step of the way, which included standing straight up to obama's inability to do the same. she called obama a plagiarist, a right-winger, a left-winger, a liar, a snob and out-of-touch. but at the tail end of a campaign full of soul-selling, name-calling, party betrayal, and reputation bashing, what did she get? what did she gain for taking that 'road less traveled by'?

a net loss of two delegates (381 to obama's 383)

it has made no difference.

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Democracy Gone Wrong