In These Times

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• • 11 Dec 08
  • 3:00 pm

  Too frequently in our America we insist on the color of issues. I disagree, Laura Washington. The first black president of the United States cannot credibly govern without a national agenda that furthers the welfare, education, and futures of all Americans. The first black president of the United States must first and foremost lead us all, and implement policies that benefit us all. For too long in this country, under the auspices of the rampant Bush administration, only the needs of the wealthy and big business have concerned our "leaders". It is time for long and careful look at the basic …

  Posted to Obama Needs a Black Agenda

• • 11 Dec 08
  • 6:28 pm

  I don't think most of the white race, particularly the baby boomers, who marched, and died, for voter registration in the south, who have in one way or another worked every day of their lives to further the cause of their black brethren, should be described as "post-racialist". I, personally, find that offensive. No one that I know of wishes to erase your people, which coincidentally, given my fathers bloodlines, and my nephews' bloodlines, are also my people. No one has taken greater pride in the words of Sojourner Truth than this light skinned, blue eyed feminist. And no one took …

  Posted to Obama Needs a Black Agenda

• • 11 Dec 08
  • 11:57 pm

  Well, Andewp111 there is some merit to your idea, although it would be illegal to "exclude" Mexican "gangs". Legalizing drugs would certainly empty the prisons, and legislating and licensing their use would certainly create jobs. Please remember, however, he can't just "preside" over the black community. He needs to be president to all. And he's a president, not a saviour-the duties of the two are mutually exclusive. We also don't know about the wealth part...if drugs were licensed and legal, they wouldn't have the same dollar value they do now. The solution you suggest would probably result in some middle class …

  Posted to Obama Needs a Black Agenda

• • 12 Dec 08
  • 12:37 am

  Well put, carstedan. United we stand, and divided, we might be conquered. It is time for all Americans to share in the wealth and largess of this country. It is time for tired old racial ways to fall by the wayside. We no longer have the luxury of fighting with one another; too many others are waiting to take us apart. We ARE a Republic; I refrained from saying so earlier, as I thought no one else would recognize what I was saying. I am impressed with your knowledge, and your message. Thank you.

  Posted to Obama Needs a Black Agenda

• • 12 Dec 08
  • 1:22 am

  In a capitalist society, the upper class, or, in the instance of America, the ruling business class makes a point of tilting all of the "not wealthy" at one another. So-you end up with poor white against poor black, poor black against poor Latino, and, in some cases, everybody against all white people-whether they are wealthy or not. This is not accidental-it is necessary, and required, for the wealthy ruling class to exist. The point is to keep the poor constantly fighting with one another, so that they never stop and realize they are not one anothers' enemy. If you are …

  Posted to Obama Needs a Black Agenda