THERE’S ALWAYS MORE…
Republicans are unquestionably braver these days. Well, maybe not quite, but certainly more comfortable in their approach to political strategy. This may be drastically due to the understanding that popular dissent has been all but squashed by conservative separatist propaganda. Ironically, the same 1st Amendment advocates are the same who lead the charge against citizens who speak truth to power. When that power is maintained by Conservative ideology, that is. When a Democrat holds the highest office in the land, all is fair game.
Oh, what a difference one election makes. Notwithstanding the often veiled and sometimes blatant racist attacks by political opponents against the 44th President of the United States, Republican operatives are in a race to the bottom of the moral compass, in their efforts to ensure that Barack Obama is a one-term president.
It seems that Republicans aren’t ready to accept the reality that their scorched earth offensive works better in theory and rhetoric, but not quite so much pragmatically. For it is often the case where those with authority are bold and courageous on the frontlines, but found chasing their tales when the time calls for a swift exit strategy. Hence, the revered Sarah Palin having recently pulled the plug on her cross-country campaign tour, amid mounting reports of her increasingly improbable electability. And campaign woes aren’t limited to Palin, with each frontrunner having their own political trials to clean up.
Nevertheless, the strategy has transitioned into testing Obama’s vulnerability with perhaps his most loyal constituency, Black America. It was only a matter of time before Republicans shifted into highlighting the diminishing optimism Blacks invested into Barack Obama three years ago. Apparently, silly season has arrived early and at the luxury of Black America.
One must wonder how fit a leader could possibly be when they freely and unapologetically espouse such views as those by the likes of Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann, who both recently have pointed out that President Obama has failed the Black community, in regards to coping with the recession.
This newfound candor, to speak to the quandaries between Obama and the Black community would be more welcome, if it were not for one small factor: some Blacks also attribute much of the credit to the Republican Party and its Tea Party faction for Obama’s disappointing performance on the economy. While the Right has shown no shame about appealing to the ignorance of the masses, I understand their willingness to carry on as though blacks have a short memory.
Republicans are undoubtedly playing on Obama’s economic vulnerability. Recognizing the contentious public debate within the Black community (see Cornel West and Lupe Fiasco), Republicans see it as a clear entrance for them to join the argument (a notion which likely served as a motivating factor behind many Blacks’ attempt to stifle Obama dissenters). But not so fast! Republicans definitely have a peculiar way of redirecting backlash, but with this issue hitting so close to home, they may want to immediately abandon the appeal to the sheep mentality, or tread much more softly.
While many Blacks are beyond convinced that President Obama can do more to attack the causes of Black poverty, there is even more certainty that Republicans have deliberately and consistently obstructed efforts to stimulate the economy and bring jobs to the Black community. There is also certainty that Republicans have deliberately sabotaged economic stimulus for the sole purpose of ensuring President Obama’s political demise. I know Blacks haven’t traditionally represented themselves as the savviest voting bloc, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to uncover this sinister plot.
Even if none of this were true, there is no mistaking the fact that Republicans haven’t mentioned a word about job creation, since their November sweep, if not only to promote more tax cuts for the wealthiest ‘job creators’ (a notion which has been proven false). Republicans have revealed where their priorities are held and Blacks aren’t so naïve to fall for the banana in the tailpipe. Republican governors and legislative majorities across the nation have all but declared war against Blacks with aggressive voting rights bills, significant social program budget cuts, union-busting and other legislative issues which have no aims to improve the quality of life for Blacks, but to certainly make it more difficult to pull themselves up out of poverty.
Perhaps, by the time I’m done writing this, someone would have gotten the word to the Right that their help isn’t needed on this issue and they would better serve themselves by staying out of the discussion.
Center of Attention
President Obama cited historic presidence for religious tolerance during a speech he gave on Friday, in which he offered support for an Islamic community center. Plans to build the $100 million dollar center have been met with a lot of controversy, as its developers have received approval to build the center three blocks away from Ground Zero.
I was almost impressed that Obama had decided to take a definitive position on a controversial issue, until I read that NYC Mayor Bloomberg had taken the same position a week ago. I’m not surprised that the so much controversy is being raised arround the issue. During a recent episode of The Daily Show, John Stewart pointed out the many protests against the building of mosques, which are not located within such close proximity to Ground Zero, although the proximity seems to be the main argument driving the protests against the center. He noted opposition to local mosques that reach as far away from G.Z. as California. It doesn’t even surprise me that the opposition has pegged it a mosque, when in fact the development also includes a performing arts theatre, swimming pool, culinary school & restaurant and a gym.
An issue that does concern me is that the developers are comfortable and adamant about building the center in that area; It seems to already be a target for hate. It also concerns (but doesn’t surprise) me that the opposition to the center has directly credited Islam with the 9/11 attacks. I suppose now that Saddam’s regime has been toppled, we need another scapegoat to misdirect our hurt and anger towards.
