Cobb

Why is loyalty so fixed? What values have past Democratic candidates shared with the black community that the Republican candidates have not? If the Democratic party is taking advantage of this loyalty, why isn't the "black community" saying, "To hell with loyalty!"? I ask these questions not facetiously but from honest curiosity.

I think it has to do with the distance and the difference between 'black leaders' that get free media coverage and those elected officials who actually represent black constituencies. In otherwords, the 'black agenda' is not really controlled by blackfolks. What a 'black' issue is gets distorted somewhere up the chain of communication such that suddenly it's something Jesse Jackson can rhyme, and Americans take it for granted that this is real black politics.

The result of this is that black politics from the grass roots has not evolved properly, and new issues that face African Americans are not brought to the public attention. This is why I think young blackfolks feel they are left out and that

Too many Americans are still fighting the culture wars, and still appropriating Civil Rights rhetoric when it comes to black politics. This is what fits in the headlines.

So neither the Democrats nor the Republican parties have any interest in expending effort to dig below this level. The only really new issue that wasn't a part of my parents variety of black politics are school vouchers. (off the top of my head). All the other issues are ossified and nothing Jackson or Sharpton haven't already talked about.

The real interests of African Americans are far broader and more diverse that what is considered 'black politics'. That is why things have to change on the supply and demand sides - because these interests are not being actively persued. We are stuck at a bad equilibrium.

Vouchers are an important Issue but I belive it is one of many. I listed out a few when I had a positive exhange with promethus 6.

http://blacksforbush.blogspot.com/2004_06_13_blacksforbush_archive.html#108748708528364594

If Republicans really want the Black vote, the Black Republicans should tell the white Republicans to clean up their own damn mess. Meaning, white Republicans should be doing serious face time in the Black communities.

Meanwhile, Black Republicans should be putting the fire to Black Democrats who have sold out to maintain their office and their symbolic positions of power.

If Black Republicans really had any idea of what it takes to win, they would ask Blacks who have serious standing in urban areas to run for office as Republicans. Let them know money is going to come their way. Let them know that white Republicans will not stand in their way.

Let the Black Republicans take to the airways and address the issue of Democrats taking the Black vote for granted without saying Blacks are on the plantation.

Let them address the issue of school vouchers without slandering the teachers unions.

Let them address the issues of Black businesses.

Let them address issues of police in the community.

Hell, find a Black Democrat who is pissed and get him to switch parties. In Maryland, that would be Clarence Mitchell, III, aka C4.

In Maryland, Michael Steele is doing it right.

Even though he wasn't the 1st choice for state Republican chair, he went to the Black media and made the case. When I talked with him about Republicans treatment of Blacks, he conceded the points and then took the step to find common ground. After that, our conversation was good.

Even though he wasn't Ehrlich's first choice for a running mate, a white Democrat woman was, he forced concessions from Ehrlich to get Minority Business Enterprises to be a major focus before he accepted. He also made sure Ehrlich showed up in Black areas.