Firstly, Obama has no real place in this discussion. It doesn't matter how he really feels on reparations. If he publically supported it, that would be the end of the Obama campaign. Thus, he does not support it as part of his platform.
Secondly, every post I saw, pro or con, fails to understand the issue at all.
Pro-reparations people would tell you that if you oppose reparations you are pro-100% death tax.
The argument is that slaves were entitled to compensation for their labors, and thus their descendants are entitled to any accumulation of their wealth. Some argue that it is not the government, but the companies and corporations who forced their labor that owes compensation to their victims.
See a case that went no where:
archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/03/26/slavery.reparations/
In short, companies that that were bought out by or became other companies accumulated wealth, and thus funds for reinvestment and growth, through stolen and forced labor. Those forced into labor should have been invested in that growth.
If you want to check your prejudice, read this page and see if it raises different emotions in you than the American slave debate. Is there really a statute of limitations on forced labor?
religioustolerance.org/fin_nazi.htm
Secondly, every post I saw, pro or con, fails to understand the issue at all.
Pro-reparations people would tell you that if you oppose reparations you are pro-100% death tax.
The argument is that slaves were entitled to compensation for their labors, and thus their descendants are entitled to any accumulation of their wealth. Some argue that it is not the government, but the companies and corporations who forced their labor that owes compensation to their victims.
See a case that went no where:
archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/03/26/slavery.reparations/
In short, companies that that were bought out by or became other companies accumulated wealth, and thus funds for reinvestment and growth, through stolen and forced labor. Those forced into labor should have been invested in that growth.
If you want to check your prejudice, read this page and see if it raises different emotions in you than the American slave debate. Is there really a statute of limitations on forced labor?
religioustolerance.org/fin_nazi.htm