Bush Reaches Out To Blacks

[NATO AIR]

(and the liberal LA Times actually approves)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-blacks4feb04,0,1000305.story
EDITORIAL
Bush Reaches Out to Blacks

The GOP has been courting black clergy since President Bush's first term, with its federal funding of faith-based projects and regular kaffeeklatsches for black pastors. Now that courtship is bearing fruit.

On Tuesday, a group of influential black ministers, which includes Los Angeles evangelist Frederick K.C. Price, proclaimed a pact with Republicans on issues such as opposition to gay marriage, support for school vouchers and the expansion of faith-based social programs. The ministers intend to support key Bush initiatives, including privatization of Social Security, in exchange for his consideration of reentry programs for ex-felons, aid to Africa and an overhaul of healthcare coverage. The next day, Bush announced a $150-million anti-gang initiative in the State of the Union address.

It's unfortunate the pastors made support for a federal ban on gay marriage a centerpiece of their platform. That position reflects not only the scriptural opposition they share with white evangelicals but concern over the fragility of the institution of marriage — blacks have the lowest marriage rates — and some resentment that gay rights activists draw parallels between the campaign for same-sex marriage and earlier struggles for racial equality. But the gay marriage issue should not blind liberals to the broader, evolving dialogue between the GOP and inner-city church leaders, whose support Democrats have taken for granted.

Black pastors understand that something is dreadfully wrong in the inner city, and it goes deeper than inadequate schools and disappearing jobs. Too many black communities are under siege from their own children — embittered young men who have turned powerlessness into rage. Bush speaks to those neighborhoods when he promises to help parents and community leaders promote an "ideal of manhood that respects women and rejects violence."

It would be easy to write off any outreach by this administration to the black community as cheap politicking, just as it would be easy to attack the administration if it made no such effort. This president's policies haven't exactly exuded concern for inner cities. But Bush's faith and personal history — he once mentored a young man who was later killed in Houston's gang violence — should not be dismissed too lightly. Give Bush credit for recognizing a growing sense of desperation and tapping into the spiritual vein that has long infused black politics. And his decision to assign his wife, Laura, a former teacher, to head the anti-gang effort may be another sign that the president is genuine about wanting to pay closer attention to the plight of black youths in this country.

Democrats would be wrong to dismiss inroads made by Bush as evidence of blacks' political naivete. There was precious little talk from Democrats during the presidential campaign about inner-city malaise. Black leaders engaged in dialogue with both parties will only give their constituents greater political clout, which they desperately need.

 

[Annie]

(and the liberal LA Times actually approves)

From the above, it should be obvious not so much as 'courting blacks' as being on the same page as the majority of blacks. There is a huge difference. A difference the blacks that are cognizant of appreciate.

 

[NATO AIR]

From the above, it should be obvious not so much as 'courting blacks' as being on the same page as the majority of blacks. There is a huge difference. A difference the blacks that are cognizant of appreciate.

I think they have begun to feel that Bush understands their problems and their faith much more so than most Democrats

 

[Merlin1047]

All that is fine. But most inner city problems can be traced to money - or the lack thereof. If the GOP wants to get two birds with the same rock, it should promote job growth in the poor sections of town and get unemployed black people on the payrolls. That will reduce crime dramatically and maybe, just maybe poor black people will begin to realize that Democrats are not their friends.

The upshot of most liberal handout programs is more dependence and more poverty. I don't think that libs sit in back rooms and plot how to keep blacks dependent on government handouts (except maybe kennedy and kerry). But I do believe that most libs have short attention spans when it comes to dealing with social problems. They mistake a quick fix for a solution. They're usually wrong.

 

[Annie]

All that is fine. But most inner city problems can be traced to money - or the lack thereof. If the GOP wants to get two birds with the same rock, it should promote job growth in the poor sections of town and get unemployed black people on the payrolls. That will reduce crime dramatically and maybe, just maybe poor black people will begin to realize that Democrats are not their friends.

The upshot of most liberal handout programs is more dependence and more poverty. I don't think that libs sit in back rooms and plot how to keep blacks dependent on government handouts (except maybe kennedy and kerry). But I do believe that most libs have short attention spans when it comes to dealing with social problems. They mistake a quick fix for a solution. They're usually wrong.

I may be wrong here, but seems to me that the GOP has reached out in the modes you are suggesting. Small business loans and tax breaks. Am I missing something here, Merlin?

 

[fuzzykitten99]

All that is fine. But most inner city problems can be traced to money - or the lack thereof. If the GOP wants to get two birds with the same rock, it should promote job growth in the poor sections of town and get unemployed black people on the payrolls. That will reduce crime dramatically and maybe, just maybe poor black people will begin to realize that Democrats are not their friends.

The upshot of most liberal handout programs is more dependence and more poverty. I don't think that libs sit in back rooms and plot how to keep blacks dependent on government handouts (except maybe kennedy and kerry). But I do believe that most libs have short attention spans when it comes to dealing with social problems. They mistake a quick fix for a solution. They're usually wrong.

that's nice and all, but how about getting those people to TRUST Bush? Since those areas are infested with liberals, it's hard to shout above the crowd.

 

[Merlin1047]

I may be wrong here, but seems to me that the GOP has reached out in the modes you are suggesting. Small business loans and tax breaks. Am I missing something here, Merlin?

Whatever they are doing doesn't seem to be bearing much fruit. Inner city populations continue to decline as people move elsewhere. Unemployment rates of the inner city populace is extremely high - 24% in one city, even higher in others.

But this is really a problem for the cities themselves to deal with because they are usually far more cognizant of the specifics of their inner city's problem than the federal government. Usually when the feds get involved you end up with a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn't work very well in most cases and not at all in some.

Personally, I would like to see a return to employment programs implemented during the great depression. The CCC for instance. All able-bodied welfare recipients would have to sign up. That gives the taxpayer something in return for the welfare bucks spent, it provides training to the unemployed and develops a work ethic in those who may be allergic to doing an honest day's work.

 

[Merlin1047]

that's nice and all, but how about getting those people to TRUST Bush?

Who the hell do you think I am - Karnak the Great? Beats the stuffings out of me. But I don't think that trust is an issue. A job is a job - it doesn't matter if you trust the employer or not as long as you get paid on time.

 

[Johnney]

Whatever they are doing doesn't seem to be bearing much fruit. Inner city populations continue to decline as people move elsewhere. Unemployment rates of the inner city populace is extremely high - 24% in one city, even higher in others.

But this is really a problem for the cities themselves to deal with because they are usually far more cognizant of the specifics of their inner city's problem than the federal government. Usually when the feds get involved you end up with a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn't work very well in most cases and not at all in some.

Personally, I would like to see a return to employment programs implemented during the great depression. The CCC for instance. All able-bodied welfare recipients would have to sign up. That gives the taxpayer something in return for the welfare bucks spent, it provides training to the unemployed and develops a work ethic in those who may be allergic to doing an honest day's work.

well damn Merlin, if we did that then we couldnt raise generation after generation of welfare freeloaders.

kidding aside, that is a good idea. i no more want to throw my tax money into the toilet then you do. they need a good program for welfare to work. with a time limit for the process. some people are just having a bit of bad luck. not raised on it. and the boost towards some new type of training may be what they need to get back into the game.