What is the real political party for Black America? Liberals' relationship with blacks is like a bad marriage

FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, African-Americans have had a love affair with the Democratic Party. The relationship between constituents and elected officials is like a marriage.

During the courting period, you're getting to know each other, seeing if you're compatible for the long term. You listen to each other's concerns and bend over backwards to accommodate your partner. You allow attraction and lust to cloud your better judgment.

The next thing you know, you're getting married, despite legitimate concerns over compatibility. On the surface, it seems like the right choice. But over time, things change. Once he knows he's got you, he begins to neglect you. He stops listening. No more flowers "just because."

How come? Because he knows you're not going anywhere. You begin to compromise your happiness and justify dysfunction in desperate hope that things will change.

There are those who realize a marriage is give-and-take, a two-way street. When one person is reaping all of the benefits at the expense of the other, he or she starts to look for alternatives. Sometimes it ends in divorce. Maybe the second time around will be the right choice. And so the story goes with Black America and the Democrats.

Black America needs to ask Democrats, "What have you done for me lately?" Many of us are leaving the Democrats, opting to become independents or, dare I suggest, Republican! Certain self-appointed "Black leaders" should be ashamed of themselves for capitalizing on the dysfunctions of the people they claim to represent. They exploit the problems of the less fortunate, promoting a sense of entitlement rather than serf-sufficiency and hope. These political opportunists need a permanent underclass to exist ...

Some Black leaders have been given passes for supporting issues like abortion and gay marriage and rejecting school choice. However, polls have shown a majority of Blacks are pro-life, in favor of education reform and disagree with undermining the traditional institution of marriage.

In fact, because of the gay marriage issue, just enough Blacks crossed party lines in Ohio during the 2004 presidential election to ultimately lead to the re-election of the most unpopular President in the Black community in recent history. Imagine the irony.

BLACKS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE

Black Americans have traditionally been socially conservative. The strong influence of the church and the importance of family structure are just a few reasons why.

Despite the strangleholds of slavery and Jim Crow, the strength of the Black family endured. An emphasis was placed on the importance of education, a solid work ethic and maintaining a sense of pride. Yet today, more than 70 percent of Black children are born out of wedlock. Marriage rates among Blacks have declined 34 percent since 1970, compared to 17 percent for all other groups. Blacks have the lowest marriage rate of any racial group, according to the U.S. Census.

Sociologist Andrew J. Cherlin claims a Black child was more likely to grow up living with both parents during slavery than he or she is today.

The liberal social attitudes of the '60s paved the way for the role of today's Black father to be replaced with a government check. The allure of government programs claiming to lend a helping hand--the trap set by the Great Society masquerading as the panacea for the injustices of the past--did nothing but provide a handout, not a hand-up.

The dismantling of the Black family has been the single most devastating result of the welfare state, a welfare state that so many Democrats have fought to preserve. Every negative social indicator increases when children are brought up in single-parent homes. Excuses have been accepted in the place of personal responsibility. The time has come to say enough is enough.

THE 'SOFT BIGOTRY OF LOW EXPECTATIONS

'This "soft bigotry of low expectations" cannot continue. Will Black-Americans finally remove the Democratic plank from their eyes or will they continue to allow the chokehold of liberalism to suppress the futures of our families?

Conservative policies are beginning to resonate with both the Black middle class, as well as with the disadvantaged. Funding for historically Black colleges, home ownership among Blacks and minority-owned business have all increased, thanks to the application of basic Republican principles.

Republican policies can lead to a better life for Blacks, if given a chance. However, Republicans must do a better job of building a rapport with Blacks all year long, not just during the final stretch of an election cycle, if the party wants to see results at the polls.

Margaret Thatcher once said, "First win the argument, then win the vote." At this rate, Democrats are in danger of losing both. The party's hypocrisy and neglect can no longer be ignored.

This political marriage may be heading for a divorce.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning