from N'DIGO: Do the Democrats Take the Black Vote for Granted?

Do the Democrats Take the Black Vote for Granted? In the City of Chicago the Republican Party, doesn’t exist for all practical purposes. In the State of Illinois only because of downstate are there real Republicans. Democrats assume that Black voters will vote in mass for the party because of its history. All of the black eggs are in one basket. Why are Blacks in Chicago and Illinois so loyal to the Democratic Party? It goes back to the days of William Dawson and Mayor Daley. The lock is on. The Democrats have been the party of ease, embracing Black causes and candidates. The Democrats have presented the best Black opportunities . The late Mayor Daley not only courted the Black voter, he trained them with an army of precinct captains. The election of President John F. Kennedy was won from South Side voters. I suggest as the world is rapidly changing we need to reconsider. It’s almost like there is a Holy Grail or an unwritten rule that if you are Black you vote Democratic. Well now, here’s a question, for African American voters, what have the democrats done for you lately? Some Black neighborhoods look like war zones, black businesses are troubled and we don't get a fair share of government business. Black men are jailed and the educational system continues to produce failures. The crime rate is high because we lack protection. When do we demand something for our vote? Black southern voters of yesteryear. The Precious Vote. . . . The vote is precious and powerful. No other ethnic group in America has worked harder for the vote than the African American. We have died for the right to vote paying horrific social penalties to include marches, water hoses, jailings, burning properties , lynchings and even murders. Blacks have united in a resounding voice to cast the vote. We don’t bargain or leverage a collective power. We don’t ask the politicos to work for our vote. It’s time to take another look. The Democrats in essence ignore us until election time, and then they take a church tour. The Republicans don’t even bother to court the Black voter, consequently Blacks are left in the wind - taken for granted by one party and ignored by another. So, how about change? How about a new dynamic? Take a look at the Black economy. There is an invasion of foreigners in our neighborhoods. There are few restaurants. The Koreans dominate the Black hair care industry from the hair stores to the product. Cleaners are Asian controlled. Eastern Indians monopolize the Dunkin Donuts for coffee; donuts and ice cream. The Arabs own the gas stations and ma and pa corner stores. And then there is the nail shop with not one Black manicurist. The rest of the Black economy is left to the large chain stores. The fast food franchises dominate creating obesity and poor diets. The Opportunity. . . There is a lot of opportunity for the Black voter, only if the Black voter would demand it.. I am one to believe in the man or woman rather than the party. People run on their records, credentials and plans. If the political process is to be true to the democracy and the republic the Black voter should consider both parties to bring about a simple respect and to put a high value on the vote. The Black voter needs to consider its vote in full measure and have the politicians court the vote rather than take it for granted or ignore it.