Does the Republican Party have anything to offer African-American voters?

Question

Just curious. I had run out of ideas for questions and somebody suggested I ask this. Thought the question was actually interesting so- any thoughts?

Hi gtoacp. I understand your point about this question seeming a bit "racist." However, the person that suggested I ask it was African-American. Lots of good points by everyone so far.

Answer 1

i despise both parties. it's this two party system that has screwed things up. there is a poverty of ideas and your only choices are one extreme or the other. i dislike how cosy republicans are with big business and i dislike how the democrats like to expand government into people's lives. the current administration is one of the most un-republican yet expanding government to record levels.

the idealist gave a good and thoughrough answer. the republicans have done some bad things but the democrats often end up making people more dependent and killing initiative.

as far as african americans are concerned- it's dangerous for one group to vote so monolithically for one party (80% of blacks for democrats). i believe the democrats have taken our vote for granted and many of their programs haven't helped as much as they should have. also, i do not feel very threatened by the confederate flag or individual racists in general. if the republican party would clean itself up and stand for what it says it does then i believe it has a lot to offer black voters.

i believe that those who have been called "black leadership" have failed on many points. one point is throwing all their chips in with the democratic party. another failure is that even though the needs of the black community have changed over the last 40 years, the strategy of the democrats and black leaders have not.

most people associate being black with being poor. there are far more blacks who are middle class and up than those who are poor. yes there are black heads of fortune 500 companies. merril-lynch, mastercard, and fannie mae to name a few. that is not to say that there is no racism and that the black community does not have problems with it. i think the bogeyman of racism is often seen as being bigger than he is so that in the end we have trouble distinguishing which problems are ours and which are his.

right now our struggle needs to be an internal one. we need to pull ourselves together enough to assess our needs and do something about them. for me, the government is not necessarily the answer. and the way things are now, neither is either party. to only have two real choices is absurd and each becomes more extreme in reaction to the other. then nobody wins. eventually, support for either of these extremes looks ridiculous.

Answer 2

Typically middle class parents vote republican, because you can count on republican not to slash massive amounts out of the defense budgets, which makes parents feel their children's lives are likely to be safer.

Bussiness owners consider the republican party, because while both parties damage small bussiness the republicans seem to do it less so.

There are various other religious and political reason why a person would vote for a party as well.

Oh, and I'm not sure how many "AA" farmer's there are, but you are more likely to get a good deal with inheritance taxes with republicans.

Just remeber, when you ask "what does (such and such) party have to offer (whatever constituency)," you are fostering a view of pork that is really damaging to our country. By asking for things from the government, we make it even larger than it might get if we didn't ask.

Republican is a good bet if you believe:
I don't want anything, just leave me alone.

Answer 3

They offer jobs. Thats what the republican party is all about. You just have to be willing to go find them. Open the paper, look on the internet. The jobs are there. Though I know that's not what you want, you want a welfare check. Too Bad. If you want what the Dems offer, move to New Orleans. They own Louisiana and created all the problems they have there. Just another example of a failed democrat agenda. The real deal though, is that's the plan, keep you poor and on there voters roll.

Answer 4

The Black American community would benefit the most from having a substantial representation in BOTH major parties. For the longest time the Democratic party has been taking the Black vote for granted (and therefore doesn't give a crap about them) and the Republican party has considered them out of reach (and therefore doesn't give a crap about them). If there were substantial representation on both sides, then both parties would have a continual contest to see who could best represent the Black American voters.
But no, we've got Black leaders who get up and preach about the importance of "solidarity" within the Black community, meaning that they must be uniformly Democrat. Anybody who disagrees is a "race traitor."

Answer 5

Well, you do have to understand why each party believes what it believes. Republicans believe in a core set of traditional values as their guiding force & all policy springs from that for good or bad. They are backdropped by a frontier sort of self-reliance & tough love alongside christian charity.

I'd tell you that most blacks share the traditional value structure at the center of the republican party, and disapprove of the value structure advanced by an exploitive liberal entertainment industry.

I'd tell you that it was the republican party that freed the slaves; the republican party who joined forces with JFK & LBJ against southern democrats to pass civil rights statutes; a republican dominated court that overturned segregation. It was a republican (Reagan) who created majority-minority congressional districts to ensure minority representation in congress.

The largest point of contention is a matter of marketing. It was once true that blacks were oppressed by a racist system. But is that true now? There are a few racist people in the country, but they don't control any part of govt anywhere. The culture of victimization has been a masterful marketing ploy by the democratic party to make blacks believe republicans are "the man" holding them down, even though it was a democratic congress in charge for 70 years that was actually in charge during the darker periods. You see this every time something happens in a black community & someone's on TV talking about racism, it's rediculous. Republican aren't racist! They just want a color blond society that offers equal opportunity to each individual to succeed or fail on their own.

If I had to reduce it to a single issue, it would be social assistance, mostly welfare. Obviously most blacks aren't on welfare & many times more whites are on it than blacks. However, blacks are offended by the republican postion on social programs & see it as a racist measure aimed at holding them down. Republicans believe strongly in the principle of charity, but not addictive & harmful dependence or any ongoing right to support. They simply believe in a tough love program that involves short-term support paired with job training & placement. They believe in using capitalism to overcome problems. That's it.

It will take some major event for the black voting block to open their eyes to how the democratic party takes them from granted & holds them down to continue exploiting their votes. I'd say republicans electing a black Pres/VP would be a good start. Of course the first one wouldn't carry much of the black vote & would be called a sell out, but over time eyes would open & the second black pres candidate would get a lot of votes.

Answer 6

In my opinion asking such a question is racist. You cannot put all African-American voters in a single category. This perpetuates stereotypes, just as you stereotype the Republican Party. BTW, is a white American who comes from The Union of South Africa still an African-American even if they can trace their linage back in Africa for hundreds of years???

Answer 7

HAHAHAHA Are you KIDDING ME? Bobby Jindal is a fraeking Traitor. positive he's born East Indian yet for the time of extreme college he switched over right into a redneck. Bobby become so disgraced of Being Indian that he replaced his first call to an English call. He replaced his faith in shame. No ask your self Republicans picked him up. Now seem on the extra acceptable facet, Democrats have range. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, BUddhists, all seem to need Democrats. ILOL Democrats are egocentric huh? What about this republican warfare? enthusiastic about Oil thats what you call egocentric. Republicans were widespread for his or her racism and outward blatant responses, consistent cursing, consistent shouting. get mutually? Rush Limbough--seem up his 10 racist comments. bill O' Reily --this guy is a MANIAC. Democrats have range. Republicans are egocentric guy...Democrats help foreigners....dont be blind.

Answer 8

Maybe Black AMERICANS, not African's. Are you from Africa or are you from AMERICA? I was born in the USA my Grandparents were from Italy. I am a White AMERICAN!
The democrat party will keep the Black American's down and out as long as they can. Republicans would rather have everyone who is able work! As long as you are dependent on someone the more they will use and abuse you!

Answer 9

The republican party was formed to free the slaves by abe lincoln himself. the republican passes the civil rights bill of 1965, and the addition af 1986, with a 96% approval compared with the 50% of democrats. Republicans want to get blacks on there feet and being equal parts in society.

Answer 10

Yes, a quality education where a freedom of belief is respected. Jobs that they qualify for because of the education. Most people who lean towards the Republican Party or are in it tend to be more proactively involved in their own lives. My question is when will the Democratic Party do something for any one other than make promises.