Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I have often wondered why black voters are so tied to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party fought the abolition of slavery, they fought voting rights in the South for years and have been the party responsible for keeping blacks "on the plantation" figuratively, with social programs designed to maintain and reinforce dependency on government.

Yet, blacks continue to support the Democratic Party blindly and without reason. You explained it much more lucidly than I could have, and you hit the bull's eye. — Joseph

Dear Joseph: I tried to explain how blacks could have power in the political process. Power is in the hands of the group that is the swing vote. As long as blacks are completely committed to one party, they are taken for granted and have no party.

Thank you for your comments. You were not the only one who had an opinion — read on.

From Agnus: You are nothing but an Uncle Tom and a stooge for the Republican Party. I don't believe you are really black.

To Agnus: I guess Obama and I are not black enough. I realize the greatest sin a black person can commit is to think differently from the so-called black leadership. It is amazing how the black community will come to the defense of the vilest black lawbreakers but eviscerate anyone for disagreeing. Blacks are the most loyal members of the one party, and what has been their reward? As someone once said, insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.

From Vincent: I just love your statement that "politicians don't love you, they just want your vote." My Italian friends would say, "You have a lot of c————-s." My question to you is, why is your opinion not widely known by many African Americans?

To Vincent: Since I don't speak Italian, I looked up your word and couldn't find it in the Italian dictionary.

I also checked slang dictionaries and found what I believe you are trying to say. You misspelled something I can't put in my column, but I think it is a compliment. If I am right, thank you.

Blacks have a tradition since slavery of blindly following whoever has authority over them. Once the slave master was removed, black leaders quickly took their place in the mind game. The black leaders know how to deliver the vote, and political parties reward those leaders with a great amount of power and wealth. This is why anyone who dares to weaken the leadership's hold over the masses is discredited and destroyed.

From John: You gave new meaning to the word cynical. I am not sure I would group all politicians under the same umbrella. I am a worker bee in the GOP. We have been black Americans' best friend. Democrats have voted against every major civil rights piece of legislation. They also give blacks just enough to keep them coming back to the feeding trough and voting Democrat.

To John: I agree with you. However, the GOP was once the party of black America, and blacks voted for you just like they now vote for the Democrats. You lost the black vote because you took their vote for granted. The GOP sold out blacks for the sake of power and allowed all the Jim Crow laws to take effect. Blacks were mistreated, lynched and treated like animals. The Democrats came along and passed out a few crumbs, and like starving children blacks gobbled them up.

When a group has been mistreated as long as blacks it doesn't take much to win their vote. Now, that same handout mentality is hurting blacks. The Democrats will keep giving just enough crumbs to keep blacks on the plantation. Politicians don't love blacks; they just want their vote.

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