A few weeks ago, I told radio talk show host Rhonda Deniston out in San Diego that if the Republican party/Tea Party wanted to be taken more seriously in the Black community, it would target places like the Detroit, MI area. Instead of pointing to that area as an example of what happens when Liberalism rules an area, the Right should invest in that area and get behind organizations that are addressing some of the issues that plague that region. Get behind candidates that have both a track record and the ability to bring life back to that region.
The Democratic party does not give a flying flip about this area except during election season. And instead of going to places like this to invest, the Tea Party has resorted to simply providing a dog and pony show for the media and critics to prove that they actually “love” Black people.
If the Tea Party movement doesn’t want to end up like Cindy Sheehan and the rest of the anti-war movement (used by a major political party and dumped after the elections), it needs to go beyond the rallies and take advantage of the opportunities that lay before them.
You got a good point there. Never really thought about it like that. But I have a couple of questions.
1.What would that look like? The democrats have a foot hold in areas like this for some reason. They keep enough crumbs falling on the floor for the people in that area to continue to vote Dem. While Republicans are not much better in that regard.
2. How does the “Tea party” have the power to influence area’s like this? The tea party is not an elected power, nor does it have the power to drive business to those areas. All the tea party’s can do is to try and put folks in office that can. I’d love to see a tea party in some of those areas, but it takes the population in those areas to make a stand and say “We tried this liberalism for 30 years and it’s not helping”
Basically what I’m saying is it’s time for THOSE folks suffering in THOSE areas to STAND! when they stand they will find a HUGE support structure tight beside them.
The tea party is about self responsibility, fiscal responsibility, American values, small government and basically allowing the free market to work. (Basics, there are more) If that lady in the story was to start a tea party in that area, she’d have so much support she’d wonder shy she didn’t do it before.
It only takes one strong voice if that voice is reasoned and speaks truth. The tea party has a truthful, reasoned, proven message. That’s why they are demonized by the left.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane
Thanks for the comment. I will respond to it later tonight.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane
While the tea party is not in of itself a political party, it does primarily support the Republican party (give or take a few independents out there).
Local tea party members could identify organizations in that area that are addressing things like teen pregnancy, teen violence and rally behind them. Sit down with the leaders of those organizations and find out from a political standpoint how their needs could be addressed. Not talking about creating new programs or handing out more money. They may just need to have someone help them to knock down some of the walls of red tape in the local political arena. Oftentimes in these areas the people who want to do something are hampered by local politicians who do little to make improvements to the area easier.
Politicians do have the power to entice businesses into their area by lowering corporate taxes and fees. This, in turn helps to create jobs. Why not back local politicians in some of the areas mentioned in the article who have the track record of shaking things up. I personally like Corey Booker of Newark. He may be a Democrat, but he has made a huge effort to clean up that city. There are others just like him who may not be beholden to either party.
I’m not talking about a “Black” agenda here, I’m talking about how the Tea Party movement should have a real urban and rural agenda that shows how conservatism can improve schools (encourage school choice), lower crime (the importance of gun ownership), jobs (meet with local biz leaders in these areas and get their input–this also lowers government dependency), etc. I hope you get what I am saying.
http://americanandproud.net Robert
I absolutely get your meaning. And I’ve often thought there are ways the private sector could influence, impact and repair some of the damage done in several areas.
But I guess I gotta ask. Why is it the “Tea Party” that must make the move inward? It seems to me that’s part of the problem. Everyone else must do something FOR them. I’m not being sarcastic, and I’m surely not being racist or mean in this question. I’m simply wondering when it will change to “This is what WE are doing to change our situation” rather than depending on others to come in and do something first.
I’d be willing to bet, the minute folks like the one in the story decided to put fourth a little effort to JOIN or form a tea party, the Tea party would not only welcome them, but would throw a huge party for them. And I for one would do everything I could to participate.
I understand the benefits of garnering that segment of the population, but at that point I think the tea party would be seen as just trying to gain votes for the “R”…That’s not what the tea party is about.
The rural agenda, is not really a tea party thing my friend. Core values are pretty basic and it’s the one thing that separates the tea party from Republicans at large.
Free market solutions, Less Government, Less Regulations, low taxes so the business environment is more conducive to job creations, strong national defense and national security.. IF we delve into all the social issues it divides the party and it would be unhelpful.
This is where the “Urban” area could come on board with the tea party, these values are proven economic growers, and our elected officials have seen fit to cast aside those values. And we are seeing the results.
I posted your opinions on my site, and it’s been across many tea party leaders desks. I’m not sure if it will do any good but I sure like the way you think.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane
“This is what WE are doing to change our situation” rather than depending on others to come in and do something first.
Well, the Tea Party clearly has no problem riding to the assistance of Arizona on this immigration issue.
That is what I am saying. This is not about asking for some handout. What I am saying is all the effort the Tea Party has put into proving to the media circus that it is not racist would have been better spent going to some of the areas I have been mentioning and carrying your message of hope to them.
http://americanandproud.net Robert
Duane, you answered the statement. Riding to the aid of Arizona, Arizona DID something to help itself. That’s the point.
Like I said, When and If they stand MANY will stand with them. And then the real fight happens. You can look ahead just a bit and see how the fight will go down.
An area like the story gets 10 or 12 people standing up and starting their own tea party, MANY tea party activists would converge on that area for support… THEN the LEFT would start their attack machine. For a BLACK man or woman, the attacks are worse than they are for white folks. So I can seriously understand the hesitation to back the movement.
Like I said Duane I’ll do the best I can do to get that message out, and I’ll try and push a few folks in that direction. I have a few connections LOCALLY, but it will require a national outreach.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane
Riding to the aid of Arizona, Arizona DID something to help itself. That’s the point.
And people who live in the areas I mentioned are not doing something to help themselves?
There are many, MANY people in these areas who are doing things to help themselves. Take for example Sharlonda Buckman of the Detroit Parent Network. This is what she had to say at a school board meeting last year.
“Buckman also had harsh words for a group of teachers who are in favor of striking instead of approving a new contract that forces them to give up $500 per month or $250 per paycheck as an investment. The money will be given to the district to help plug a $219 million deficit, and it will be returned when they retire.
‘If they strike, I hope we start a homeschool movement,’ she said in a fiery rebuke. ‘If you want to walk out on us now, when we have all of our kids failing…you can’t do it.
Here you have a whole movement ready to explode with the party that has owned their vote for decades does not even care. Awesome opportunity.
It sounds like you get my point. I just wanted to point this out as well.
Dear Tea Party, You Are Blowing It!
by Duane on August 13th, 2010 at 11:54 amPicture: Wall Street Journal
A few weeks ago, I told radio talk show host Rhonda Deniston out in San Diego that if the Republican party/Tea Party wanted to be taken more seriously in the Black community, it would target places like the Detroit, MI area. Instead of pointing to that area as an example of what happens when Liberalism rules an area, the Right should invest in that area and get behind organizations that are addressing some of the issues that plague that region. Get behind candidates that have both a track record and the ability to bring life back to that region.
In today’s Wall Street Journal, Gary Fields puts both additional words and pictures to what I have been saying about the area and other areas like it.
The Democratic party does not give a flying flip about this area except during election season. And instead of going to places like this to invest, the Tea Party has resorted to simply providing a dog and pony show for the media and critics to prove that they actually “love” Black people.
If the Tea Party movement doesn’t want to end up like Cindy Sheehan and the rest of the anti-war movement (used by a major political party and dumped after the elections), it needs to go beyond the rallies and take advantage of the opportunities that lay before them.