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MLK and Summer Farm work in Connecticut

Posted in politics, tagged on February 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »

MLK and Summer Farm work in Connecticut

 

My friend Walt is a Morehouse Man as was his father, a recently passed Black surgeon in South Georgia.  As the community remembered this prominent physician’s service in medicine and the military, many people learned that “Doc” and Dr. King worked together on farms in Connecticut during their Morehouse College years.  They enjoyed the freedom of dining and seeing movies without the Jim Crow restrictions of the South so much that many of the students were sadden when their train back to Georgia reached D.C. and they had to return to the Negro section.     

 

Since my father was an agriculture teacher from North Carolina A&T and Tuskegee (and a fraternity brother of Doc and Dr. King,) I heard this story many times as a child.  I spent some summers doing hard farm work in the south Georgia sun and was extreme motivated to achieve academically the next school year.  Oldheads in the fields would say, “You boys are here for pocket money and muscles; and you white boys get to work on your tans but can you image working like this for someone else for forty years.”

 

A little hard work during the formative years can really help with perspective today but it did other things for Dr. King back in the day.

 

http://www.simsburyhistory.org/mlk2.html

 

http://windsorcc.org/visitors/calendar/martinlutherkingce/

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Congressional Field Staffers

Posted in politics, tagged on February 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Current congressional field staffers spend time connecting with big political donors and supporters or attending meetings directly related to the federal government.  However, most citizens’ concerns and problems are directly or indirectly related to the federal government because many personal choices, decisions and consequences end up in the government’s lap.  “Your mortgage problems stem from the fact that you bought too much house—the size of your finished basement should have been the size of your first house.”

 

For years, I wanted to see Black moderate southern GOP members of congress.  These members would have helped the mindset range of the Black community by pushing conservatism in personal and financial actions and educating our community regarding the logical limited role of government in the post-civil rights era.  In other words, stop digging yourself into holes and reaching for governmental hands to help you out. 

 

Until the GOP has the foresight to produce candidates with a broader appeal in battleground districts, this duty should fall to congressional field staffers—staff in the local offices.

 

Black congressional field staffers have always given inspirational speeches and talks:

 

“If you play in school, you won’t be prepared for work and life.  If you have children before you have a dependable income source or career, you will have a harder row to hoe.  If you spent as much time on homework as practicing basketball, you would be prominent in the NBA—the National Bankers Association.”

 

http://www.nationalbankers.org/

 

 

The standard staff  “role of government/be your best” speech needs more details and specifics to encourage all youth to make deliberate and planned decisions.  For many Georgia youth—both Black and White- these staffers were the first non-educator Black male professionals they ever met.  Seeing a brother in a tie and Blazer who was still cool gave them options.  These staffers planted the seeds of success but having the Obamas in the White House is the ultimate role model situation. 

 

If you are a southwest Georgia high school student, Rep. Sanford Bishop is the only congressman you can remember and that is a good thing—it would have been better if Bishop were the new agriculture secretary.

 

The next level in congressional field staffing for our community should involve more Black women and men who put a conservative element into the standard speeches and talks.  The benefit for our state and country could be significant because many young people don’t have role models who “break it down,” “make it plain,” and “keep it real.” 

 

Somebody needs to do it because the election of President Obama makes the age-old arguments and accuses about oppression seem dated and almost moot.   

 

Republicans are often reluctant to hire Black congressional staffers because they think all Blacks are liberals.  If this mentality persists, the GOP will continue to marginalize themselves.  With secondary consideration to party politics, the best future for GOP Black outreach will be based on conservatism with a practical foundation.  Michael Steele wants to take the GOP in that direction or to add that aspect to their mission; the grassroots in the GOP might reject his efforts.

 

Congressional Black field staffers in both major parties can and have served as bridges into our communities for elected official in the same way farm-raised White staffers bridged certain groups for Black congressmen with rural areas.  Finally, I am proud to say I worked for three Georgia members of congress who actually had staffers in D.C. and Georgia who came from the other party.  Constituents from the “other party” knew their opinions and views were heard in our “fair and balanced” policy debates in our Democrat offices—the same can’t be said about most southern Republican offices when I was a staffer.

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Gregg out at Commerce. Visack to Commerce and Bishop to Ag

Posted in politics, tagged on February 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday.

See, I keep trying to tell everyone: Visack to Commerce and Bishop to Ag. President Obama is breaking his neck to love on the GOP and they are not feeling it right now.  Give the South that love.

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Calm, Calm, Calm…Calm, Calm Iran

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged on February 11, 2009| 1 Comment »

We must remember everyday that we have troops in harm’s way in two volatile theaters of operation.  A debt of gratitude can’t begin to express what we owe them and they are serving in places and conditions that we can only imagine.  Think about it: in the last century, our troopers fought bloody battles in Europe, the South Pacific and parts of southeast Asia.  While war is never easy, at least there was French wine, Irish lasses, sunny beaches, exotic rainforests, local bars and shipped in American brew. 

 

With Iraq and Afghanistan being faith-based governments, the chilling and partying of past U.S. soldiers isn’t happening and forget about a local sweetheart.  Afghanistan is one of the worst regions for war in the world and Iraq is an unfriendly dessert—-did I mention most soldiers can’t usually have a cold one at the end of the day.

 

The average American wants to focus on fixing America but we know that the War on Terror continues.  To some people, the only matters important in the Middle East are Israel’s right to safely exist, keeping nuclear weapons from certain nations and buying oil.  The “helping the people” or nation-building point might be a façade.

 

American foreign policy for decades centered on the cowboy mentality that we will do what we want and you will like it.  President Obama’s personal history uniquely qualifies him to lead our nation now because he was raised with an appreciation of different cultures, faiths and people.  If you watch the History Channel or remember what was taught in junior high, Iran and Iraq have rich and impressive histories; we are talking about the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Babylon.  But, we know that there are people to this day who still don’t believe the Egyptians build the pyramids when they did without European assistance or that the Moors controlled southern Spain for all those years. 

 

Respect is the key.  If we cut back on being global bullies and acknowledge that not everything great in history happened in Europe, these developing nations might stop viewing us Goliath to their David.  We could also consider that C, D and E of history follows the actions of A and B.  For example, Native Americans current conditions and attitudes (D and E) are based on losing the homeland and culture (A, B, C).  In other words, some people have a real reason to be upset with past American actions—actions by the government or by American corporate interest.  When PBS or the History Channel does a comprehensive program on Iran, it is clear that our oil companies got our government to help put the greedy Shan of Iran in power for oil reasons (and to put military bases in the region.) 

 

The Shan stayed paid Royce Rolls-style while his people starved.  When the religious fundamentalists took over and stormed the U.S. embassy, I was upset and chanting “Bomb Iran” with my classmates.  Diplomatic stations should always be respected but overall the hungry people had a right to dislike America.  They could have disliked the corporations and governmental leaders that assisted in the economic exploitation of their oil-rich region but the average American had no “beef” with them.  Wait a minute; we drove around in big gas-guzzling cars. 

 

The United States is a superpower and we don’t little nations who don’t listen to what we are telling them for their own good.  It is my understanding that the average person in Iran does not hate America like Iranian President Ahmadinejad.  President Obama, Secretary Clinton and the new foreign affairs team are smooth as smooth can be.  Iran needs to calm down and understand that we know we played them like punks in the past but the current administration respects their history and their developing role in the world community.  But, understand this: you won’t get nuclear weapons while pretending to develop energy resources and if you foster terrorist groups hell-bent on harming us, you will meet you ancestors real soon.

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The Campaign Industry and Willacoochee, Georgia

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on February 9, 2009| 1 Comment »

The campaign system is driven by the “campaign industry” –those professionals more interested in finding candidates who can afford their services rather than candidates who want to change how Washington works.  It’s that revolving door President Obama describes where friends bounce between the administration, the congresss, lobbying firms and campaign/consulting firms.   The situation is just another example of what the jam band Cameo termed “Talking out the side of your neck.”

 

If you are a Black voter in Willacoochee, Georgia, your two senators and one congressman are Republicans.  While you might prefer Democrats in those positions, you should consider developing a functional relationship with those officials—like Republican voters in Blue Dog Democrats’ districts.  And, if you know a Democrat won’t win a seat anytime soon, consider supporting the GOP candidate who has the most reasonable approach and sincerely attempts to connect with our community.  For the record, Willacoochee is in Congressman Jack Kingston district and Jack has a reputation of listening to everyone in his district and hires many Black staffers in key positions.

 

The center of the Democrats efforts in Georgia will always be voter-rich liberal Atlanta.  But, Black economic interest outside Atlanta is more conservative, supportive of the military and supportive of agriculture.  Those campaign industry professionals won’t tell GOP candidates that because they don’t know the South.  If Black Georgia is not moderate to somewhat conservative, why do Congressmen Marshall, Barrow, Bishop and Scott enjoy great success in the Black community? 

 

Bottomline: GOP candidates from moderate districts should be moderates on some level or their campaigns are a waste of time, energy and resources.  Let’s stack the deck with good Democrat candidates and not so bad GOP candidates. 

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New Campaign Finance

Posted in politics, tagged , , on February 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »

What should we learn from the money part of the 2008 elections as we prepare for the 2010 mid-year elections?  Obama, love him or hate him, revolutionized the process by getting much money from little donors (little meaning small amounts not short people.)  When people give you money to run a campaign, they will be the first once at your office with a wish list.  Sometimes the items on the list are in the best interest of most Americans, other times the items serve the agenda of a few.

 

During the 2008 elections, I grew weary of the campaign ads blitz with a quickness.  The same short on substance ads over and over and over again had me watching T.V. with my finger on the remote control.  And I knew that someone did a whole lot of fundraising to finance those ads.  Are the members of congress spending time studying the federal government and proposed legislation or looking for dollars.

 

I want to mention great southern gentleman congressmen who often ate breakfast in the Rayburn House Office Building cafeteria (oatmeal with raisins) rather than the member’s dining hall—maybe he was avoiding his begging colleagues because he was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.  Congressman William Natcher had the respect of staffers because he never missed votes, did not take campaign contributions and funded his campaigns himself from 1953 to 1994.  

natcher

 

Of course, Natcher brought that pork to Kentucky and had votes that most southerners made back in the day but he should be an example for current candidates who really wants to run and win differently.  New Media gives candidates the opportunity to connect with voters without bombarding them with the same expensive ads. (What about five-minute campaign web videos on the top 10 issues and posting video from a dozen debates and forums?)  Smarter voters are starting to realize the “real” candidates cannot enter the arena without the lofty cash the system demands. 

 

If a candidate was smart and innovative, he/she could run for congress with a relatively small amount of money and label the other candidates as “bought and paid for” by national special interests.  The special interest money in the innovative campaign should be posted on the web and directly related to the state’s economy.  The people might appreciate a Natcher-type official over a money-hungry politician.   President Clinton’s remarks when Chairman Hatcher passed said it best:

 

 

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=49891

 William J. Clinton

Statement on the Death of Representative William H. Natcher

March 30, 1994
Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Congressman William Natcher. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and staff for their great loss. For the past 40 years, Bill Natcher has served the people of Kentucky’s Second District with distinction and uncommon dedication. Earlier this month, I visited Bill Natcher at Bethesda Naval Hospital where I presented the Presidential Citizens’ Medal to him. The citation for that medal offers a fitting remembrance of Congressman Natcher’s career: “Few legislators in our history have honored their responsibilities with greater fealty or shunned the temptations of power with greater certainty than William Huston Natcher.”

Bill Natcher governed and campaigned the hard way. He never missed a rollcall vote or a quorum call in the House for 40 years. He never took a campaign contribution. He never made a political commercial. He never hired a press secretary. He read and answered his own constituent mail. He drove through the small towns and farms of central Kentucky visiting the people he represented at county courthouses and general stores. He paid his campaign expenses out of his own pocket and never had to spend much money. In an era of sound-bites and high-tech media campaigns, Bill Natcher was a rarity.

Some may think that Bill Natcher’s death marks the end of an era in politics. I hope not. I hope that Congressman Natcher’s devotion to public service serves as an inspiration to the young men and women of America for as long as his voting record stands. Bill Natcher once said he wanted his tombstone to read, “He tried to do it right.” Let us all carry those words forward in his honor and memory.

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Blue Dogs vs Obama supporters

Posted in politics on February 5, 2009| Leave a Comment »

The Blue Dogs have crazy power this congress; they can tip the balance either way on key votes.  These moderate Democrats will say they need conservative voters’ support to win elections but they better recognize that the bulk of their votes come from average Democrats—many African Americans.

 

Herman Cain wrote a book about “they think you are crazy” and he was correct.  The Blue Dogs know that most Democrats vote for them because they have a “D” on their jersey—without deep analysis of their voting records.  Secondly, Blue Dogs generally have a positive record in their home areas from good work in a previous position.  At some point, that past goodwill wears out.

 

Enter the Obama supporters.  Many Obama supporters (OS) are not loyal Democrats but loyal to the inspirational mission and effort of the new President.  Why do you think they kept all that email and cellphone information.  If and when a Blue Dogs goes against the administration, the call goes out to the OS in that district—bypassing Pelosi and Reid on the Hill.

 

In 2010, Blue Dogs who supported Bush for years and gave Obama a rough time might find themselves with a junior Obama as a primary candidate.  That battle would force a Blue Dog to openly side with the Democrat Team; then, Michael Steele rolls out a new GOP hybrid—conservative but somewhat moderate; designed with Palin and Obama in mind.

 

Please, please, please, let me help pick the next GOP congressional candidates in Georgia contested races.  (Here’s a hint: start with the Young Republicans.)  If Steele produces a few Republicans who will respectfully work to improve Obama programs by pointing our concerns, these candidates could do great numbers with the African American community in 2010. 

 

Yestersday, President Obama signed the SCHIP bill into law.  Blue Dog Rep. John Barrow of Georgia was at the signing while Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon voted against the bill again. 

 

Listen to this sage and free advise, the GOP candidate against Marshall should be a Chamber of Commerce type, pro-business moderate from Macon—White or Black—who has a much past goodwill as Marshall.   

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Mindless Crime

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on February 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »

The sun came up in the east in Sylvester, Georgia, today.  It rose over an old pecan grove and the tranquility of the morning was broken by news that two area 80 year old women were beaten and robbed in separate incidents by males who look like me and the two seniors.

 

I can hear the accuses already, “I was just trying to provide for my family because the man is holding me down.”  Sylvester, which has a Black police chief, is in a state with a Black Attorney General.  The state is in a country with a Black Attorney General who was appointed by a Black President.  I guess I should add that a Black Georgian sits on the highest court in the land.

 

If the man is trying to hold criminals of any hue down, let’s hope criminals stand up—cuffed and ready for transport.

 

While working as a congressional staffer in D.C., my boss wanted me to give up my Million Man March VIP pass so he could give it to his dear colleague then Rep. Harold Ford, Sr. who had several sons and one was being groomed to replace him in congress.  Those “grassroot” Black congresspeople are often a snooty bunch of elitist who function like royalty and expect the masses to kiss their rings.  Okay, I sound like sour grapes because I never quite fit into their snobbish circles and Rep. Ford, Jr. because a sound young congressman.

 

At the MMM, Mrs. Rosa Parks was speaking and I asked the guy next to me what would happen if Mrs. Parks acknowledged with love and forgiveness the attendance of the knucklehead who broke into her house and roughed her up.   Dude and I agreed that he would have two million feet in his behind—from my Rockports to Ice Cube’s Converse All-Stars. 

 

So the righteous among us would quote Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it s written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.

 

But since we were right there, let us get this one for you, saith “Folks done with mindless crime.” 

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Michael Steele and Esssence

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on January 31, 2009| 3 Comments »

steele4501

http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/news/articles/michael_steele_gop_chairman

 

There’s an article from Essence magazine regarding the Michael Steele selection.  May I just say, that Essence should be in every Black home in America.  I have been reading Essence since junior high: you learn about quality women from quality women and maybe one day you might have that type woman around you. 

 

I am calling someone out: the Sylvester/Worth County, Georgia Public Library.  A few years ago, I asking the staff why they had hair and fashion magazines but no Essence.  Logically, they said get it for them. 

 

So, I used frequent flyer miles and got them a few years.  Some people don’t know that you can give magazines for miles for multiple years and different addresses.  Giving Essence and Black Enterprise to teens in your family would serve them better in the long run than the junk they think they want.

 

While I am ranting, reading Essence and another “Black” publications would be useful for anyone in an area (the whole South) with a sizable Black population..i.e. School teachers and coaches. 

 

Reading across cultures will help build knowledge and insight.  Some people are so closed minded that they did not realize African Americans of presidential timber existed until recently—know the actors in the arena or don’t get caught sleeping like General Cluster. 

 

I study everyone and read everything.  And the older people are so willing to share.  Once on a flight to Honduras, this White vet schooled me on the real World War II, deep-sea fishing and Kansas agriculture.  Thanks for share.    

 

Again I say, Project Logic GA is about the Black political and policy experience in the South; which means that readers (all ten of them) should be Black and non-Black. 

 

Like the Indian guy in every South Georgia town who sells purple or red suits to the brothers. (The only men who should have red suits are Santa Claus, Kappas, and maybe UGA coaches.)  Anyway, that guy does not wear those ugly clothes but he knows his target market from listening and watching.

 

Michael Steele should model his actions after DNC Chair Howard Dean.  Steele should spend some time working on the product rather than intensifying the sales pitch.   

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Michael Steele: GOP leader

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on January 30, 2009| 2 Comments »

I must say the Republicans surprised me when they selected Michael Steele as RNC Chairman.  So, Mike Tyson’s former brother-in-law heads the GOP.  I wanted Steele to win that Senate seat a few years ago and wish him well because he has worked with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman to add some moderation and common sense to the “right.” 

 

Her book It’s My Party Too should be the blueprint for Steele but, mark my word, it won’t be.  The South runs the current GOP and the grassroots won’t hear that “we need change” stuff.   Let’s see: Steele runs the RNC, Obama runs the White House, Serena will run the Australian Open finals at 3:30a.m. and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will win the Super Bowl Sunday.

 

Some people might think the only think left is a Black Pope of Rome but I don’t See (get it) that happening.  The time is right for each individual member of our community to be the best individual we can be. 

 

In the book Success Runs in Our Race, George C. Fraser wrote that Blacks are the only group that sought political gains in America before economic gains.  Well, we obviously needed the federal government on our side—with that whole bondage/oppression thing.  Today, we are (on some level) still in bondage and oppression by some of our own actions.

 

Let’s give Brother Steele’s conservative views respectful consideration.  That won’t be hard to do in Georgia where Rep. John Lewis is the only real liberal sent to Congress.  Blue Dogs Scott, Marshall, Barrow and Bishop are only a quick jump across the centerline of the political spectrum from Steele’s senate race position. 

 

The Blue Dogs are running things; Obama supporters must keep them on a firm leash or they might find a home in Steele’s new yard.     

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Austin Scott for Governor?

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on January 28, 2009| 25 Comments »

scott

http://www.tiftongazette.com/local/local_story_027143054.html

 

GOP Georgia State Rep. Austin Scott of Tifton is running for Governor.  This news is interesting because Scott is famous for siding with Democrat Governor Roy Barnes to change the Georgia flag.  Without getting into a debate about the Stars and Bars, Scott displayed a heaping amount of intestinal fortitude for his history of bridge-building rather than traditional rural rock throwing.

 

In the Tifton Gazette article, Scott outlined an innovative fundraising plan to raise $100 from 100 people in each of Georgia’s 159 counties—the people in a dozen counties can’t afford to pay attention, so good luck there.  But, the plan sounds somewhat Obama-like and I have been writing that the GOP needs to shake things up with some young blood and fresh ideas.

 

To be honest, I wish Scott would challenge Rep. Jim Marshall for his congressional seat because Obama needs constructive conservatives in D.C. and I am still ticked-off that Marshall was never in candidate Obama’s corner.  What should the Black community do if we realize that the Democrat candidates for governor cannot win in this Red State (like no Dem will beat Senator Isakson, so save your campaign money and consider it a stimulus check from me.)

 

The logical action would be focusing on the GOP primary—where the governor will be selected- and supporting the most appealing candidate.  But, then again, that would be too much like right. 

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Job Cuts and Personal Responsibility

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on January 26, 2009| 9 Comments »

Last night, 60 Minutes left me stunned with stories about a possible Israeli-Palestinian Apartheid state and a future pill that will slow the aging process.  But, the story that really hit hard detailed huge job cuts with DHL in Wilmington, Ohio; thousands of jobs gone from a small hardworking town.  I wake up to the news that Atlanta-based Home Depot is cutting 7,000 jobs, Caterpillar eliminates 20,000 jobs, Sprint/Nextel cuts 8,000 and John Deere is cutting 700 jobs.  Of course, South Georgia recently took a hit with closing of the Cooper Tire plant in Albany.

 

The mayor of Wilmington outlined the rippling consequences by pointing out that the local hospital functions with funds from the DHL employees’ health insurance coverage.  When those people start seeking indigent care, the double impact of revenue loss and free care increase will killed the hospital. 

 

When the America dream turns into a nightmare, it is rough to witness.  Back when we were in high school, Billy Joel’s “Allentown” served as a wakeup call with lines like, “For the promises our teachers made—if we worked hard, if we behaved.  Now are graduations hang on the wall, but they never really helped us at all.”

 

Each family needs a comprehensive “Economic Recovery Plan” that focuses on sound decisions, cutting waste and supportive actions.  What I really want to say to the teens in Georgia working families is don’t bring new drama into the household.  If your parents were on their feet in steel-toed shoes for years to provide for the family, don’t come home grinning about a pregnancy or call from police station—be strong for yours and reduce their burden.

 

Southerners are resilient by nature and conservatives should prepare to say “amen” when President Obama starts appealing to every American to consider “personal responsibility” during these hard economic times.  Former Morehouse College President Dr. Benjamin E. Mays once called a cut-up student into his office to inform the young man that he would be on the next bus home.  Dr. Mays basically said that we as a people had come from so far yet had some much farther to go…we could not afford to have he holding us back. 

 

In our community, we spend much energy and capital correcting and addressing the actions of certain members of the family.  Can you prune rotten branches from the family tree?  Tell you what: first deference should be toward hardworking people experiencing a rough patch due to job cuts and not…(I better stop right here).

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Matt Towery to GOP: Shut up and Lead

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on January 24, 2009| 2 Comments »

Former Republican legislator, now columnist Matt Towery had something to say to his party in my local newspaper today—good stuff and real.   

http://townhall.com/columnists/MattTowery/2009/01/23/shut_up_and_lead?page=full

I’m already weary of members of the Republican Party and other conservatives doing little else but throwing rocks at the new Obama administration. And that’s coming from someone who helped build the party before many of today’s pundits were learning to speak.

Barack Obama is president. Get over it, and start coming up with new ideas and counter-ideas of your own, instead of making hateful or smart-alecky remarks just to sell books or attract attention.

Take Joe Lowery as a subject of right-wing grievance. (I’ve known him for years, and he has actually helped Republican candidates on many occasions.) As part of the inauguration’s benediction, Lowery recited an out-of-date and out-of-step little ditty from the civil rights days. Part of it dismissed whites as morally lacking.

So what? He’s in his late 80s and isn’t representative of anything but the past.

And the fact that President Obama had to retake the oath of office because the Chief Justice messed it up is interesting, but only that. It doesn’t stand up to a claim that the Obama presidency is somehow illegitimate.

Listen up, Republicans and conservatives: Your party and your movement only rise when they produce new ideas. Ronald Reagan did it in 1980 with his approaches to things like taxation and fighting the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

And the Republicans who took over Congress in 1994 did so by unveiling a specific litany of government reforms.

By way of practicing what I preach — however navely or haltingly — allow me to outline the rudiments of a free-market approach to start getting us out of this economic slough we are in. This idea might at least help make a dent in the bailing out of our financial institutions without simply throwing good money after bad.

Start with a simple premise: We know that beautiful foreclosed homes in places like, say, Florida have subsequently been marked down in value (and by using an idiotic accounting method, but never mind).

Knowing that someday their full values will return, wouldn’t you love to be able to buy some of those homes at dirt-cheap prices, and simply wait for their values to return or even appreciate? Ditto for strip malls, office complexes, hotels, and on and on.

The obvious problem, of course, is that most people in America don’t have the resources to afford big bargains during this down time.

But now ask yourself this: Would you rather invest in a big-name company that could see its value plummet, or in a collection of assets that have reached rock bottom, but were once quite valuable?

Clear and simple, there’d be little downside and much potential in waiting for the windfall of these assets to return to value.

And now my idea: Why should these billions of dollars of allegedly bad loans, tied to greatly diminished assets held by financial institutions, be purchased by our tax money rather than by a public eager to someday reap potential financial rewards?

In most past recessions, the bounceback on assets — often long-delayed — can be in the double-digit percentiles. Would you not buy a “share of stock” in the “corporation” holding these assets? Maybe 100 shares? Perhaps many more if there was liquidity to spare?

I sure would, and in part because, just like during World War II with war bonds, I would be investing in helping to fund a fight that is critical to our nation’s survival.

Equally important, I realize that I’m going to fund it anyway, if only through tax payments that I will never see again.

I think I’d rather pitch in for Uncle Sam by having the opportunity to see the “corporation” holding these assets gain substantial value in future years.

This proposal probably has a million holes in it. Readers, feel free to help me find them.

But let’s at least get a dialogue going. Throwing rocks at a president with a 70 percent approval rating won’t get America’s entrepreneurial engines running again. Let’s leave the venom to those who make their living milking it from their own fangs.

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Gillibrand New Day

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , on January 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Watch out now: Clinton’s Senate seat goes to Blue Dog Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand rather a Kennedy.  My political philosophy is that the major party that opens up to the center/moderates will win and govern.  At this point, it is unclear if the Blue Dogs types will flirt with the conservatives or back the Dem Team; this group can tip the scales and has serious power.  If the GOP doesn’t secure more moderates and the Blue Dog movement grows in the South, the road back might be really long.

 

I did notice that Senator Saxby Chambliss refers to the “liberal Democrats” during this recent campaign.  Was he deliberately implying that there are “non-liberal Democrats” (i.e. Blue Dogs) with whom conservatives could and should work?  The GOP members are big on loyalty and blood oaths, “I agree with the Grand Old Party 100%.”  To win in the future, they need more centrist Democrats support rather than card-carrying new GOP recruits. 

 

Obama 2012 is already salivating over bigger numbers in the West and Midwest and the Blue Dogs might help by pulling the Democrat agenda closer to the center.  Pretty soon, the South might get bluer. 

 

Get the popcorn; this is going to be good.

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Georgia Congressional Races: Find and Hone Your Voice

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on January 21, 2009| 4 Comments »

Former Georgia 12th congressional district candidate John Stone recently announced that he is taking a position back in Washington and will not be a candidate for that seat in 2010.  His decision is a good idea because that district (and the 2nd and 8th) is for a moderate GOP candidate—those don’t exist…yet.  The correct GOP candidate for these three districts would be a Republican version of the Democrat’s Blue Dogs—someone ideologically near center.

 

If Democrat voters have learn to live with Bishop, Marshall, Scott and Barrow being near center, then Republicans need to do the same with certain candidates in certain races.  But, arrogance prevails and they want all GOP candidates to be far right 100% of the time—you can’t win like that.  Secondly, arrogance is present when any party or group won’t honestly admit when their team could have done things better.  I give John Stone credit for truthfully analysis policy problems from the right and left during his congressional campaign.  Stone must have realized that winning that seat would have required him becoming a political chameleon and in his heart that was something he could not do.

 

During the Obama inauguration, my mind went to his battle with Senator Hilary Clinton.  Basically, Clinton and Obama helped define yet other like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. I don’t think voters would have consider him “tested” enough without that challenge from Clinton and later McCain.

 

Potential Georgia congressional candidates should spent 2010 listening to the people and finding their voice.  Of course, hopefuls might learn that there are not right for the race in their area.  A candidacy could be positioning for future races after redistricting. (It is hard to explain that to your spouse.)

 

In the 2nd congressional district, we were caught off guard by the possibility of Congressman Sanford Bishop leaving for the U.S.D.A.  Who is the 2nd district heir apparent?  Could we grow an Albany-Valdosta area person to replace Bishop when President Obama makes him a cabinet member in the future?  Tifton, Albany and Valdosta should be in one congressional district and Bishop deserves to have a Columbus-based district.  Yes, Congressman Westmoreland is right about modifying the Voting Rights Act because (to me) Moultrie and Covington have no business in the same district and the same is true for Columbus and Valdosta. 

 

http://westmoreland.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=2029

 

Competitive contests keep incumbents on their toes and groom the next generation of leaders.  The Albany Herald newspaper reports that the GOP 2nd District Convention will be April 18 and the GOP State Convention will start on May 15.  By mid-April, moderate GOP contenders for Scott, Bishop, Barrow and Marshall emerge should—think Obama, Palin types.  These candidates might not win in 2010 but the redistricting committee will have something to consider.

 

Moderate GOP candidates in heavy African American districts should be reasonable conservatives who will sit at the table with the new administration and push conservative elements into the new agenda.  (Like Newt improving the Clinton agenda on budget and welfare reform.)

 

This morning former GOP congressman Joe Scarborough (currently of MSNBC) told Congressman Artur Davis that many congressional Democrats also endorsed the Bush policies.  This great point opens the door for critical analysis of the rubberstamping Democrats by new-style GOP and Dem candidates.  “President Obama is rebuilding from Democrat miscues also.”

 

Oh boy, President Obama is about to open up with both barrels regarding personal responsibility and “ask not what this country can do for you..”  Is that from JFK or Newt?  So, the next logical question is why didn’t the Democrats start this discussion in the past.  In fairness, Bishop and the Blue Dogs have tried on some level, but Havard Law grad Rep. Artur Davis of Alabama is one of the leaders of the new school with Obama.  Where does that leave the old school?

 

Political diversity for our community is an objective of this blog and we believe a smiling, positive conservative with a rich civic resume could move the GOP forward and received new support from across the racial and political spectrum.   Steal a play from the Dems playbook; stop living in the past.  To me, getting positive southern Republicans is what’s next for the South.

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Barrack Obama Inauguration: Your Thoughts

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on January 19, 2009| 4 Comments »

 

obamadance 

It is just plain exceptional that we are about of have a wonderful young man who looks like me become president of the United States, leader of the free world and commander-in-chief of the most powerful military force ever. 

 

When I was six years old, I could read books in the public library but was not allow to check them out.   As they said at the MLK Program at my church this morning, he brought us from a mighty long way.  (He being God for my heathen friends—right- sin, cast, stone.)

 

The roughest part of the swearing for me will be thinking about people like my daddy who did not live quite long to see this historic event.  My daddy was always so proud when a Black person won on Wheel of Fortune since he had a preoccupation with moving African Americans forward.  He also obsessed on “guiltying” negative people of color into changing for the good of the nation and race. 

 

Congratulations America for climbing this hill and best wishes on the next one, and the one after that.

 

Mr. President, you surely have my support.  

 Great Pictures

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/01/21/inauguration-day-in-dc/

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Obama and Georgia Congressional Candidates

Posted in politics, tagged , , on January 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

obama-bush

 

Repeatedly, I have written that Barrack Obama as president would be something completely new. GOP candidates have an opportunity to be different, better conservatives than the combative elephants of recent campaigns. John Heilemann wrote an article in the New York Times titled “The New Politics: Barack Obama, Party of One.”  I swear this guy must be bugging my phone because I have been saying that Obama is beholden to the average person who gave him money (like my $10) rather than the traditional Democrat funding sources alone.

 

The President-Elect had the Blue Dogs, the Congressional Black Caucus and other groups uncertain about supporting him because they did not control him and he wasn’t in Washington long enough to earn his Dem “bones” Soprano style.  John Edwards and Hillary Clinton were fellow veterans from earlier battles. 

 

The definition of pragmatic is “concerned with causes and effects or with needs and results rather than ideas or theories.”  Obama the Pragmatic is about the business of fixing America rather fighting party battles and I was begging Black southerners to support reasonable Republicans who wanted to help in the same way reasonable members of our party became the “Reagan Democrats.”

 

Change stinks for those who might be on the outs.  But listen to this: the agents of change are turning their noses up to a range of Washington insiders who did not resist our nation’s slow slide into our current situation—Red and Blue rubberstampers are equally nervous. 

 

Governor Palin might be right about bloggers getting off on creating confusion and mess. So, I want to help the change effort in my own little way by continuing to push  the Black community toward helping better Republicans.

 

If you live in an area where your two senators, congressman and governor are Republicans, you should know that the real action might be in the primary election.  The logical act for you would be supporting a more reasonable GOP candidate; someone who will work to add conservative elements to the Obama agenda rather than hoping the new president fails. 

 

In Georgia, I think Senator Isakson’s reelection is a given and I personally like the guy.  If someone wants to be a GOP congressional candidate in 2010 in a district with a sizable African American population, he can do himself a favor by getting to know the Black community now—two years of connecting and networking is better than a zillion 30 seconds ads. 

 

The Obama White House won’t be perfect but those GOP incumbents who regularly criticize in a ugly and vile manner should find themselves facing a primary opponent with the support of  Obama backers from both parties.

 

Finally, we should not forget the Democrats like some Blue Dogs who rode Obama’s coattails when it was convenient but might be AWOL when it is convenient.  We are watching you like a hawk.

 

Five months ago I knew that I would be writing “help the new president help the nation” five days before the inauguration.  I did know whom the voters would select as the new president but I knew I am such a good American that I would respect and support the direction that was chosen.    

 

Presidents are public servants—not monarchs or rulers- and this young leader will need us to me the best us we can be.  It is the right thing to do.  During the next two years, keep an eye on the demeanor and conduct of the loyal opposition.  For southerners, the GOP core principles are sound but techniques of the far right can get questionable at times.  Be genteel and good people will remember your approach in 2010—you might just get a cool pass. 

 

 

 

Why Barack Obama Is a Political Party of One – The All New Issue — New York Magazine

 

http://nymag.com/news/features/all-new/53380/

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The Next Obama: Tim Tebow, Maya Moore and Myron Rolle

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2009| 9 Comments »


The Florida Gators won the national college football championship—again.  Go Gainesville Gators, Go.  That Tim Tebow is one outstanding young man; his parents did a fine job raising him but some of that is genetics – which they provided also. Congrats to Myron Rolle from the FSU Football Team on his Rhodes Scholarship; putting Cecil’s ill-gotten gains to good use.  Rhodes wanted a secret society to promote British rule around the world; Rolle is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.  Tebow and Rolle might be the next Obama-types. 
 

Also, don’t sleep on Georgian Maya Moore who plays basketeball with Uconn and graduated from Atlanta’s Collins Hills High School with a 4.0 GPA. 
 

Tebow, a service-minded Christian athlete, was homeschooled by smart people; which leads to the fact that not everybody who homeschools will product a brainy Heisman Trophy winner.  So, if you are not smart enough to homeschool your kids past a certain grade level, you might not be smart enough to know it.  Some kids need to be at school and/or church for socialization purposes.  Yes, many school systems have uncontrollable little monsters who are exposed to heaven-knows-what at home and the teachers can’t stop them from “sharing” in the halls and cafeterias.
 
I think Georgia now has an innovative program for children to learn via the internet.  Can you image a cul-de-sac with six or seven homes where all the parents are bright and they create their own little school in a pool house or garage.  Parents who telecommute can swing by for a few classes and the banker can come home to teach economics during her lunch hour.  And mom can bake ginger bread cookies and vacuum in heels while wearing pearls.  
 
I am sure what the answers are with education options but some dramatic changes are needed because Little Johnny who does not learn might eventually be Jo-Dog, master of the cellblock for 15 to 20 years.  Georgia spends 1.2 Billion dollars on the state’s prison system—which does not include caring for the families of some inmates.  The education system is like that old oil filter ad, “You can pay me now or you can pay me later.”
 
It all comes down to parenting and home training and President Obama will likely say what many reasonable people are thinking, “Some folks need children like a fish needs a bicycle.”

 
When Soon-to-be Speaker Newt Gingrich considering provisions for his agenda, he publicly discussed giving 21 year olds $5000 if he graduated from high school, had no out of wedlock kids and no criminal activity.  Those who say you can’t legislate morality never met Newt.  Hey, that plan is cheaper than lock’em up.

UPDATE: The list grows; Stephen Curry with Davidson College is another good kid. Like Grant Hill was back in the day.

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Understanding Southern Subcultures: Football

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

strong_5

We learned this week that college football head coach Turner Gill of Buffalo and University of Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong feel they were passed up for other coaching positions because they have white wives.  I briefly attend UF during graduate school but decided that a Black college was the better place for me to study the specific subject matter of my field; the same reason I did not attend UGA for my last two years of undergrad. 

 

Sometimes, you want to be surrounded by people who are like-minded and yes UGA actually had more Black students than my HCBU but it did not feel right for me personally.  I think coach Gill’s and coach Strong’s wives are factors in the top level college coaching searches in the South but I think the bigger factor is that SEC and ACC head coaches are not just ball coaches. 

 

They are heads of subcultures (Bulldog Nation, Gator Nation, War Eagles, the Tide) that resonate in most aspects of southern life for professionals—marriage, friendship, business, and culture.  We use to say at Florida that we had culture and UGA had agriculture but seriously, the events surrounding gameday and the local alumni chapters would be similar to the African-American professional community in the south being involved with fraternities and sororities until death. 

 

A good-looking SEC football head coach travels the South to visit alumni chapters and encourage financial support for the university—some flirting necessary. While it might be a violation of EEOC regulations, coaches had better be tall and strong like Bear Bryant; smooth and cool like Richt, Dooley and Spurrier; or one helleva winner.   Fans and supporters make million dollar connections at team events.  SEC fans in there early 20s meet their spouses while watching the game at thousands of bars and clubs across the nation.  Ivy league southern politicians like Congressman Jim Marshall from Princeton actually are second-class socially to UGA and Tech grads. 

 

Black football players should feel comfortable at state schools because every citizen of the state technical owns these universities.  Gladiators of the gridiron bring glory and revenue to schools that sometime treat other Black students as guest or exchange students.  Mississippi State gave Sylvester Croom an opportunity that the University of Alabama should have given him (he played for Bear Bryant) but I was never confident that grumpy Croom would be fully accepted by the magnolia mansion crowd if he did not win the SEC champion soon. 

 

Those coaches are similar to congressmen and real dudes get weary of back-patting, picture-taking and half-smiling—it’s not just Xs and Os.

 

If certain SEC and ACC schools won’t give head coaching opportunities to Black coaches, then Miami’s Black coach can get the best Black talent (like Notre Dame gets the best Catholic talent) and win national champions.  To be fair, Black players can have a great experience with great White coaches like UF’s Urban Myers and USC Pete Carroll.  60 Minutes did a recent story about Carroll’s involvement with inner city Los Angeles gangs—he goes places I would never take my Black behind.    

 

The modern plantation system known as southern college and high school football needs change.  At Worth County High School (my HS) in Sylvester, Georgia, Robert Toomer broke Herschel Walker’s rushing records (7,866 yards) before going to LSU.  But, he can’t get the WCHS head-coaching job for some reason.  On one side of the railroad tracks in this small southern town, an infant boy gets a red and black football put in his hands shortly after birth in hopes that he will play for the bulldogs one day—most never do.  On the other side of tracks, infant boys wear Nike basketball shoes despite the fact they can’t walk, in hopes they will play in the NBA—most never do.

 

Football coach lead players who will hopeful be  prepared for life.  The sweet part of the deal is that young Black football players in the SEC and ACC who form life-long business connections with their teammates, classmates and “the Nation” will benefit more than those who have short-lived, inquiry-plagued NFL careers.  If someone is trying to use you, use them for education and networking: a situation of mutual benefit.  Bulldog Nation did not trip when Herschel Walker was winning games for them and dating the woman (who doesn’t look like him) who later because his wife.  Evidently, they really wanted to win championships but that punches holes in coach Gill’s and coach Strong’s white wife argument. 

 

As for me, my bank account would be nicer if I gained entrance into the Bulldog Nation or fully membership in Gator Nation.  Funny thing: I appreciate the opportunity UF gave me and yes, some Black folks are screwed over at Black colleges.  

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Understanding Southern Subcultures: Political Parties

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on January 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Once and for all: the affection and connections that Republicans have for the GOP is not the same feelings most Democrats have for the DNC.  It just isn’t.  Other than teachers and union members, people who voted for Democrats in the South (outside of urban areas) are not diehard party faithfuls.  The GOP subculture is deeper because it is based on implementing the principles of their faith into governmental action for social and moral improvement.  

 

Of course, I am not “going down that road” or “touching that with a ten foot pole” but I will say that if Americans lived the way good people should, our nation would be better.  The delicate matter is that government in our system can’t force people to live “right.”  Maybe we need a constitutional amendment on “acting like you have the good sense the good Lord gave a cat.”

 

For many southerners, the GOP is more than a political party.  Like the Bulldog Nation and Gator Nation, the GOP is a subculture of like-minded people who do business together, attend church together, and often date and marry.  It’s a comprehensive way of life.  Did you see the eyes of the people at the RNC Convention—that is not just enthusiasm.  We are taking about a good vs. evil battle fervor.  Of course, we Democrats must be the anti-Christ or something.   (Actually, the DNC convention was a little like that also; but that was about one outstanding dude rather than a party. A smooth GOP moderate move could be “Obama is exceptional but the jury is still out on the rest of them.) 

 

Why are my GOP friends telling me they are surprised President-elect Obama doesn’t hate them.  Newsflash: Barrack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are not “hating all the time” kind of people and if your moral compass did not pickup on that fact something is wrong with you.

 

If I had to call it, I would say that someone is catching negative vibes from talk radio and talk T.V.—on the far right and far left.  Bottom line: if you take the time to interact with a variety of people, you might learn that your subculture and my subculture both want a better America—keep you filters on because negative cats (haters) will always pit groups against each others because that is what haters do. 

 

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