Milwaukee Juneteenth Riot
I posted earlier this month that this was on the way. The title was,"Why Can't We Live Together?" and the inevitable release of violence and frustration of a new generation. This is just the tip of the iceberg. It's not about Milwaukee..It's about America!! We either deal with the conditions and impressions that create a culture of violence or we all will suffer the consequences as a community. Not an excuse but rather a reality.
Here is the Juneteenth riot of today and the LA riot from over fifteen years ago that I posted here earlier this month. Ron Paul supporters... How would your candidate becoming President affect the conditions that lead to these violent expressions of hopelessness and abandonment?
35 comments:
This is so sad that we haven't learned anything from the L.A. riots in '92.
Have they said why these kids were so upset to do such a horrible thing? And when did this take place? Was it this week?
I usually try my best to keep caught up with what is going on in the news, but somehow I missed this one.
Hello MC Hammer,
Any day now, I'm expecting the rocks to cry out because of what has become a "crying shame."
As you know, when people lose hope, there are not only a threat to themselves, but also to the society in which they live.
Our government is failing. Our public school systems are failing. Our culture is failing. Our leaders are failing. Our churches are failing. Our marriages are failing.
Only God knows what will happen next if our generation keeps repeating the same self-defeating cycle of self-destruction that destroyed the last generation.
As you stated, "We need to pray just to make it today." After we finish praying, the children keep asking the same question, "What's the next step?"
Peace be with you.
Manchild
Well, JESUS will be here pretty soon so until then we need to do our part in keeping our community and the world out of trouble. Yah, we do have to pray alot too.
-Dcaf
This happened a couple of days ago.
As we are moving towards electing a new President... I am looking to put together ten questions that speak to the reality of life today that will directly affect innercity life, college students, ex offender re-entry... creating job oppurtunities...housing,the homeless and American Soldiers on welfare (Military pay) and health care. Feel free to add to the list.
Hi, Hammer. Great to see you talking about this stuff. I can't speak for Ron Paul, but I can theorize about how his principles impact these questions.
If the federal government doesn't honor its committments to the people (by adhering to constitutional limits) then the highest and strongest established powers are undermining the idea of integrity.
If the federal government does not take the slightest amount of financial responsibility for itself, the highest powers are authorizing a view of the *whole world as a money-and-power grab.
Again, I don't want to put words in Dr. Paul's mouth but I suspect he would say several of the things you list are not actually the province of federal or presidential power. If those things are decentralized into communities who define priorities for themselves, people will feel like they have actual *access to their government and can make real changes.
As it stands, it seems like everyone I know assumes that they cannot effect societal conditions outside the walls of their own houses, and that's a shame. And I think the outrageously concentrated power in Washington is partly to blame.
Thanks Hammer for the info, and for all that you continue to do to help our Children!
FYI,
I followed the url VNNForum.com that is superimposed over some of these videos you've been posting and it looks like a white supremacist site.
These riots are an important subject to consider and discuss but I just wanted to make you aware of who is posting the specific videos you've been embedding.
great information and I thank you...I hope to create enuff awareness that there is no video for them or anyone else to use for their agenda.We have to stop killing each other period.
How soon people forget the things God uses to draw our attending to him.
What will have to happen next for God to draw us nearing to him?
MC, please add, better social safety-net provisions, for those whom become disabled, due to injury, disease; which effects their ability to work full-time, or event part time for some; to become self-supporting!!
Currently, the disability program in Canada here is so corrupt, it grants itself kickbacks, by indebting us through debt-servitude, when we don't meet "working" requirements, as per our "ability" and within stringent scrutiny of the disability programs.
My life has been a nightmare--entrapped, disabled; and nobody seems to give a darn... I dread getting much older than I am, b/c it's just too terrifying!!
I cannot fathome, being in the US today, tomorrow or ever; when their mandate is not to protect ALL, from harm, poverty, corruption through debt-servitudes.
Love to All, and All to LOVE!
North
PS->there is an Earth Charter, as well as a full copy of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, already posted on myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/northdesigns
clicking my pic, will take you to my blogspot, above is the place to go.
I posted this at another site on lagging safety/protection on the homefronts of the western wealthy country's...
"We ALL, have spirits of the lion! But, propoganda through corrupt and abandoning governments; have convinced us, that the poor, old, women, children, the suffering and dying; are their lambs. This is a mutant-hybrid of suffering, caused from governmental neglect, breach of trust and promise to provide for ALL. Love, North"
Hammer, Respect.
First off as a Ron Paul supporter, I will take you up on your question about what would Ron Paul do to help "affect the conditions that lead to these violent expressions of hopelessness and abandonment?"
Hers my answer.
You're probably not going to like what I have to say but hear me out.
No one can help the black community because the black community aren't willing to help themselves. I mean, recently there was a rapper that made mention that if his neighbor was a wanted serial killer he wouldn't notify the police just so he could keep his street creds. But then on the other hand the black community cries about the police not doing anything about rampant crime. How can the police help in removing the criminal element within your community when no one is even willing to make a simple call to report a serial killer living next door to them???
How about black children being horrified about doing well in school because being smart is equated to *Gasp!!! God Forbid!!!* being white?
Now you've got to ask yourself these questions to see where im going with this.
How many governmental programs are there to help the black community?
How many years has the government had their hand directly in black families lives?
Have they_really_helped anyone in the black community?
It seems that over the past 40 years of government teet sucking the Black community has lost its ability to be self-reliant.
Im not saying ALL Black people are that way because through out my life I have met many many many different kinds of people from all walks of life. Some rich, some poor, mostly working middle class such as myself and my family. But, one thing I have noticed about poor people of all colors, they all depend on the government for everything instead of depending on themselves.
Dr. Paul would probably not be welcomed warmly within the black community because he advocates self-reliance and minimal to none governmental interference in anybody's life.
I personally think that the black community will never change because they dont want to.
The Democrats with their 40 years of government programs have succeeded in doing only one thing, Keeping blacks slaves to the system by rewarding them for staying poor, unmarried, and by keeping them uneducated.
I mean why work hard when you know the government will save you?
Hammer, By any chance have you read Dr. Pauls stances on the issues?
I ain't no US citizen but for years I've been hearing about racial discrimination in the country. I am not appropriate to say who's right or who's wrong. But for me, I know I need to respect myself before I want to be respected. So what rob said has made a point.
But still it's difficult to judge. I mean, whether it should be the government to take the first step to care about the black, or it should be the black to self-respect themselves before asking respect from government? I think both should work hard together.
The rapper Rob mentioned is ridiculous and has set a terrible example for the young kids. Who's this guy? Street Cred ? Maybe he tries to sound 'hard', but I bet he would have scared to death if he knew a serial killer was really living next door.
William T
Rob,
I also agree with Tang you made a good point.
Hammer, you have got to be kidding.
The angry mob killed an innocent man because they lacked hope and felt abandoned? What the hell kind of logic is that?
I guess soccer riots and out of control "celebrations" in the streets are a result of hopelessness, huh?
No. It's just mob mentality.
When racists lynched black people back in the day, were they hopeless? Did they feel abandoned? No, they acted like a mob of animals.
Jesus Christ, Hammer, get your head out of your ass.
I'm sorry. Maybe your readers would be confused if I made a comment about a man being killed. That happened in Austin when another mob attacked a different man on the same day.
You said....
Hammer, Respect.
First off as a Ron Paul supporter, I will take you up on your question about what would Ron Paul do to help "affect the conditions that lead to these violent expressions of hopelessness and abandonment?"
Hers my answer.
You're probably not going to like what I have to say but hear me out.
No one can help the black community because the black community aren't willing to help themselves.
Hammer says....
This statement in and of itself is a slap in the face to every young Black kid in school working hard to become a productive professional citizen, to every Black kid who fights against the poverty and violence that surrounds them but yet pushes on and does the right thing and avoids trouble, violence and the drugs and drug users that prey on them...to every teacher working in the Black community educating and mentoring their students, to all the clergy, ministers and coaches and recreational workers and social workers who have dedicated their lives to the Black community to make a difference.. to every Father and Mother in the Black community that works seven days a week to provide for their families... to the politicians who honestly represent our communities and fight for funding for community driven programs and economic empowerment and development.. We all say to you sir... Your statement is one hundred percent false!!!!
Someone can and will help the Black community and we are currently and will continue to help ourselves!!
It is this kind of un checked rhetoric that is designed to destroy hope and paint false perceptions that become their on reality. Contrary to your misinformation, there are many of us willing to help the Black community and ourselves.
you said....
I mean, recently there was a rapper that made mention that if his neighbor was a wanted serial killer he wouldn't notify the police just so he could keep his street creds.
Hammer says.....
He was representing himself in a hypothetical situation. He did not speak for the entire Black community. A known serial killer in the Black community would be a victim of "Murphy's law", under most circumstances. Street cred was created by those outside the Black community. Inside it's called survival. Rappers street cred only count on entertainment records, not in the real streets. Period.
you said.......
How about black children being horrified about doing well in school because being smart is equated to *Gasp!!! God Forbid!!!* being white?
Hammer says.....
There was a time when that mindset was prevalent but today because so many Rappers are shown to own multiple businesses...smart and money is in.. and color is out..
you said......
Now you've got to ask yourself these questions to see where im going with this.
How many governmental programs are there to help the black community?
How many years has the government had their hand directly in black families lives?
Have they_really_helped anyone in the black community?
It seems that over the past 40 years of government teet sucking the Black community has lost its ability to be self-reliant.
Hammer says....
I think you meant tit..
Slavery,Willie Lynch, Jim Crow,red lining, poor school systems, systematic oppression,
etc...there was and remains a need for the government to balance and level the playing field as we recover from these government mandated and supported laws and statues.
However, I do agree that some of us become reliant and stuck in a cycle of government dependency and become crippled by that which was designed to be a crutch.
Hammer said,
This statement in and of itself is a slap in the face to every young Black kid in school working hard to become a productive professional citizen, to every Black kid who fights against the poverty and violence that surrounds them but yet pushes on and does the right thing and avoids trouble, violence and the drugs and drug users that prey on them...to every teacher working in the Black community educating and mentoring their students, to all the clergy, ministers and coaches and recreational workers and social workers who have dedicated their lives to the Black community to make a difference.. to every Father and Mother in the Black community that works seven days a week to provide for their families... to the politicians who honestly represent our communities and fight for funding for community driven programs and economic empowerment and development.. We all say to you sir... Your statement is one hundred percent false!!!!
Someone can and will help the Black community and we are currently and will continue to help ourselves!!
It is this kind of un checked rhetoric that is designed to destroy hope and paint false perceptions that become their on reality. Contrary to your misinformation, there are many of us willing to help the Black community and ourselves.
Rob says...
Im not saying that there are none within the black community that arent willing to help themselves, because there are.
Since I grew up as an outsider within the black community (25+ years living as the token white kid in an all black neighborhood) I was able to observe many aspects of the black community.
One of them is the blame game that is played.
I cant tell you how many times I was blamed by black people for their plot in life because I was white.
Instead of blaming themselves for not working hard enough to promote positivity and prosperity within the black community, your so called black leaders (Al Sharpton is a prime example of that) are quick to lay the blame on "the white man keeping them down"
As an aforementioned white guy, I can honestly say that Ive never done anything to keep anyone else down and furthermore I am too busy doing everything I can to do the responsible things in my own life.
To lay blame on someone else for your lot in life instead of realizing that no one can change your lot in life except yourself is about the most deplorable thing you can do to yourself.
Its like blaming someone else for getting you addicted to smoking cigarettes knowing you were the one that put the first cigarette in your own mouth.
Hammer said,
He was representing himself in a hypothetical situation. He did not speak for the entire Black community. A known serial killer in the Black community would be a victim of "Murphy's law", under most circumstances. Street cred was created by those outside the Black community. Inside it's called survival. Rappers street cred only count on entertainment records, not in the real streets. Period.
Rob says,
I'm sorry but I didn't physically see it that way. I witnessed first hand black people largely ignoring crimes because of the mindset of "not another black youth in jail"
Maybe you as someone that is respected within the black community should concentrate on passing the word to black parents (black men in particular) the importance of being good parents instead of being concerned about their rims, car stereos, and how much bling they have.
Bill Cosby touched on that and was lambasted for it.
The black community isnt going to change unless people such as yourself that have a positive message pass on that message of positivity to the people that matter the most. Black children in elementary school.
Hammer said,
There was a time when that mindset was prevalent but today because so many Rappers are shown to own multiple businesses...smart and money is in.. and color is out..
Rob says,
Bloggers within the black community would disagree with you.
Hammer said,
I think you meant tit..
Rob says,
teet, tit, you get my point.
Hammer Said,
Slavery,Willie Lynch, Jim Crow,red lining, poor school systems, systematic oppression,
etc...there was and remains a need for the government to balance and level the playing field as we recover from these government mandated and supported laws and statues.
Rob says,
Hammer, those laws were abolished how long ago?
I see you have fallen victim to having a mindset thats stuck on past injustices towards the black community instead of looking forward.
Ill tell you this, being stuck in the past doesn't get you moving forward.
Again, Ill refer you to what Bill Cosby was lambasted for saying.
Hammer Said,
However, I do agree that some of us become reliant and stuck in a cycle of government dependency and become crippled by that which was designed to be a crutch.
Rob Says,
It was designed to be a hand up not a hand out.
Too many people both black and white have become too complacent being slaves to the government instead of being self.
Hammer do you read much of Mychal Massie?
You should check him out.
Rob
Hammer, please know that the vast majority of us Ron Paul supporters do NOT agree with Rob.
I don't usually post about Ron Paul because I'm not good at expressing myself through written word, I'm a visual artist. Still, I felt compelled to post here because although I am white, I am completely outraged (and offended) by many of the things that Rob has said.
The color of a person's skin is not a contributing factor to whether or not someone is willing to help themselves or whether or not a community can/will change.
I also have to fully disagree with Rob's assessment that the black community does not favor self-reliance. There is no way that people could overcome what America has done to them in the past through slavery, rights violations and much more, if they did not take it upon *themselves* to do so. And many of these horrible actions are still going on and racism is alive and well. I guess it is easy to be part of the majority and think others aren't relying on themselves when you have no idea what it is like to walk in their shoes. Sure there are people who abuse the system and have no intention of relying on themselves but that has nothing to do with skin color. I can assure ROb a million times over that white people do this constantly.
I will agree with Rob on one thing, the government hasn't done anything to help the black community but that is only because the government hasn't done anything to help ANY community (except the rich community and it doesn't matter what skin color there). I personally don't think the government has the ability to change sins of the heart. The only thing the government can do is protect people from being harmed by others and protect people from having their rights infringed upon by others. Right now, they are not doing a very good job of that because the government is too busy doing things it has no business doing (and failing miserabley).
If we could get the government back to a constitional level, government could put the focus on making sure that no ones rights are infringed upon and no one is harmed by another. The only candidate in either of the two major parties who is advocating for this is Ron Paul.
The government has fostered a nation of dependency (this relates to people of all skin colors). We become dependent on the government and what we get in return is sub-standard. This collectivist attitude seperates us from our family, our neighbors, and the world around us. It supresses the power of ostracism. It removes the incentive to keep in good graces with family and friends. There used to be a time when we needed our family and we needed to make sure we did the right thing because if we didn't we could become ostracized by our family and our community and then who would we go to if we became in need? Once we became reliant on the government, we had no need to stay close to our family, no need to have our community like us. Many (most?) people who become in need today go right to the government first without even asking family, friends, or church for financial help. Hey, we have paid our money to the government and they owe it to us, right? The average american pays over 50% of their income to the government.
Yes, that is right. Currently 58% of the economy is government controlled. We are over 50% socialist now and we are seeing the consequences of that.
How can we get back to the point where people feel an incentive to have strong families? How can we get people to want to be productive members of society? How can we get our churches to become bigger influences in the community, to help more people? I believe these things will go the farthest in preventing people from doing horrible things. I believe the answer is getting the government out of our lives.
Another huge issue that Ron Paul speaks about often is inflation. This hurts the poor the most and has the least effect on the rich. When the government gives the power to elitist private bankers to print money out of thin air, it reduces the value of the money already out there - a hidden tax. The rich are enjoying the fresh money before it becomes devalued while those who have less have to sit by and watch the money in their pockets loose its value. Who is the only candidate talking about this? Ron Paul.
Perhaps the most important reason that I think Ron Paul is the best option for president in regard to the topic at hand, is that he is the only one who actually wants to put the power back in the hands of the people. Right now corporations are basically buying out washington. Politicians say all the right things to get votes and make people think they are going to make the world better but legislation never ends up serving that goal. Usually, a bill doesn't end up even resembling what it started out as. We, as average citizens have very little control over what goes on. When government is centralized, that is the outcome. We need to get the power back in the hands of the state and local levels. Then people in every community (regardless of race) will have more control over what happens where they live. No wonder people are outraged right now. I am outraged. There isn't much I can do about it though. That is why I feel so strongly about getting Ron Paul elected. I want everyone to be able to make a difference in their own communities and the only presidential candidate who wants to make that happen is Ron Paul.
Hey Hammer, I'm a 19 year old student Ron Paul supporter, and I'm gonna keep this relatively short and simple.
MY THEORY: One of the major contributing factors to despair and hopelessness of any community is victimization. Victimization occurs when someone feels that for some reason or another, that they are inferior and that there is nothing that can be done about it.
This happens more often and more prominently in the black community because it is more common to be told that you are being treated unfairly for being black, and then ON TOP OF THAT, if you are one of the poorer black families, you are even helped by the government for being 'so inferior'. This does not bode well psychologically, and plays into a cycle of victimization which also involves media. However I believe the media portion would never have happened if not for the government playing into this victimization. These days as we are hearing for these mass callings to ban the N word and clean up hip hop, the community might just be ready to put an end to the media's dirty hand in this, and the government's hand should be cut off as well.
What our government does to the black community is very similar to what people around the world are doing to Africa. Africa is a proud and strong continent that existed for thousands of years without the help of white intervention, but we INSIST on giving them free things to make their lives better. Why do we do this? Because genuinely care, but our care misguided and short sighted. When you give free things and preferential treatment to a specific group of people, you create victimization. In the end, you create more poverty, more of a divide, and more problems. You can read about the negative effects of African aid as explained by a Kenyan economist to a German newspaper here: http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,363663,00.html
We need to stop treating blacks like they need our help, and ween them off of the vicious cycle that is government subsidies. You cannot be proud when your own damn government is telling you that you're inferior and *NEED* their help to survive. Yes, this will be a rough transition for some, but never in our history has a good kick in the ass held the potential to save so many lives. If we transition over time (not cut-off) the black community towards self reliance with the help of community leaders and decreased government support, we can end this cycle of victimization once and for all.
So that's the theory, and that's probably what Ron Paul would suggest as well. It's not the easiest thing to hear and accept, but it's a change. A change that has the potential to save people. Isn't it worth a try?
(Also, I apologize for some of the ignorant things said by Rob, as you well know Hammer, misinformation is a deadly disease, and it's perpetuated by the same things that cause this victimization. The government needs to step up first to put an end to it, and over time, the media and information will change to reflect it.)
Hello from a Ron Paul supporter in South Carolina. I just stumbled on your blog and wasn't even aware of that sick attack.
I can't speak for Ron Paul, as none of the commenter here can, but what would I do personally if I was a parent of one of those kids in the video? I would first beat the kids ass, then march him down to the local police station and make sure that he understands that actions have consequences.
The parents have the greatest responsibility in making sure their children do not become thugs like the ones in this video.
Now regarding the comments of Rob and his ilk.
Ron Paul's constitutional message is so positive for everyone that hears it, that he has a wide base of support, including some elements that certainly do not share all of Ron Paul's views and morals.
Just because some racist endorses Ron Paul, it does not mean that Ron Paul endorses racism.
I hope that everyone takes the time to learn more about Ron Paul's message of Hope For America, and don't let a few fools turn you away from the greater good.
Best Regards,
Eric Burke
Anderson, SC
Sorry hammer, I just re-read my post and it wasn't as short as I had wanted it to be. But this is a topic that I'm passionate about, so I do tend to type a little more than I wanted to >_<
Anyway, Eric is correct. No one here can speak for Ron Paul, and if you're really interested in his message you would need to go out and research it. Thanks for taking the time to read :)
The biggest thing Ron Paul will begin the end of the war on drugs. Drug warfare is the primary reason many american communities are falling apart. Legalization would destroy the black market and gangs would begin to disappear. The antagonism towards cops would soon disappear aswell. People would then be able to get treatment for addictions instead of jail time. Police would be able to spend time making the streets free from violent criminals. The war on drugs is only helping cartels at this point and it needs to be stopped, Ron Paul would begin that process.
I don't know what Paul would say. I know he beleives that social problems need to be handled on the community level, ei family churches, schools.
Speaking from my own Observations, I am going to say that I think a feeling of abandonement within such comunities comes from so many fathers not being around to raise their kids.
I think the feeling of hopelessness comes from so many children, dropping out of school and not even having a HS education to move forward with.
If such communities want to break the chains of oprresion leaving them feeling abandoned and hopeless, they need to step up tp the plate, and quit abandoning their own youth, leaving the streets to raise them.
They need to stick around and make sure, they finish at least HS.
Commitments to positive change need to be made. No body can do that for anyone.
All people need to stop having children, they will not be around to raise. Anyone with children, needs to do what ever it takes, to see them get an education. These things have to become a number one priority and VALUE within the communities and, it has to start with someone, saying, "Hey, I am going to be the change, I wish to see."
For as long as it is acceptable for fathers to ditch their kids, and for kids to become frop outs, how can anyone expect such a community to feel wanted and full of hope for a future?
Wow, this is a tough one. Culture is not something easily influenced by politicians (nor should it be, I think). I'll throw my $.02 in, but first I have to offer a disclaimer that I'm a rich white boy who has absolutely no first-hand experience with this sort of thing ;) I am, however, interested in political and economic philosophy, and I think problems like these are mostly solvable (which makes them all the more tragic).
I think there are three major factors, the war on drugs, economics and the current political culture.
Drugs:
We all know most violent crimes in America are drug-related. Many people might say those who commit these crimes would be violent criminals regardless of whether or not drugs were legal, but history shows this is not the case. During alcohol prohibition there was similar violence, and it went away after prohibition was repealed.
With people involved in the drug trade unable to turn to the government to protect their liberty and property like law-abiding citizens, they must handle this themselves. The result, of course, is violence.
If the federal war on drugs was ended, as Dr. Paul wishes, states would have the right to make laws concerning them. Hopefully some drugs (especially those less dangerous than alcohol, of which there are many) would be legalized. This would create legitimate jobs where there were none before, reduce violence, and make those drugs safer and better regulated than they were when they were illegal. The economic benefits would be large as well, especially for the people who would become unemployable with drug charges on their records (a condition which of course only leads to more crime).
I believe drug-related violence spills out into other aspects of our culture, desensitizing us to it. When people hear about drug dealers being killed on the street, or gang violence without innocents being caught in the crossfire, they often think little of it. They don't seem to remember that it was the government who made these people into criminals in the first place.
Political Culture:
You hear a lot of talk about group-rights in Washington. Lately a lot has been said about gay rights, marriage, and that sort of thing. Only Dr. Paul, to my knowledge, promotes the classically liberal, Jeffersonian idea of equal rights originating from the individual, and not from membership in any group or being granted by government. America was founded on that ideal. We've never been able to live up to it, but we're a lot closer today than we've been. I don't think we should stop shooting for it. I really dislike this attitude of “group rights”, and I cannot see how this mindset could do anything but harm relations with between “groups” (and therefore contribute to the racial riots you mentioned).
I think a president reminding the people of the true nature of individual rights would go a long way to reducing the various -isms in America.
Economic:
I cannot really imagine the mindset of someone who commits an act of serious violence; I have never been in those shoes. But I can guess that such acts are caused by feelings of extreme frustration, from an inability to escape from conditions of poverty. Rich people obviously do not often riot, and more rarely participate in violence. Not that I think they are somehow better people than others, they simply have less of a reason to commit violence; they have more to loose.
But being in poverty is clearly not the only factor. The millions of immigrants who flocked to this country in the 19th and early 20th century were poor, but they did not riot. They were, after all, much less poor in America than they were in their home countries. So I would think the solution is a system by which people can rise up out of poverty. This is supposed to be what capitalism offers, the American Dream. Opportunity for all, with each person judged by his or her abilities and desires. So why isn't it working in some cases?
I'm not really sure, but I know there are some things Dr. Paul suggests that will certainly help. The first no-brainer is to stop taking money from taxpayers and giving it to wealthy people and corporations. Corporate welfare is, in my opinion, highly immoral, and Dr. Paul is staunchly against it in every form. The second no-brainer is to stop wasting money over seas, either in wars or simply troops stationed on foreign soil. Of course as a Constitutionalist, Dr. Paul doesn't like other forms of welfare at the federal level either, but he's stated that it isn't his goal to get rid of legitimate social welfare programs.
Another no-brainer is doing what can be done to stimulate the economy in general. More economic growth means more and better jobs, hopefully meaning less people would have a reason to commit violence. Lower taxes in any form almost always help out the economy, and I think Dr. Paul would try very hard to cut down on useless spending and lower taxes for all classes of Americans. He also opposes numerous laws and regulations which hold back the American economy (like the silly bans on industrial hemp farming, which he's introduced a bill to remove).
Dr. Paul speaks a lot about monetary policy being a transfer of wealth from the poorer to the rich, and at first I thought he was a bit nuts about it. But then I started looking into it and reading a bit more, and I think he is right. With our system of easy credit, excess money is created from loans. Combine that with how easy it is to re-finance real estate, and newly-created money is literally poured into the real estate market. So people involved in real estate get richer and reap the benefits of inflation, while others just have to deal with the higher cost of living. Dr. Paul believes Wall Street is effected similarly, but lately (with the housing boom) it seems like real estate is the most recent and obvious example of this.
Then there is the issue of health care, and I think only Dr. Paul really cares to solve the root problems which ruined health care in this country to begin with (namely by over-regulation, the FDA, and creating employer-provided insurance policies).
Dr. Paul also believes allowing parents and children a choice in schools would help education greatly, but this isn't something that can be solved at the federal level.
Yeah, I forgot to mention the drug issue and that is hugely relevant here. Another reason to vote for Ron Paul.
FWIW, I'm white but I'm not rich or male. I'm a woman and a mother.
Here is what Ron said about Gov't & Racism just this past April. Also, you can see ALL of Ron's writings at www.paulonpaper.com
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=508
Hammer first your the man.
Second
What you need to ask yourself is has the government helped these kids at all? Ever? My guess would be the ones that have become succesful in business or other industries such as yourself did it through hard work and bucking the odds. The government currently tells kids in all neighborhoods what they should be learning in school. The fundamental problem with this is that every community is differnt. The first thing Ron Paul would do is let the teachers get back to teaching not trying to satisfy government mandates. I think this would go a long way.
Third
Wealth
Currently poor people are not taxed nearly as much as the rich. Income tax as you know varies by the amount of money you make. However if you take a closer look the poor are actually taxed higher then the rich. Much much higher. This is the inflation tax that only Ron Paul is talking about. If you have a modest income as much as 5 to 10% of your saving is gone every year becasue of inflation. As the good doctor has said this is a transfer of wealth from the poor to the middle class then to wall street. Its easy to see who is benefiting from this. Through hard work and proper money management poor kids would be able to build a savings, start a business, buy a house. In my experience people are much more likely to take care of something if they own it. Its when something is given to you that you don't appreciate it and then let it turn to shit.
I guess the overall theme of this is that Dr Paul would bring hope and opportunity back. What black kids in the city or poor white kids in rural South Carolina do with it is up to them but they will finally have a real opportunity to grow wealth.
Thanks
for reading
What I believe Ron Paul brings to the table is the idea of individualism.
One of the first things I noticed when I watched this video is that it's a large group of people that attacked the victim. I believe that when people feel that they are part of a group, they're much more prone to make the kind of bad choices that must've lead up to the event displayed in the video, than if they were to feel that they are first and foremost an individual.
Individuals are responsible for their own actions, and suffer the consequences (and benefits) of their own actions. There's certainly nothing wrong with individuals becoming part of a group (of individuals), as they can combine their energy and resources to create useful products and services for themselves and others, but there is the risk of individuals in a group leaving their individualism at the door. When this happens, it becomes a lot easier for these individuals to not consider the consequences of their actions. "If something goes wrong, I won't be the only one held accountable." "If I don't do as everyone else does, I'll be seen as a wuss." This is why kids smoke cigarettes, use pot, consume alcohol. It's why they tease those that are deemed inferior because of their looks.
Most kids grow out of this phase as they mature. Some don't. I'm not sure why that is. Lack of role models (parents, friends, media, society as a whole), lack of opportunities (school, community), or perhaps it is just a lack of self control.
What would Ron Paul be able to do about this?
Well, I believe that his strong belief in the concept of individualism, the belief that we should all be responsible for our own actions, and that we should rely less on the government but more on one another, on our families, our communities, our friends and neighbors, might be enough to break the cycle that we seem to be caught in. A cycle where society as a whole (special interest groups, the media, and the government) seems to want to fit us all into groups, stamp a label on us, and then put us in a giant boxing ring so the different groups can battle one another. I guess my label is that of a white, immigrant, libertarian, atheist, married, lower middle class, slightly overweight, geeky, shy, capricorn male. That's not me though. I now consider myself American. I'm willing to listen to new ideas and adapt my political beliefs pretty much every day. I'm trying to open up more when I talk to other people. If I were part of some group, though, of white, immigrant, libertarian, etc., males, I probably wouldn't be interested in changing any of my ways, as those changes may put my membership of that group in danger.
I read the comments, and even though I am a social studies teacher in the Bronx, that makes me no expert on the question Hammer poses.
There is definitely a problem of hopelessness and abandonment. How do we get rid of that in the easiest possible way? Better schools, better jobs, better health care, less crime, less racism, and a better example set by our goverment. I honestly believe Ron Paul can accomplish all of these things.
You cannot expect children to grow up believing that the honest and good guy has a chance when the government is corrupt, it bombs some countries and sells nuclear reactors to others, it throws some criminals and jails and not others. I honestly believe that if Ron Paul were President, his belief in freedom and a non-interventionist foreign policy could do much to meet the preceding ends.
No making enemies overseas, no war on drugs, less regulations on capital, lower taxes, less subsudizing of billion dollar corporations--a President can accomplish this with the veto and we know that Ron Paul is the only man that would do it. The result would be a more vibrant economy with more good jobs, more freedom, and overall, a better moral example of how a nation should be run and what we should expect from our leaders and each other.
Granted, Ron Paul is not going to create a utopia and undo 400 years of exploiting blacks. However, he will help turn the nation in the right direction, away from costly wars and regulations that privlige the rich but hurt the economy overall and towards a more healthy and less corporatist one, so people can get rewarded for their hard work and doing things the right way instead of losing faith seeing the opposite so often.
That's why Ron Paul would help so much. He's more than an anti-war candidate. He's a candidate that will bring issues into play that have been ignored so long at the common person's peril.
Hammer, thank you for making a forum about these political issues.
From a hard working white guy who supports Ron Paul with all his might...
First things first. Hammer, I dug ya in the 80s. You are a smart guy who was loyal to his crew and did a lot to help whenever and wherever he could. This is from what I could glean from news reports, documentary type reports and stories from friends out your way. Since I have the chance to offer my respect, there it is.
I watched the Documentary 'The Blackout Of America' regarding the 2004 election in Ohio. I saw black Americans who waited 12 hours in lines that stretched out into the woods, many of them standing in the rain.
When they reached the voting booth, many were turned away because they 'were at the wrong precinct', etc.
I have to say that it broke my heart to watch this criminal Bush and his thugs deny black folks the most basic of rights.
Why would any black American vote for a Republican after that? Here's why:
This time, there is a real man running under the Republican ticket. Ron's got the stones to stand up to the Federal Reserve System. Ron's got the stones to tell the republican Party they are wrong and have lost their way.
Please let me quote RP, and realize that this comes from his belief in America. No written speech. No notes. No rehearsal:
"We don't get our rights because we're gays, or women, or minorities. We get our rights from our Creator, as individuals. So, everyone should be treated the same...as individuals."
I don't know about you, but I haven't heard that much power in 3 sentences since Bobby and Martin.
Ron Paul knows the ills of the criminalization of drugs. The hundreds of billions of dollars that go to the War on Drugs that should go into American's pockets. The gangsters that the ilicit drug trade spawns and funds. The violence that grows to protect illegal drug distribution territories. The tax dollars that aren't collected in the transactions. The high prices for drugs that result from their being sold on the black market, which also results in the addict's violence toward peaceful citizens who he robs in order to pay those high prices.
Ron Paul knows that the Feds have spent nearly a trillion dollars since they got their greasy mitts on our education system. The result has been that the US has fallen from #1 to #17 in the world, just above Mexico, in basic educational skills. That isn't just in the case with black Americans...it affects ALL colors of American.
Ron Paul knows that the one single special interest group that ALL politicians fear is We The People. That's why they persist in making us believe that we're whites and blacks, men and women, gays and straights, Democrats and Republicans...not Americans.
Ron Paul knows that we aren't in Iraq to f'ight terrorism', or to 'bring democracy to the Middle East'. He knows that we're over there to enrich a few grease balls who are looting our treasury while they secure their rights to the world's oil.
This election, my friend, we're all in the same boat. Our color won't matter in the police state. Our color won't matter in the race for a decent job where 20 million illegal aliens are in line and the decent paying jobs have already been sent overseas.
Hammer, I mean this as sincerely as I have ever meant anything: You concentrate on how to deliver the message to black Americans to vote for the only guy who gives a damn about Americans. We'll work together to assure that every vote is counted correctly (the existing laws are there, we just have to be organized to police them). We'll work together to clean out the rat holes that the House and Senate have become with education and our votes. We'll work together to end the Wars on Poverty, Education, Drugs and Terror that currently only assure that we will always be poor, ignorant, addicted and afraid.
Ron's ideas are not those that he invented. He's spent 40 years working within our Federal government, studying economics and our Constitution and consistently working for the benefit of the only special interest group that matters to him. Americans.
No IRS. No worthless, inflated funny money that buys nothing by the time it's filtered down to us. Balanced Budgets that will allow for money to go to our individual endeavors instead of into a few greasy pockets. The Bill of Rights re-instated. A Free Market society instead of a Socialist/Fascist one. Elimination of the Police State, which affects us all. Secure borders that keep out criminals.
And, really...this is just the beginning of what's possible. I know that you know this to be true. You're a smart guy who has a lot of common sense and compassion for his brothers and sisters.
It's up to you...and me. I'm doing my part. I can do more. Ron Paul is the guy to get into the White House...period. Everyone else is gonna do what they always have done. Feed you lip service to get elected, then pi$$ all over you.
I hope you succeed in ever endeavor, whatever you decide,
Dave
I have to agree largely with Matt C's comments. We need to be reeducated as to how our constitutional republic is really supposed to function before we can hypothesize as to how it can be fixed.
The LA Riots which precipitated as a result of a state court ruling in favor of white officers accused of brutally beating Rodney King, an unarmed black man. Of course, rioting was likely the result of a mounting climate of unrest and frustration and the court ruling was just the straw that broke the camel's back. However, when it comes down to it, it was a state issue and had nothing directly to do with the federal government.
Furthermore, to appeal to the federal executive branch for intervention in a state matter is exactly the sort of behavior that has gotten the country into the mess that it finds itself in today - a bloated power hungry, money-sucking beast of an executive branch which acts with impunity and without regard for the rule of law. To ask the federal governement to intervene in a State matter is BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE. The policies of the executive branch are designed to manufacture needs that the executive branch will demand funding to address - and all the while support the false notion that it is the executive branch who is to solve the problem - hence it grows ever larger.
If you want to address the social climate, race relations, state and local law enforcement policies and other community issues, you need to get the federal government out of the way!
With the Federal Government out of the way, you will see an end to this sham called The War on Drugs, which is more aptly named The War on Minorities (Blacks in particular). With the Federal Government out of the way, you will see programs that promote dependency on the state disappear and be replaced with grassroots private programs that will be more efficient in addressing the needs of the community. With the Federal Government out of the way, you will see an end to the bi-weekly robbery called Income Tax and the insidious secret tax perpetrated by the Federal Reserve in the form of inflation which forces families to send both parents to work, leaving their children to be raised by the state.
As we see families reunited, prisons emptying, hope restored in the wage-earning potential of the bread-winner of the family and futures brighten, you might just start to see a change in the climate that cultivates the feelings of hopelessness and dispair.
As a Black man who supports Ron Paul, I challenge each and every one of you - whether a Ron Paul supporter or not - to read the Constitution (both the Federal constitution and the one for your state) and not simply rely on what the media has told you or what the governement-subsidized (by the executive branch) schools have taught you. This should give you an idea as to what our governments were SUPPOSED to do and what our officials have sworn to uphold. Compare what you read here to what you see our elected officials doing and make a decision.
I believe our country - and indeed the world - will be a better place if each an every one of us were truly free. If you believe this as I do, Ron Paul is the ONLY choice.
I appreciate the honest, open exchange of ideas,opinions and positions. Thank you all. We as a society need this.
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