Malcolm X's quote on Democrats and Republicans (1 Viewer)

[SaintMatt]

"We, the Black masses, don't want these leaders who seek our support coming to us representing a certain political party. They must come to us today as Black Leaders representing the welfare of Black people. We won't follow any leader today who comes on the basis of political party. Both parties (Democrat and Republican) are controlled by the same people who have abused our rights, and who have deceived us with false promises every time an election rolls around."

Malcolm X


His words are so true. I feel as though both parties have manipulated the Black populace over the years as they misuse all Americans. I agree with him.

 

[Mars]

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[Kencola]

Malcolm Jenkins said What!!!?

 

[wbbigtymer]

The biggest trick of the democrat party has been to convince poor people and minorities that their policies actually benefit them.

 

[KardiacKat]

Over the years I have grown more and more liberal in several areas. I was a very hard conservative as a young person, but now I think it was because I was from a small town and had a narrow scope of vision. The more people I have met, ideas I have heard, things I have seen, the more that scope has broadened and I have become quite liberal. That said, I will never be a Democrat. I have felt for a long time that Democrats are very good and stirring up three faithful blocs: women, gays and blacks. They do it with broad promises, but accomplish very little. It's lip service and window dressing. And while Republicans do even less to ensure the rights and success of anyone considered a minority, at least they don't ever claim they are trying to.

The only real changes ever made spring from grass roots, at the local level first, then regional and state, where a leader's party affiliation is of significantly less importance.

 

[geauxboy]

Dems and Reps are one in the same. Coming to me stating your political afilliation and promises sounds to me like Charlie Brown's teacher.

 

[blackadder]

An error of the founding fathers, IMO, was to not model the representative body after a parliamentary system in order to facilitate a more diverse range of political parties.

No system is perfect and most politicians everywhere are on some level scoundrels. But if yiou are looking for the least sucky option for the people, at least parliaments allow you to find a party that is more aligned with your views and they have a chance to influence the process when they win seats and bargain to form a government. There's more room for diverse politics and parties.

Our unique system has led to oligarchical control through what in effect is a one party system. Take a step back and ignore the debates about what, to me, are social minutia and on the big issues that effect your future and your well being, the two parties are almost identical.

And as for why that is, well...

"Follow the money".

 

[St. Greatness]

George Washington was a smart man, but we already knew that:

Washington goes on to acknowledge the fact that parties are sometimes beneficial in promoting liberty in monarchies, but argues that political parties must be restrained in a popularly elected government because of their tendency to distract the government from their duties, create unfounded jealousies amongst groups and regions, raise false alarms amongst the people, promote riots and insurrection, and provide foreign nations and interests access to the government where they can impose their will upon the country.

from wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington's_Farewell_Address

 

[DadsDream]

His words are so true. I feel as though both parties have manipulated the Black populace over the years as they misuse all Americans. I agree with him.

Now, take the next step and place his quote within the context of the timeline of events in his life, in the black muslim movement and in the national and international events taking place at the time.

As a stand alone quote it's good.

Placed in the context in which it was made, it's great.

 

[Saintsorz]

The biggest trick of the democrat party has been to convince poor people and minorities that their policies actually benefit them.

Eh, I think the best trick either party ever pulled was convincing people that there's actually a difference between them.

 

[dtc]

The biggest trick of the democrat party has been to convince poor people and minorities that their policies actually benefit them.

True, but the biggest trick of the Republican party is to convince anyone who isn't rich that their policies benefit them.

 

[Cajun Mike]

Every politician has a trick to get in office and set themselves up for life. Who do you think cares about the American Public? Not one, Oh they start with maybe good intentions, but once in office it's over. Follow the money!

And this shouldn't be about black people it should be about all of us who get stiffed by those who control the gov.

Should be serve one term, no bennies!

 

[champ76]

True, but the biggest trick of the Democratic party is to convince anyone who isn't rich that their policies benefit them.

fify

 

[blackadder]

George Washington was a smart man, but we already knew that:



from wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

Indeed.

raise false alarms amongst the people, promote riots and insurrection, and provide foreign nations and interests access to the government where they can impose their will upon the country.

Lobbies and special interests employ fearmongering and demogoguery to browbeat the public.

This is old as Athenian democracy and nothing new.

Our whole system of government was set up to try to preclude these things. The entire basis for what the founding fathers did was out of fear (and certainty) that human nature would attempt to abuse power. The checks and balances are designed to try to restrain the scoundrels.

Our system assumes a dim view of human nature, that politicians and powerful interests will try to abuse the sytem to their benefit.

Yet over time as the Constitution weakens and Congress and the judiciary abdicate to the Executive (in part under pressure from the fearmongers and special interests), the checks and balances erode, leading us into a dangerous place.

 

[SaintsFan11]

An error of the founding fathers, IMO, was to not model the representative body after a parliamentary system in order to facilitate a more diverse range of political parties.

No system is perfect and most politicians everywhere are on some level scoundrels. But if yiou are looking for the least sucky option for the people, at least parliaments allow you to find a party that is more aligned with your views and they have a chance to influence the process when they win seats and bargain to form a government. There's more room for diverse politics and parties.

Our unique system has led to oligarchical control through what in effect is a one party system. Take a step back and ignore the debates about what, to me, are social minutia and on the big issues that effect your future and your well being, the two parties are almost identical.

And as for why that is, well...

Follow the money.

I know I'm not breaking any news to you here, but a parliamentary system would have plenty of negative consequences. The Framers didn't want a system that would be responsive to the passions and whims of the populace. They wanted a system that was stable and one in which change would be somewhat difficult. In fact, if factionalism was the greatest concern to the Framers then the two-party system has worked pretty damn well. It's hard to have extreme factions when everything is lumped into two categories.

If you ask me, the problem lies with the citizenry. The Framers expounded upon the need for citizens to be educated, moral, and frugal. Continence has given way to debt-fueled consumption. Age-old ideas about morality have given way to relativism. Education? It's now a means to an end, not an end in itself as the Framers believed. This is not to say that the Framers were correct philosophically, just that they designed a lumbering form of government with that type of citizen in mind.