It seems to me that people are confusing reparations for slavery more than 150 years ago with the settlement presently being proposed by Congress. I
don't think it's accidental that the right is trying to confound the situation by conflating the two together. They are actually separate issues.
I agree that it is too late to pay reparations for slavery (although descendants of slaves may justifiably feel entitled to "twenty acres and a mule"
which they were promised at the time of emancipation). IMHO our changed behavior toward African Americans and Native Americans now should be just
payment for past suffering.
The only problem is our behavior and our oppression toward these two groups has NOT changed adequately. The cases being handled by Congress are
recent abuses of government-sponsored loans to them, going back only, say, 20 years or so according to the OP.
If ANYONE who has been damaged by another's malice, greed or stupidity can find a just remedy through our legal system today, then that is the proper
course of action for African and Native Americans to take. I think their lawsuit has merit in the present time and deserves justice.
No, we are far past the point when we can recompense their ancestors for their suffering, but we sure as hell can
remedy the dishonesty and swindling that has taken place in relatively recent years.
edit on 1-12-2010 by Sestias because: (no reason
given)