Why I (a black woman) left the Democratic Party

The more I study Political Science in school, the more politically aware I am becoming. Let me tell you two distinct incidents that made me research the Democratic parties' platform:

At the end of my active duty from the United States Marine Corps (ooo-rah!) , I was single mother having to move back with my mother for a while, until I was able to gain civilian employment. During this time, I encountered a few friends from back in the day and we decided to meet for drinks and catch up. We were to meet at one particular friend's home. As I drove to her home, I saw that she lived in the suburbs and had a big, beautiful home. She owned a new car and was dressed in the latest fashion. When I came inside, she had lots of brand new furniture and her refrigerator was stocked with plenty of food. We sat and talked. I joked about how much I envied her new 'lifestyle' and said, "Girl, please tell me how I can get on at your job." She looked puzzled, and said, "Job?" I said, "Of course!" She said, "Girl, I don't work." I was confused....I stated, "You are kidding me, right? How is it that you have all of these nice things? Look at this home!" She laughed and said, "Girl, my food is from food stamps, I got that car with a tax refund, my clothes and furniture come from welfare checks, my utilities are paid for by the gov't, and this house is section 8." I quickly said "WTF!" I didn't even know what section 8 was. When she explained this to me, I jokingly said "Well hell, how do I get all of this stuff..lol" She looked serious and said, "Well, you probably don't qualify cuz you only have 1 child, plus you went to college".........

second incident

A few years back when I returned to school to complete my bachelor's degree, I began receiving welfare/food stamps. The conditions were to either be enrolled in school, working for less than $8.00 per hour, or "looking for work". I was very serious about escaping poverty, so I was a serious student. Dean's list, honors program, you name it. About 3 months into my college time, I had an appointment with my TANF (welfare) caseworker...she basically told me that my benefits were about to be terminated in 30 days. I was confused. I was doing exceptionally well in school, and was following all of the 'guidelines'. I asked what the problem was. She told me, "Well, it appears that you have been going to school for more than 3 months. We will only pay assistance for 3 months of you being in school." Again, I was like "WTF!" I stated, "Ma'am, it takes more than 3 months to complete a degree." She said, "Yes, that's true. But you cannot get assistance that whole time." I asked "Wasn't this program designed to help those who are helping themselves? I am getting my degree to escape poverty permanently." She said, "Your choices are to quit school and "look for work" or to work under $8.00 per hour." I said, "Those choices will have me in poverty until I die!" She just looked at me. I smiled and said, "You go ahead and keep this 'assistance'. I'm about to graduate with honors. Have a good day!"

I began to really rethink the agenda of the parties, and had noticed that everyone in my family (black) had blindly voted democratic longer than I have been alive. I started to learn the history:

It was the Democratic Party who:

upheld the slavery institution/ rebelled against the gov't that freed the slaves/ formed the KKK as a terrorist arm to scare newly voting blacks into the democratic party/ developed the 'Southern Strategy' to trick blacks into voting democratic forever, in exchange for lifelong entitlements

It was the Republican Party who:

freed the slaves / voted blacks in the Congress/ enacted the Civil Rights/ was against segregation/ tried to educate misinformed blacks that lifelong entitlement was just like the 'plantation.

I saw that the Democratic Party perpetuated generational poverty by not supporting higher education and encouraging already poor blacks (any race actually) to 'stay where they are' cause big gov't is here to help them. This party rewards laziness and unproductive behavior, such as having multiple children out of wedlock and not seeking a degree.

I saw that while most blacks see Republicans as 'evil rich white people', I see it as the party that says, "Yes, get assistance, but not for life, as that is not in your best interest. It is the party that believes in capitalism and is opposed to socialism, which allows everyone to live alike, regardless of input and productivity. In fact, most successful black people in history who were Republican were:

Fredrick Douglas / Madam CJ Walker/ Harriet Tubman/ Sojourner Truth/ Rev Martin Luther King Jr, and Sr/

to name a few....

I understand the saying: :If the Republicans are for the rich and the Democrats are for the poor, then both parties will continue to make MORE of what they are FOR.

There you have it. Talk to me :-)

Originally posted by ButterCookie
At the end of my active duty from the United States Marine Corps (ooo-rah!) ,

I was Army. (grunt grunt). I wanted to go airborne but back then us women couldn't.

I saw that the Democratic Party perpetuated generational poverty ..

.. via perpetual victimhood. Without supposed victimhood, the dems would be in a world of hurt.

Originally posted by FlyersFan

Originally posted by ButterCookie
At the end of my active duty from the United States Marine Corps (ooo-rah!) ,

I was Army. (grunt grunt). I wanted to go airborne but back then us women couldn't.

I saw that the Democratic Party perpetuated generational poverty ..

.. via perpetual victimhood. Without supposed victimhood, the dems would be in a world of hurt.

Hats off for your service, comrade!!

Yes, I see it everyday, the whole, "You are black, and are therefore a victim. The gov't will rescue you, so sit back and enjoy the ride...."

Yeah, it really disgusted me, that I have served my country, the very country that rewarded irresponsibility.

Im Hispanic, was raised in a "democrats" household, I left after Obama got the primary. Now I am registered republican, but honestly I lean Dem on some issues and Rep on other.

I can't see voting for either in the upcoming elections, don't know what ill vote.

No one party represents even 50 % of what I believe.

Originally posted by benrl
Im Hispanic, was raised in a "democrats" household, I left after Obama got the primary. Now I am registered republican, but honestly I lean Dem on some issues and Rep on other.

I can't see voting for either in the upcoming elections, don't know what ill vote.

No one party represents even 50 % of what I believe.

edit on 16-6-2012 by benrl because: (no reason given)

I can understand.

Even though I will be voting republican, I don't agree with all 'republican ideologies'...for example, I am not religious, I believe in gay rights, and I support abortion.

See, people should not seek to find a party who identifies their stance on EVERY issue. that's impossible, I believe in the exercising the right to vote, so I would encourage all people to do so, and for the candidate who you feel strongest about to lead the country in a better direction.

While I love the fact that a black man is in the office, I understand that I do not support socialism.

In 2012 I don't think you'll find much difference between the Democratic or Republican party. They are both owned and run by corporate interest.
Of course you have your superficial differences between the two, but at the end of the day, the President and whichever party he belongs to will tow a fairly moderate line.

When people say that Republicans and Democrats are just two sides of the same coin, they aren't lying.

I'm registered Independent.

In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to the Republican Party strategy of winning elections in Southern states by exploiting anti-African American racism and fears of lawlessness among Southern white voters and appealing to fears of growing federal power in social and economic matters (generally lumped under the concept of states' rights).

Seems like you are just suffering from Stockholm Syndrome

Labeling yourself a Democrat or a Republican limits free thinking and causes you to only act and think in the ways and means set forth by said ideology. These ideologies are like tools. If you have only one, you end up hammering a nail with the blunt end of a screwdriver. The reality is that sometimes it takes a republican approach to a problem, and other times a socialist approach, democrat approach, etc.

Originally posted by muse7

In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to the Republican Party strategy of winning elections in Southern states by exploiting anti-African American racism and fears of lawlessness among Southern white voters and appealing to fears of growing federal power in social and economic matters (generally lumped under the concept of states' rights).

Seems like you are just suffering from Stockholm Syndrome

No, not at all.

I support individual responsibility.

The 'switch-a-roo' of the Southern Strategy was getting blacks to see the Republican party as evil 'white people', when history shows otherwise. It got blacks to vote democratic, just as the plan had been since the KKK started, and it got southern racist whites to vote against the blacks, which was the Republican party.

That's why there seems to be racial affiliation between the two parties.

reply to post by ButterCookie


That republican party you are discussion of days old, does not exist anymore.

It's not the party of Ronal Reagan they actually scoff at what he did back then, all the stuff you mentioned, the Republican party of today would fight to the death to prevent from happening.

That party has been hijacked, just like the Democrats have been, by the corporations, oligarchs and the far left or right radicals.

~Tenth

Originally posted by muse7

In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to the Republican Party strategy of winning elections in Southern states by exploiting anti-African American racism and fears of lawlessness among Southern white voters and appealing to fears of growing federal power in social and economic matters (generally lumped under the concept of states' rights).

Seems like you are just suffering from Stockholm Syndrome

That's hysterical. You post this Wikipedia article on Southern strategy without posting a link to it, and whether this is on purpose or accidental, it is interesting to note that this Wikpedia article at no point even mentions the Stockholm syndrome, and you do this to discount the O.P.'s personal experience, as if somehow you've made a correct and proper diagnoses of her experience.

Originally posted by SubPop79
Labeling yourself a Democrat or a Republican limits free thinking and causes you to only act and think in the ways and means set forth by said ideology. These ideologies are like tools. If you have only one, you end up hammering a nail with the blunt end of a screwdriver. The reality is that sometimes it takes a republican approach to a problem, and other times a socialist approach, democrat approach, etc.

edit on 16-6-2012 by SubPop79 because: (no reason given)

I disagree.

As I explained, I do not align my ways of thinking with conservatives on every front at all....in fact, I would be considered to be more liberal than conservative on most issues.

Not religious
Support abortion
Support gay rights

Voting for a particular party allows you to exercise this beautiful right. People who state that they are 'independent' find themselves divided on most of the issues, and that is fine. However, you are in the United States of America, where the two main parties are Democrat and Republic. Parties are not created by knocking on each door and taking a talley of everyone's personal stance on the issues....

Bottom line is that a strong economy producing a bunch of rich people is better overall, even for the poor. Liberals dont see this because they take on a victim-perspective. They think that becoming rich means one would have to take money away from the collective. Republicans, on the other hand, think that by providing/selling goods and services to the collective one becomes rich. While there is certainly merit to a number of liberal policies, fiscal wisdom certainly isnt one of them. Nice post btw.

Originally posted by Skyfloating
Bottom line is that a strong economy producing a bunch of rich people is better overall, even for the poor. Liberals dont see this because they take on a victim-perspective. They think that becoming rich means one would have to take money away from the collective. Republicans, on the other hand, think that by providing goods and services to the collective one becomes rich. While there is certainly merit to a number of liberal policies, fiscal wisdom certainly isnt one of them. Nice post btw.

I agree!!

However, I doubt that republicans feel that the way to get rich is by entitlement programs- that would be the Democratic party.

But yes, I totally agree with your statement about fiscal responsibility headed by an oligarchy and that is why I will be voting republican in November. Being rich is not evil, and I have never understood why people in poverty continue to vote for more poverty...

Thanks

Originally posted by ButterCookie

However, I doubt that republicans feel that the way to get rich is by entitlement programs

Misunderstanding. I edited my post to add "selling"..which is what I meant when I said "providing".

reply to post by ButterCookie
Your OP reminded me of a time where mywife and I visited her cousins in another state. My wife and I both worked, and we were saving up to buy a tv. Subsequently, we had time to travel.

One of her cousins had a similar living environment, 3 tv's, a fridge full of food. A nice home, new furnature.

Her cousins "job" was grafting the system.

Thank you for your service to this nation - female Marines are a very special breed!

Lately I have been noticing more and more Blacks and even some Hispanics leaving the Democrat Party. Historically the only Hispanic Republicans were island Puerto Ricans (the national Republican Party is actually quite powerful down there), Cuban-Americans in Florida, and old time "Tejanos", "Californios", etc.

Herman Cain has also been very vocal about his 'transformation' from Democrat to Republican, and I think he would make a fine President but unfortunately haters had to dredge up silly incidents from the past.

Here's another interesting fact, I am not sure if you know this but historically most Blacks voted Republican until the 1960s. When Lyndon Johnson (a huge racist - he despised Black people) signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the media went away he turned to his chief of staff and said " Now I got them stupid n-----s voting Democrat for the next 200 years". The Democrats have basically conditioned Blacks that they NEED the Democrats. As a White person I don't claim to know how it is to be Black but it saddens me to see so many of my fellow Americans bamboozled and put down for political gain by the Democrat Party.

Originally posted by Skyfloating

Originally posted by ButterCookie

However, I doubt that republicans feel that the way to get rich is by entitlement programs

Misunderstanding. I edited my post to add "selling"..which is what I meant when I said "providing".

Cool

In a political science course, I learned the difference between democracy, monarchy, and aristocracy, and thought, "it makes more sense that people who are the most educated and know how to obtain wealth to be making the decisions".....

I try to have these type of conversations in my (black) community, and am always faced with nonchalant attitudes on this subject. In fact, I tried talking about this with my grandmother today, and was told, "WE will be voting for Obama, cuz Obama loves us and is the 1st black president!"

I said, "Grandma, while I agree that Obama is nice, charismatic, and smart, I can't see anything positive (for blacks) that he has done. Can you?"

Sadly, I was faced with the deer-in-headlights look, the same one I get when trying to discuss religion

She could only respond, "Darling, this is our first black president."

I said, "Grandma, I agree. He has had his four, and now its time to get real.."

Needless to say, she made a remark of how I "am all uppity because I am in school- trying to be like them 'white folks'...

I shook my head...

reply to post by ButterCookie

I want to marry you!!
seriously, will you marry me????

Originally posted by ChrisF231
Thank you for your service to this nation - female Marines are a very special breed!

Lately I have been noticing more and more Blacks and even some Hispanics leaving the Democrat Party. Historically the only Hispanic Republicans were island Puerto Ricans (the national Republican Party is actually quite powerful down there), Cuban-Americans in Florida, and old time "Tejanos", "Californios", etc.

Herman Cain has also been very vocal about his 'transformation' from Democrat to Republican, and I think he would make a fine President but unfortunately haters had to dredge up silly incidents from the past.

Here's another interesting fact, I am not sure if you know this but historically most Blacks voted Republican until the 1960s. When Lyndon Johnson (a huge racist - he despised Black people) signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the media went away he turned to his chief of staff and said " Now I got them stupid n-----s voting Democrat for the next 200 years". The Democrats have basically conditioned Blacks that they NEED the Democrats. As a White person I don't claim to know how it is to be Black but it saddens me to see so many of my fellow Americans bamboozled and put down for political gain by the Democrat Party.

Oh I definitely have done the research and learned all of that...thanks for sharing that though!!

Yes, I am noticing the migration too, of blacks to the republican party. And yes, you are right about that 'southern strategy', to keep 'n-s' voting democratic forever....it is, after all, what they had been trying to do since we got our right to vote-hence the forming of the Klu Klux Klan.