The Right Opinion
Aren't Republicans Supposed to Be Colorblind?
"Which of our Hispanic leaders would you consider to serve in your Cabinet?" A woman attending the last Republican debate in Florida asked this of the four Republican rivals.
Oh, for crying out loud! Ethnic-based Cabinet appointees? Do we still need to go out and "seek" people of a certain color or religion to show "fairness and inclusion"? What about considering the best people possible -- isn't that the only appropriate answer to that question?
But Republicans go all Democrat, all too often, in front of black and brown audiences. They say things to show how empathic they are, rather than promote their principles as beneficial to all, regardless of race or gender or ethnicity.
Look at the way former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum answered this Cabinet question. Obviously anticipating such a query, they spat out practically every Hispanic name they could think of short of the Frito Bandito.
Only one, libertarian Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, said the right thing. Paul simply said he wanted someone who understands fiscal and monetary policy -- "Hispanic or otherwise." And Paul won't be the nominee.
The perception of Republicans as racist is joyfully promoted by Democrats like Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who said that Republicans "want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws." Meanwhile, Democrats have successfully airbrushed away their own sordid racist history. This includes the founding of the Ku Klux Klan, which many called "the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party." This includes opposing the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. Yet today, by branding the GOP as the party of the racists, Democrats pull over 90 percent of the black vote in presidential elections.
A Republican elected official once asked me what he could do to improve his poll numbers in the black community. "As a private citizen," the frustrated politician said, "I donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for computers in schools. I make all the rounds at the right places in the inner city." Yet in elections he received little black support.
"I'll give you some advice, but you won't like it," I said.
"Try me."
"OK. Stop condescending. Stop apologizing. You can't out-warmth a Democrat. They're pros at showing minorities how much they 'care' by promising special programs or incentives that either don't work or make things worse.
"Say something like this: 'You are not a victim. Racism, sexism and homophobia are in full retreat in American life. Today, your fate is determined far more by what goes on in your home -- rather than what goes on in city hall.' Make the case that we all want clean streets, safe neighborhoods and competitive schools. Make the case that your agenda -- low taxes, less regulation and choice in schools -- empower individuals, no matter the race, to make their own choices.
"Say: 'I don't wake up saying what black or brown or white or yellow thing I intend to do today. We are Americans before we are members of a racial group or religion or ethnicity. And, if we want our prayers answered, let's get off our knees and work to make them come true."
The politician said, "I can't say that."
In a piece called "California's Demographic Revolution," Heather Mac Donald describes the result of a March 2011 poll on the unfavorable view California Hispanics have toward the Republican Party: "The top two reasons were that the party favored only the rich and that Republicans were selfish and out for themselves; Republican positions on immigration law were cited less often."
How does the GOP turn that around? Simply saying, "No, we're not selfish, we care," won't work. Make the case for choice in school and private accounts for Social Security. Explain how the liberal feel-good polices -- welfare, public housing, urban renewal, assigned government schools, minimum wage laws -- hurt the very groups Democrats claim to help. Argue that it is condescending, if not racist, to believe that certain people cannot compete because of their race.
President John F. Kennedy, in 1963, was asked whether "Negroes" should receive special race-based hiring to compensate for slavery and discrimination: "I think it is a mistake to begin to assign quotas on the basis of religion or race -- color -- nationality. ... On the other hand, I do think that we ought to make an effort to give a fair chance to everyone who is qualified -- not through a quota -- but just look over our employment rolls, look over our areas where we are hiring people and at least make sure we are giving everyone a fair chance. But not hard and fast quotas. ... We are too mixed, this society of ours, to begin to divide ourselves on the basis of race or color."
Kennedy said that 49 years ago. It's what Messrs. Romney, Santorum and Gingrich should say -- right now.
COPYRIGHT 2012 LAURENCE A. ELDER
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
6 Comments
wjmccrindle
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Democrats only maintain power through their lies and deciet, keeping the usefull idiots slaves to the government welfare system. Those not paying taxes should not be allowed to vote, for they now number close to the point of no return, outnumbering tax payers. They have run out of other peoples money. They are indoctrinated in government schools to embrace their handouts and anti-American marxist tyranny. They remain slaves to their sloth and dependance on the government for handouts. This is not America, but the vision the Democrats want for us all. A vote for a Democrat is tantamount to Treason.
Old Guy
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Unfortunately we're stuck with a choice between dishonest Democrats and dumb Republicans.
Jim G
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Well said Sir!!! Great column! Keep up the good work.
Jeannette
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Larry: Nobody is color-blind. Utopia would be a place where color simply would not be seen. On the othr hand, one could ask an artist if that rule should be fast and true. Color sometimes defines artists. Who could forget Van Gogh's famous colorful pieces? Or any of Georgia O'Keeffe's masterpieces?Back on track, it would be nice if people really couldn't see the colors of other people, but that's impossible. The best we can do is to recognize that we are all "We The People." Most of us try. Especially those "in power" should be able to make decisions based entirely on reason, and not color.
veritaseequitas
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Idiocy has become so embedded in our culture and psyche that we are now expected to elect, appoint or hire based on color or gender or any of the other government decided Title VII classifications that are current law. Don't be surprised if a disabled person gets the chance to ask which disabled person would a candidate appoint to a cabinet position? It no longer matters if you are qualified, just if you are classified.
pete
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 6:16 PM
Many California Hispanics, like the rest of the country in all races and ages, develop their opinion of Republicans thru what they hear and read in the liberal media. There will be no change in any of that until the media grows beyond adolescent attitudes.