Racism

Let me say, as a Mid-Western white boy, I cannot profess to be an expert on the topic of race, but while I'm outlining my perceptions of American politics, it would be a huge oversight to skip this topic. I am, however, very proud to live in the home state of what may be the first (half) African American president. Now, onto the topic of race:

Racism isn't a problem that can be tackled easily or quickly, but it is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. There needs to be widespread social and political reforms as well as changes on the part of individuals. Single-parent families are, by far, more common in African American and Hispanic families than in White families. For stats:

http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/prevention/parent-statistics.html

It would be easy to ignore the socio-political aspects of things and simply tell minority fathers to quit being deadbeats. While personal accountability is a factor that needs to be addressed, and I do think there are benefits to changing how minority fathers define their masculinity so that it incorporates being a good father, I don't think that that is the whole story. I may be an optimist, but it seems to me that most men, if they had the choice, would want to be there for their children. So we have to ask, "Why?" Why are these fathers not sticking around?

Raising a child is a huge responsibility financially, emotionally, and physically. Perhaps these men do not feel that they have the income to support a child, and because it is easier and they can, they pretend the child was never born. In this case, we need to revamp our educational system to provide these fathers with an opportunity to make enough money to support their children. Maybe it is the case that it is MORE economical for the father to NOT be around. If a father does not have a good-paying job, then maybe the mother can get more money through social programs than if he was around. This means we need to revamp our social programs to provide adequate financial help to single and dual-parent households. Maybe the minority fathers are not emotionally prepared for fatherhood. Then we need to revamp our sexual education programs so that people do not have children until they are mature enough to have them. We could also try to change the way minority men are socialized through childhood so that they are emotionally prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions. Maybe the fathers are not physically prepared for all of the extra work that is involved in child raising. In this case, we need to provide these families with adequate day-care and after school programs. We need to educate these fathers at a young age the value of hard work. We need to help these parents get through their day to day lives.

Only through a massive overhaul of social, political, and individual doctrines can we bring an end to the racial divide in America. The things I stated above only address one problem, and, as I said, I cannot proclaim to be an expert on the topic of race relations. I won't go into the topic of discrimination, AIDS, or so many other things because I really can't think of anything to say on those topics. Discrimination is bad. We need to legislate and enforce that legislation.

I do want to address affirmative action. While I do see the benefit of affirmative action from a race relations standpoint (I also see the drawbacks, like assuming minorities need affirmative action to be considered equal to Whites), I think the program would be far more effective if it was a class-based initiative rather than a race-based initiative. Let's consider a case where there is a middle-class African American competing for financial aid with a working class white. Who needs the financial aid more? The poorer of the two. Furthermore, I believe that a race-based affirmative action breeds racial tension between Whites and minorities. Whites feel cheated by affirmative action while minorities feel cheated when affirmative action is taken away. By making affirmative action a class-based initiative, we help those who need help, regardless of race (Which still disproportionately helps minorities). It gives us the opportunity to maintain a system that helps minorities end the cycle of poverty while preventing us from fueling racial tensions.

That's how I see the topic of race. I again want to take this moment to say: I am in no way an expert on race issues, and I am open to discussion and grievances on this issue. With good evidence and a compelling argument, I could change my mind.

-Please Heed the Call

Economy

I tend to think of myself as a democratic social-capitalist.

Let's face it, a nation that is 100% socialist doesn't work. The people have no reason to take tough jobs or undesirable jobs. A nation that is 100% capitalist does not work. Businesses control the government, monopolies act unethically, and the needs of the people are too easily forgotten in the name of profit. Generally, an economy works best when you find the right balance between the two.

Where is that balance? Well, it depends on where you're at economically. If the top 1% of a nation controls 90% of the wealth, it's time to enact social reforms. If businesses are failing because they cannot afford to pay their laborers their wages, it's time to enact capitalist reforms. A democracy allows the people control over the economy in a way that balances the needs of the poor with the needs of the corporations.

I also believe that we need to cut the crap when we talk about the politics of economics. "Gas tax holidays" and offshore drilling are not any more of a cure for economic hardship than a $600 check from the government to "offset the declining value of your home". Let's get real. There's economic trouble a-brewin'. The government is in debt. People are in debt, and when the economy declines, that debt gets called in. People - myself included - will have to live within their means, tighten their belts, and try to pay off that debt. I'm actually already looking for a second job.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but I also believe that the government needs to raise our taxes. It is time for social reform, so raise the taxes for the wealthy more, but raise the taxes for everyone. The government needs to end the deficit spending and get out of debt. If the government had money, it would have the ability to help the people in future economic crises. Furthermore, our country cannot remain in debt forever. All loans have an interest rate. The quicker we pay off our outstanding debts, the less we will end up paying. America and Americans are going to have to learn to make more than the minimum payment if we want our economy to survive.

-Please Heed the Call

PS To all you congressmen out there, please enact legislation that limits all loans to 15% APR rates. Some of these credit card interest rates are unbelievable.

PS To all you lenders out there...don't allow a person to borrow more than they can afford.

PS To all you people out there...don't borrow more than you can afford. And don't get mad at me (I'm a real estate appraiser) if a lender tells you that you can't afford the home you want to buy because my opinion of value did not mesh well with your credit history. Think of it as me saving you from the agony of repossession. You're welcome.