Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Republicans have got the exact wrong approach to winning the trust and support of the black community if they "think they have to devise earmarked benefits for blacks," Thomas Sowell explains. Instead, Republicans should point out how their general principles help all Americans, whereas Democratic policies -- which are often fueled by fringe special interest groups -- impose myriad obstacles that make it difficult for blacks to succeed. Dr. Sowell continues,
With all the Republican politicians' laments about how overwhelmingly blacks vote for Democrats, I have yet to hear a Republican politician publicly point out the harm to blacks from such policies of the Democrats as severe housing restrictions, resulting from catering to environmental extremists.
If the Republicans did point out such things as building restrictions that make it hard for most blacks to afford housing, even in places where they once lived, they would have the Democrats at a complete disadvantage.
It would be impossible for the Democrats to deny the facts, not only in coastal California but in similar affluent strongholds of liberal Democrats around the country. Moreover, environmental zealots are such an important part of the Democrats' constituencies that Democratic politicians could not change their policies.
Although Republicans would have a strong case, none of that matters when they don't make the case in the first place. The same is true of the effects of minimum wage laws on the high rate of unemployment among black youths. Again, the facts are undeniable, and the Democrats cannot change their policy, because they are beholden to labor unions that advocate higher minimum wages.
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Comments :
Sep '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Love Dr. Sowell, but which policies exactly? Examples of laws that jack up housing prices with only marginal benefit would go a long way toward helping others make an argument. At this point, I would find it difficult to make any case against a bunch of sanctimonious liberals.
Dec '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Thanks for sharing Diane.
Dr. Sowell illustrates that liberalism is a promise whereas conservativism is an argument.
Jun '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
In general the housing policies that Dr. Sowell is referring to are local or municipal in nature, which makes it difficult to name them as they vary from city to city. As a general rule any municipal government law that restricts the freedom of land owners raises the cost of housing. Examples would include zoning restrictions, lot size restrictions, set-back requirements, building-envelope constraints, development cost charges to pay for "green" initiatives, open/recreational space dedications, riparian rights setbacks, etc. The foregoing list presents only a few examples. I'm sure that if you spend a little time in discussion with your municipal planning (differently named in different cities) office you, too, can generate a list particular to your municipality.
Mar '11
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
As usual, Dr. Sowell is spot on. Among many problems here in California are silly "open space" laws that drive up the cost of land, "green energy" programs that drive up the cost of building, and redevelopment agencies, that drive out small businesses in favor of developer and corporate welfare.
Jan '11
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Dr. Sowell's point, one that he has been making for years in his books and commentary, is that environmentalists and private home owners push for laws that restrict new building starts for personal gain. His favorites relate to coastal California, but it's pretty much a countrywide issue. It’s simple, really: With no new building, old building prices go up, and high prices keep the riffraff out of the neighborhood. Environmental restriction make “greenies” feel good, but it’s plain selfishness at the expense of others.
That concept is very well developed by Dr. Sowell in many writings, but suffice it to note that there really are numerous examples of how personal self interest and environmental ego-stroking have kept housing prices high, in most cases for no reason other than selfishness, of one sort or another.
Dec '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
There's some irony in the fact that liberal do-gooders who push the policies that extinguish diversity in housing also produce radio spots like this one. If you happen to be struggling with your weight (as most of us back woods, conservative hicks surely are) and think bulimia might be the answer, poke around on the NFHA's website a little. Dr. Sowell nails it, of course, but I'm repeating myself.
Mar '11
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Besides being one of the great economic and philosophical minds of our time, Dr. Sowell deserves effusive praise for having the self confidence to wear eyeglasses made from the rear split-window of a salvaged 1963 Corvette.
Dec '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Perhaps the glasses are why he has such a large field of view encompassing the entire world and sees it all so clearly...
Nov '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Are young speechwriters reading his columns/books?
Dec '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
He uses them, because only the glass from a rare-ish Corvette would do.
We can't have a man of this stature looking through Edsel windows, now can we?
Besides, thin glasses would make him look like some kind of hipster or scruffy old 1960's misanthrope.
Right now, he's got The Look™, and it works pretty well for him.
Sep '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Sowell is a true scholar, and a genius and he himself is black, but I don't think he really knows the politics of the black community. Arrogant of me, I know, but that's how strongly I hold this particular opinion. Actually, being who he is, it isn't surprising that Thomas Sowell might not be any more in touch with ordinary black voters than I am
There is something horribly out of line if any group votes for one party more than 90% - let's start with that. It is irrational. Blacks voting for Democrats is an integral part of the modern victim narrative. It goes beyond issues and measurable self-interest. The issue that trumps everything is the need to perpetuate the idea that African Americans must vote for one party together, no matter what. This keeps the illusion alive.
It is a completely psychological and sociological phenomenon, it is not political. Until Republicans understand that, they won't crack the code.
May '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
I understand the reality of policies, but can Republicans really make those arguments. Can they even mention race without the story becoming how racist they are? I am not sure, with the MSM being like it is, that anything can be done.
Jun '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Sowell knows exactly the politics of the Black community. He is just discouraged by it. Most of the informed, older, successful Blacks I know, agree completely with TS. And they too are discouraged. Dr. Sowell, Alan West, JC Watts, Condi Rice, Bill Cosby, Walter Williams, Herm Cain, et. al. are slowly but surely making progress. Luckily MSM is also loosing ground. It's a long process, but if they keep at it, the benefits will eventually be reaped. (That's the optimist in me speaking.)
Nov '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
"It requires courage to cast the accumulated myths of a lifetime to the wind. Our natural desire for simplicity, certitude, and the approval of others occasionally causes us to defend even our most flawed worldviews as if our very lives depended on them. Dead belief systems are difficult to bury, for in doing so we enter a world we do not recognize; we watch the carefully crafted towers of our understanding crash down in ruins; and we lose an integral piece of the only reality we have known, reinforced and imprinted on our minds by a thousand voices, internal and external."
- John Perazzo
Dec '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
I also would say that Sowell is keenly aware of the politics of the black community and that is the reason he has been harping on the Republican approach to winning over blacks for the last 30+ years. The basic Republican strategy towards blacks has been a) ignore them they or going to vote Dem anyway or b) pander to them in an effort to convince them you aren't racist.
A) Isn't true and the very fact that Black conservatives and libertarians exist is proof of that and B) will never ever happen. If ask any black rightwinger why they are rightwing it always boils down to arguments and facts about the effects of liberal policies on the black community. They either discovered for themselves or met someone who laid out the case that liberalism is systematically destroying black people in this country. That is the only way the right has ever won a black vote and its a travesty that Republicans at a national level are too scared of being called a racist to actually lay out the arguments.
Oct '10
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
It's pointless this election cycle anyway...
Mar '11
Re: Thomas Sowell on Republicans and the Black Vote
Of course Sowell is right, but the housing issue is one that affects only a small number of big-city voters.
What about things like public "education" that consigns most black children to an environment where it is not physically safe, and also not psychically safe to be a student and prepare to advance yourself? Substandard "free" health care? Social Security taxes that significantly detract from a worker's ability to build wealth? Liberal policies and programs place any number of obstacles in the way of any relatively poor American who wants to improve his circumstances or that of his progeny.
Conservative policies are good for everyone except the special interests that the Democratic Party is beholden to. Blacks are not a special interest. Conservatives should make a long-term, intentional effort to educate blacks as to how liberal policies are problematic. Life-long Democrat voters may not be the appropriate audience--focus on younger folks.