A growing segment of the population views primarily everything the Nation’s founders said with a healthy dose of skepticism. For various reasons, the distrust associated with the establishing principles of American democracy has legitimacy.
As the 2022 campaign season turns toward the general election, it’s hard watching as the plight of the poor and oppressed is again ignored by politicians alleging to represent the people. Unfortunately, economic pain seems to matter most when it affects stockholders and their dividends.
Rarely are solutions for poverty, inequality, housing, and hunger, paid attention to by those seeking votes. Yet, if you want to see politicians chomp at the bit, mention defending the police, incarcerating the underprivileged, and raising taxes, and suddenly it’s the lively art of conversation.
Ever wonder how candidates across the political spectrum dare to seek elected office without addressing the concerns of poor Americans?
Several years ago, when writing a book about governmental bureaucracies, their draining effect on American society was stunning. Especially during challenging economic times, it’s reasonable to ask why so many elected offices and the enormous staff required to operate them are needed. There’s nothing that says the government is immune to downsizing.
As the country experiences record-high gas prices, soaring interest rates, and food costs, Americans must tighten their belts. Although the masses are cutting back, it’s prudent to examine the salaries paid to elected officials who, permitted on their watch, runaway inflation, high-interest rates, and the possibility of the first recession since 2008.
Of course, Americans will pitch in, but they should repudiate the double standard and demand that the government assists by considering an outright elimination of unnecessary political offices and the bureaucracies they spawn.
The contention that the liberal wing of the Democratic Party wants to keep people impoverished is nearly as questionable as the notion that right-leaning Republicans want to help poor people with trickle-down Reaganomics.
United States democracy is in serious trouble and cutting the fat will help reduce the expenditure of taxpayer dollars on things that don’t directly benefit struggling families.
Those who are up against it know how tough systemic and economic favoritism is to defeat. It’s especially poignant to hear the working poor describe their plight and disillusionment with the farce that they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
Debunking the myth that anyone can overcome insurmountable obstacles is gaining momentum in the U.S.. More than ever, the impoverished and people of color recognize that the American dream is likely a fraud created by those entrusted with ensuring truth and fairness in government.
Never one to tolerate misconstruing his message or intent, the late Malcolm X pulled no punches in saying, “I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight.”
Anthony Stanford, who was named the 2014 Outstanding African American of the Year by the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board, is an opinion columnist and author of the book, “Homophobia in the Black Church: How Faith, Politics and Fear Divide the Black Community.”