A sadday for America and the civil rights movement

[Field King]

For the 1st time in my adult life I am ashamed of my country, I thought the work of the civil rights movement for African Americans the last 40 years had made great progress, but after this election I see we have taken a step back 50 years or more. I have done my own poll by watching interviews of African American voters on the following networks : CNN, MSNBC, FOX, CNBC, CBS, NBC. 99% percent of those voters when asked why they voted for Obama all replied in one form or another that it was about time we had a black man in the White house, that this was a historic moment, that they thought they would never see this day. That now young African Americans can look to Obama and see that they too can achieve anything. In summary of that poll we can see that those voters decided on whom to vote for by the color of the candidates skin rather than on the issues or personal achivement or backgrounds or experience. Exactly what the civil rights movement was fighting against (being judged by color of skin) the moment they got a chance to show that they fought to have the opportunity to choose a candidate on the " CONTENT OF THEY'RE CHARACTER AND NOT THE COLOR OF THEY'RE SKIN" they messed it up and chose by skin color. To be fair 1 voter said she voted for Obama because now and I will quote her "I will never again have to worry about my mortgage payment or gas bill again, if I help him he will help me" Now I am fine if the PEOPLE of this great nation vote Obama the Commander in Chief based on the facts of the issues and his experience and background but appears this was not the case.

[Clay]

Funny thing is he's not even really black. His dad was more arab than anything, and his mom was a white woman from the US!

[BloodEclipse]

Originally Posted by Clay

Funny thing is he's not even really black. His dad was more arab than anything, and his mom was a white woman from the US!

That would have only mattered if he was a Republican. then those who worship at his feet would instead be calling him an Uncle Tom. Look at how they treated Judge Thomas,Colin Powell, Condi Rice. So it wasn't just about Race... he just happened to have a D after his name as well.

[mospeada]

I really don't blame any person of color for voting for Obama based on that. This was a first time for that barrier to be broken and they get on pass from me. I hope that race can now not be as much a factor (you'll always have racists on both sides) and we can start picking them the good old fashion way, by who spends the most. If this is truly a factor of voting strictly on race, we may never have another white president.

[Field King]

The disturbing part for me is they were almost all NEW voters, it was great to get so many 1st time voters into the booths, however it remains a fact that the only reason so many of those decided to vote for the 1st time is BECAUSE there was a black candidate TO VOTE FOR, which testifies that they would not have voted had both candidates been white. We need to all be voting under the following issues (race not being one of them) * background history * experience * content of character * previous voting record in the house or Senate * plan of action for they're time in office * National security issues * Healthcare * Taxes * and other important issues, not color of skin. I am hopeful that those who voted for the wrong reason will now become more informed and as you said that barrier has been broken now, however if they were wrong we will be voting to un-due the harm that was done if in fact the wrong candidate was put in office out of Racial vengeance and his ability to govern does more harm than good to the core issues and policys that make this country great, let us remember that 57 million voted the other way and there is hopefully a move to middle ground where we can all feel Represented, not subjected to a radical pull to the left or right, but where the Constitution is followed as it is written and not interpreted according to political views.

[96harley]

Color doesn't matter but character does. Now we can truly see the real character of black Americans nationwide. This goes for the one who won the office and those who placed him there.

[Mr.Hoppes]

I believe race had a part in the voting and getting people to vote. SO ? It isn't like this is the first time.

The man is a politician and was questionably qualified. So to say that black Americans would have voted for any black man regardless of his qualifications is wrong in my opinion. The fact of the matter is that racism is still very strong in America and will never be over. For so many years a group of people were denied their humanity, and now we want them to just get over it? The climate in this country is unbelievable. To expect people who are still today denied many things because of their skin color, to just forgive the past and to move on because it is better? The fact that there are so many "watch groups" is proof that racism is still alive. If it weren't these groups would have nothing to watch. Major cities north and south, racism runs both sides and in other dimensions as well.

I don't care who won, neither was a good choice for president in my opinion.
But who could blame a people who have been denied their very humanity and still face an ongoing battle for their rights, to vote for the first person, who can in some fashion understand first hand their plight? Come on. What did you expect?

I would hope that one day this country can get beyond having one person lead us and let " we the people " back into the process. We all have been excluded. As long as the issues come between us, so deeply, we will never regain control of the machine. As we argue these issues and continue the cycle, we will continue to loose our freedoms and the machine we created will rule over us. If you think we don't serve the machine just don't pay your taxes and see where you go. Stand in opposition to the political machine and see what happens. This country's government is out of control and we continue to bicker over issues instead of fixing the system that fosters the divisions.

ok rant over... Whew.. Just had to get that out..

[Crystalship1]

We must forgive the Naïveté of the young voters. Remember what Benjamin Franklin said; "A young man who is not a liberal has no heart but an old man who is not a conservative has no brain."

Now as for all those who are NOT young...........

[ATM]

Originally Posted by Crystalship1

"A young man who is not a liberal has no heart but an old man who is not a conservative has no brain."

My brain adapted to pumping blood in the absence of a heart.

[Crystalship1]

Originally Posted by ATM

My brain adapted to pumping blood in the absence of a heart.

Well..... I must agree as I too was a Conservative even when young.