Ralph Nader tells the TRUTH and Barack Obama fails to Address the Real Issue
"Obama wants to show that he is not as threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician...He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful." –Ralph Nader
"Obama wants to show that he is not as threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician...He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful." –Ralph Nader
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards." –Ralph Nader
Now, what is wrong with both statements? If Obama was a "threatening" black man he would be on the sidelines watching. No doubt! Obama can't be black power this and black power that; and get elected in America which means he can't be forthright about issues like the exploitation of poor black neighborhoods. He would surely be an Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, Jim Brown, etc. if he did stand behind the issues that affect Shaquita and Tyrone. Not to take anything away from Brown, Farrakhan, and Sharpton considering I love me some black nationalistic chatter and efforts, neither would ever be president of these United States. They are too black, while Obama is not. Well, he can’t give any suggestions that he is! He fits right in with what the liberals want from a black man: 'Don't you rock the boat, Black Boy.'
Again, Barack needs to stop whining! "Inflammatory"? Whatever! Every time someone makes an accurate statement or close to accuracy about him he coins it as inflammatory. How about it is the truth? And, besides Nader’s statement about him “talking white” only meant that Barack Obama’s leash tightens when he talks that black talk and loosens when he stay in the liberal world. Which one would you chose: choking or breathing?
Written by Muata. Inspired by Ralph Nader!
Written by Muata. Inspired by Ralph Nader!
23 comments:
Reader Y Responds:
Nader needs to shut up! I agree with EJ that Obama shouldn't even waste his energy responding to Nader's idiotic comments. This whole "act black/act white" "talk black/talk white" stuff really bothers me. Why is it that if you use proper English and you have more of a conservative (and yet still powerful) stance or personality that's deemed as "white?" Not just by white folks but black folks as well. I think to say that now, in the 21st century, that a race of people, for example black people, is only considered "authentic" by it's own people and others if they speak slang as a first language, and are loud, angry, flamboyant, etc. is ignorant. We're at a point now that black people are diverse like everyone else. Also, Obama can not just be the president for black folks. This country is made up of $200,000+ million folks and blk folks are the 3rd largest (about to be the 4th largest ethnic group) in America. Therefore he has to appeal to ALL people not just what's considered the black issues.
-Y
Muata Responds to Y:
nader at one time was 'okay' among the black population. he was an alternative to the status quo. now, a black-white man makes us feel like we are at church and everything and everybody else who black folk liked are shunned. barack is nothing more than a puppet for white liberals and a savior for black folk. a liberal is not needed to rectify america's problems. another savior is unnecessary too. now, please lets stop getting pissed when someone offends cry baby barack. focus on the truth nader said:
"I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that?"
obama has not addressed any of the above. these are the poor man's issues. the black man issues. ride through the black 'non-i have arrived neighborhoods' in america. what will you see?
barack can't come close to addressing the issues that typically affect black people or the POOR. he has with the WEALTHY cuban americans and jewish americans! he can't not win if he does chat about black issues!. therefore, he is a... you tell me what he is! i have a name for him. a man who will not stand behind the poor, disadvantage, etc. btw, there are more poor and disadvantage black folk in america than us Mercedes driving and oversized owning home black folk. let's remember them. they go to work under horroble conditions on the daily: asbestos/lead. they have no gas for their cars. they are losing their homes: predatory lending. they are hungry! address them, Mr. Barack!! he will not. too scared to. he needs the white man to get to that white house.
-Muata
Reader EJ Responds:
You sound ignorant!!!!! Have you even seen his story? To assume that someone can't service a certain sector of our community unless they have spent half of their life in that sector is absolutely preposterous. On one hand people cry about the fact that he hasn't much experience....and now since he has gotten the nomination niggaz like you complain about the fact that he hasn't touched on EVERY issue in every community. Just vote for who you want to vote for....and let go of the guilt you feel as a black man who doesn't "really support" barack. You don't have to nit pick barack to death in order to justify how you voted.
-EJ
Muata Responds to EJ:
You can't have a discussion without getting offensive or emotional when it comes
to Barack. What does that tell me: you have not invested in a critical assessment of Barack. I bet you can not tell me his view on NAFTA. So, stop standing behind a man just because he is black and makes you feel good.
Black folk Barack2vote but liter their hoods with trash.
Black folk are so typical. Will not scrutinize him because he speaks well. Will not scrutinize because he makes you tingle with words. He needs to be nit-picked. Why not?
And, before I continue this ignorant discussion with you please list his positions on all the critical issues being discussed today. You won't do it because you are with Obama just because he is BLACK.
Barack is weak. Time will tell.
Muata adds the following to his statement to EJ:
You have not addressed a thing Nader said. Nothing. By the way, he explained himself on the Tom Joyner show this morning. I did not need the explanation. Nader was right on: Barack is removed from the real issues. Nader has been in the trenches for over 50 years. Barack was a community organizer for 3 years. I have more experience with the downtrodden than he does.
-Muata
Reader AJ responds:
I love my people. But I realize it's beyond my skin color. I don't work with just my people. I don't live in a city with just my people. I rely on services that aren't controlled by just my people. Just my people will NOT get Barrack elected. Because we live in the melting pot, focus and concern has to be for PEOPLE. Not just black people. I want a president who can be concerned about what is good for all people and act on behalf of ALL.
We have had eight years of Bush doing what was best for HIS people. Result we ALL are suffering. Chris Rock said it best " If a kid at the resgister at Mc Donalds is short five dollars you fire him. Bush is short a Trillion dollars and you put him back in office? ! "
Well I could go on but I got work to do!
Happy Friday!!
-AJ
AJ Responds to Muata:
So you voting for Nader or McCain?
-AJ
Reader DM responds to Muata:
The danger in your comments is that you ASSUME that we (Black people) aren't being critical just because Barack is Black. I saw nothing in anyone's comments to suggest such and I hate when people minimize my intelligence just to try to prove their point. The bottom line is: No Man ever placed in office for Presidency for this United States will ever be perfect and fulfill the needs of all. Again, No Man (or Woman) can do this.
You are also talking about 2 different topics. I thought the topic was whether or not Barack "ACTS" black enough. Not all these other things you mentioned. Now what you are saying is that Blacks should only care about issues that deal with blacks or dwell in black neighborhoods? We shouldn't care about what goes on beyond the walls of the black community? I hope this isn't what you are saying as this could be counterproductive to everyone, including blacks. The
President has the power to make decisions that will affect the entire U.S., not just the black community. Don't box yourself in to a mindset that benefits no
one.
-DM
Muata Responds to DM:
If I insulted anyone's intelligence I apologize. I am sincere about that.
The conversation has evolved, DM.
All I am saying is I want Barack to show some backbone. Step out a limb and speak for the people. The poor too. He has not thus far. If he has hinted to the poor man's issues it has been in such a way not to make his liberal supporters uncomfortable. He has stayed away from issues that Nader spoke about. He will not participate in town hall meetings that are not scripted. What is he afraid of: a question from that poor mother who is concerned about healthcare?
I want him to at least give the presentation he cares about what MOST black folk face on the daily. Ralph Nader touched on those topics, and all Barack could do was fire back with a response that proved he was on the defense and that showed his camp mis-understood Nader's point: Barack is a puppet. He has to stay mainstream to keep those folk votes.
Also, why are we (black people) all of a sudden not concern about what specifically happens or does not happen in our community? Why are we not challenging Barack to address our issues like we did with Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Reagan? Why??
-Muata
Reader AE Responds:
I'm just catching up on this one, but I'm definitely diggin' the various commentary on the matter. I have to say, you're a pretty articulate bunch, as far as Black folk go.
From a purely pragmatic perspective, if that zinger in my last statement above made you say "WTF!", or 'No he didn't!", then you'll understand my point, and that is: the question shouldn't be what's wrong with Nader's comments (no offense B), rather we should be asking "under what circumstances would Nader's comments be acceptable." Allowing Nader's remarks to stand without challenge, would only play into the stereotypes given to our culture. In marketing/advertising terms, it would become a "brand attribute", which strengthens the "brand". However, in most cases it is not a "brand" that Black folks have purposely chosen for themselves.
I'm glad to see the public discourse, because, in part, that's what it takes to combat the ignorance that we've allowed to plague our society.
--
-AE
Muata Responds to AE:
Would we please forget about the part of Nader's statement that got us up in arms: "talking white". Focus on the real issues Nader mentioned. Are those important to us or we just going to get boggled down in part of a statement that was mis-understood?
-Muata
Reader EJ Responds:
You (Muata) spend so much time being critical and cynical....that you cant see anything
else. That way of thinking could cause health problems...i.e. STRESS.
-EJ
Reader EJ Responds to the group:
Somebody out of this bunch needs to run for public office. Great conversation.
-EJ
Muata Responds to EJ:
i agree too. we appear to care about OUR issues. where barack does not and/or cannot show it. a weakling. my uncle raymond told me one day, "Be a Man!" i asked what are you taking about, and he said: "Always stand by what you believe, tell the truth, and never be controlled by the white man." i thank him for that advice. barack has not stood behind what he believes in the public. we all know he is a black radical pretending to be a "in-the-middle type of guy". we all know he dissed his life long friend under pressure. we all know that most of his dollars come from liberal white folk thus the reason he avoids and ignores middle and lower class black folk.
-Muata
EJ Responds:
Im lost. The Conservatives say barack only cares for the poor and will only raise taxes on the rich in order to service their needs......Now you say he is clueless of what the poor needs and refuses to address healthcare issues and runs from town hall debates. He cant be both, so who is lying?
-EJ
Muata Responds to EJ:
no one is lying. i see barack through my lenses. i see a politician who claims he wants to change politics - but has not risen above the typical washington politics: only pander to those who you will REALLY need in the end! barack is like all the rest. but, so many cannot see that because he preaches at campaign rallies. the affect preachers have on people??? i really need to go into that line of worrk. i will have a following. they will be blindly dedicated. and they will defend me irresponsibly when a legitimate argument about my dealings/positions are challenged.
now, do understand that i am not saying those of us fall into this category - but THOUSANDS OF US DO.
-Muata
DM Responds to a Muata Comment:
Excellent point. He should speak his intentions for all Americans, including poor or under priviledged blacks. I for one will hold him to the same standards as other U.S. Standards
-DM
Reader AJ Responds:
I love to be in the company of thinking compassionate people.
-AJ
EJ Responds to DM's point:
Excellent Point!
-EJ
DM Responds to AE's comment:
Thanks for your perspective on this. It irks me (not you B) when people generalize for any reason. Not all blacks like chicken and watermelon, wear their pants sagging, say “Fixin To” when announcing their intentions, have big lips, grab their d*cks when walking, or use chopped up, slang tainted grammar.
Just like not all white people smell like dogs, have lice, can swim, etc. This wouldn’t even be an issue if Barack’s complexion was not melanin rich. The funny thing is some of us (Blacks) will pigeon hole ourselves into a culture that we feel all of us should adhere by. Yes, Barack has more melanin than his rival, but that doesn’t mean he should act in any way other than what he feels comfortable with.
-DM
Reader Y Responds:
People are entitled to have their reasons why they choose to support a candidate. As wrong as we may think it is...it is their right. B, you mentioned something about asking black people on the street why they are voting for Barack. Have you done that? If you have and they gave the "we need a change" response, did you challenge them to express what does that mean or what change means to them?" If you have that's cool. Pls discuss your findings in further detail. But if you haven't you are doing a lot of preaching from the sidelines. I know you guys had the whole "generalizing" conversation already but when you throw out thousands of black folks feel this and feel that and most black folks...what are you basing that on? Did you take a poll of a thousand black folks? Did you do any research? I personally can't support any of that stuff if it's not supported by factual data.
I support Obama because I do agree with most of his agendas (healthcare, education, economy, some of his foreign affair strategies). I think he inspires people and what's wrong with providing inspiration and hope? Isn't that what MLK did? I'm totally not comparing the two situations or men the only point I'm trying to make is that Martin inspired people and that lead to action. Not just by Martin but a lot of black people and a lot of white people to do something to make this better for all. When I listen to his speeches I don't walk away thinking, "Oh I can't wait until he gets into office so he can solve all of my problems!!" No president or anyone in local/state office will do that. I personally believe that he would be the best person to bring the country together and maybe some of the things that he proposes will eventually help me and a lot of Americans. He inspired a lot of young people and black people to vote and to get involved. I think that's incredible!! His speeches have inspired me to really examine the election process and get more involved with what's going on in my local government. Yes, I should of been looking at it before but I wasn't and I can't change the past. I agree that he needs to discuss his strategies on handling the poverty issue which is affecting a lot of people from every race. And yes, I think the country was in better shape when Bill C was in office. The economy was strong, people had jobs, people were investing. Yes, he had his faults (everyone does) but I think he did a better job than GWB.
-Y
Reader ER Responds:
Good point, Y. I would be interested to see both quantitative and qualitative data/results to a true research question regarding folks' thoughts, feelings, and reactions to this entire political process and the history its creating. Anecdotal evidence is great, but it only carries so much weight - its the empirical evidence (sans the researchers' opinions and biases as much as possible) that's going to tell the true story and the pending impact of all of this.
my 2cents,
ER
Muata Responds to Y:
I have conducted a mini-survey. I have asked the question "why" when people say that they are voting for Barack.
I base my beliefs about what black folk will or will not do on history. Black people are known for not voting thus the reason most politicians ignore us. We have created a situation that resemble a we do not care disposition. You cannot doubt that. We have been the worst when it comes to speaking via the vote! Yes, more of us voted in the primaries and I am elated by this.
One can vote for whatever reason they want. However, the vote is empty if he/she have done nothing to change their plight, and this is my general point. Most black folk can careless about NAFTA, Iraq, immigration, and job outsourcing.
You know this and everyone reading does! Our method of laziness to change our world has not changed. We still liter our companies. Black men still leave their children behind. We don't volunteer the way we should. We do more praying when we should be acting/working to make that change.
Just remove yourself and the others reading from the equation. We are more than likely doing the opposite of what I accuse. Just focus on all the ignorance bleeding from our communities. This is where the change needs to be made. Travel down to the projects, and ask the right questions, and you will see part of the picture that I am trying to paint. We cannot forget the bros and sistas in the trenches. They need the mind shift.
I am happy that Barack has inspired some people. Good for him and those inspired. I am just not completely sold on him because he does not meet all my criteria. I thought I was sold - but the more I listened to him the more I realized that anybody can talk about change and get elected during and considering this governmental climate. Barack has capitalized off this, and he has used it effectively. This is not to suggest he is not sincere. I am only saying this: he is a politician. They are the same on the national level. They have to be because we, the people, have create a situation whereby we accept the lying and pandering. We have not challenged them or demanded that they change or else. Nope we have been sideline folk!
I say, be your own change mechanism. If we are waiting on government to change the day the day we experience we are fools. Barack is not my savior. I am. I am proud of him - but I see him as weak and a man who has to do what needs to be done to secure votes from the voting block that will get him into office: white liberals. The black vote will help but just by doing the math our votes do not even tilt the scale that much at all. So, this part of the reason he has ignored the issues that affect black folk the most. Typical democrat move, and we still flock out and support a democratic ticket that has taken us for granted.
We were once republicans back in the day. We need to consider a more conservative approach. I did not say support McCain. Ask any wealthy person, successful athlete, dynamic businessman what is the basis or foundation of their success, and they will say things that resemble or reflect a conservative approach. That is true.
Please keep in mind that I think from a black nationalism concept. I want us to get ourselves together and create an economic base within our communities. Be free from majority control, and it can be done.
-Muata
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