Why are poor, uneducated Whites called “blue collar workers?”

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

As your daily politics watcher, it is my responsibility to raise concerns that are of interest to you. Since that is the case, I would like to pose a question: Why are poor, uneducated Whites called blue collar workers?

It is interesting to me that poor uneducated Whites get more credit and recognition than poor uneducated Blacks or Hispanics? As a matter of fact, most poor uneducated Blacks and Hispanics are not even thought of as likely voters. But not poor uneducated Whites. Poor uneducated Whites are give a fancy title, like NASCAR dads. Is something wrong with this picture or is it just me?

Why is it that when the Democratic primary came down to Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, poor uneducated Whites were the ones that everyone wanted Barack Obama to cater to? Do the poor make up a majority of the U.S. electorate? I’m just trying to understand what’s really going on.

100 Years later and ain’t a damn thing changed

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Earnest

by Earnest Gates

We are beginning to embark upon a series of centennials for Black organizations. If the founders of these organizations could have looked 100 years into the future and see what we see now, they would have closed their doors and accepted second class citizenship.

Look where we are today. The goal of the civil rights movement and movements before that one was not integration, it was equal opportunity and equal rights. The goal was not just to be able to go where White people can go and stay where White people can stay.

Does integration mean come and join me and shut down what you have? Of course, it doesn’t. In many ways “Black America” is worse off now than it was back then. Look at the number of Black men that are incarcerated, on parole or on probation. Look at the Black family today. Sometimes I wonder if there are people who are Black who benefit from Black misery.

We can not afford to wait another 100 years. Hell, in 100 years we may not even exist! It is either now or never. There is no waiting until tomorrow.

“We’re gonna party like its… 1992?”

Posted on July 9, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

Sound familiar? This is a line from Prince’s song, 1999. Why 1992? That is the year President Bill Clinton ran for President.

If you notice, we are starting to see a lot of similarities between Senator Barack Obama and Governor Clinton of 1992. Clinton ran a very centrist general election strategy and Obama is starting to do the same thing.

Now that I think about President Clinton, he didn’t do a bad job, and it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Obama was to govern like Clinton, but using 21st century methods. If you want a preview of what is ahead, go back and study the Clinton strategy of ’92. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Message to Obama supporters: What you can do now

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

Recently I wrote about how the Republican Party has used voter suppression methods to prevent Democratic supporters from voting. I will now tell you what you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen this time.

First, you can make sure you are registered to vote and others that you know are registered as well. Don’t wait until a month before the election; you need to check your registration status now!

Secondly, make sure that you don’t sign any petitions unless you see in writing exactly what you are signing. This technique has been used to register individuals as Republicans who have voted Democrat without their knowledge.

Thirdly, contact the local elections department to make sure that there will be enough voting machines in county wide election locations on Election Day and for early voting.

Speaking of early voting, make sure everyone you know knows that they can vote early to prevent having to wait in line on election day. Election day will be extremely hectic and you don’t want to get caught up if you can avoid it.

Next, learn about the Supreme Court. It has been said that the next president may have the opportunity to appoint as many as three Supreme Court justices. Those that will be retiring have kept the votes close on important issues. If John McCain is elected the court will become very conservative and this could effect civil rights legislation for the next 3 or 4 decades. Remember, these are lifetime appointments.

Lastly, know where Senator Obama stands on the issues. Go to his website and familiarize yourself with his policy issues so you can put them in your own words. This election is too important to leave it to chance or arrogance.

Lets take care of these things now and I will let you know more as we get closer to the election.

When all else fails, suppress the vote!

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

This is the first of a series of posts under this title. The main strategy to prevent Democratic victories is to suppress the vote. I would recommend that you watch the documentary, “American Blackout” and read the very telling book, “Stolen Again.”

Both of these resources tell the story of how the Republican Party has decided that they would rather suppress the vote of Blacks and other supports of a Democratic agenda than to persuade them to go a different route.

Contrary to some popular opinion, this country does not swing to the right. It is more center-left than center-right. Just take a look at the current tone of the country. We can not get rid of Bush and company fast enough! The plan when George W. Bush came to the White House was to maintain a permanent Republican majority. The country was even governed this way!

As a result of these actions, strategies were put in place to make sure that Republicans would get the upperhand in crucial elections in swing states. Here is an example: Do you think it was a coincedence that the 2000 election came down to Florida, when George Bush’s brother was the Governor of the state, and the Secretary of State Katherine Harris was the state chair of the Bush Chaney campaign?

How about the fact that the 2004 Presidential election came down to Ohio and Kenneth Blackwell (and he is Black) was the Secretary of State in Ohio and also chair of the Ohio Bush-Cheney campaign? Remember, the Secretary of the State is responsible for certifying the votes in each state. Don’t believe it? Check it out for yourself. This is just the first installment of a series that will be printed here at least weekly. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Swiftboat Watch, Day 1: David Freddoso writes first Barack Obama book

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

We all knew it was coming. Now is the time to look out. Get familiar with the name, David Freddoso. He is the author of the first book that is designed to fatally flaw Senator Obama as a candidate for President. The title of the book is “The Case against Barack Obama.” It will be released on August 4th. This is designed to take the steam out of Obama’s campaign and to cause those excited about it to take pause.

It seems like the Republican playbook only has about 20 pages in it and they use the same strategy every 4 years. In the words of Obama: NOT THIS TIME. The key to avoiding any attack is to know that it is coming. You have been warned!

A Perfect Storm – Obama and Clinton supporters must come together to win back Texas

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

Now that the general election campaign is under the way, it is time for mending fences between Obama supporters and the supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton. We in Texas have something even greater on the line.

We have a chance to begin the process of having a Democratic Texas once again. If we can get the new voters to turn out in the fall campaign, we will be able to successfully take back the House in Austin and work toward taking back the Senate.

The one thing that can prevent this from happening would be a lack of party unity. The primary is over and there are some hurt feelings on both sides. However, the question that I ask is: Is it worth it to take a chance on blowing the opportunity to win Texas in November? Democrats will only have themselves to blame if this doesn’t happen. I look forward to hearing from you.

How Lowe Can You Go? DISD school board ethics policy needed

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

As some of you are aware, Dallas ISD does not have an ethics policy. As a matter of fact, the newly re-elected Board President Jack Lowe’s company has received over $9 million from the district while he has been a sitting board member. Can you imagine one of the Black board members reaping these types of benefits while sitting on the school board? The pressure from the media, not to mention the local community would be immense to force him/her to resign from the board.

I would like to commend Board Member Carla Ranger for having to courage to bring this issue to the board and the public prior to the bond election. Can you believe she could not even get a second on the motion to discuss an ethics policy? What is really going on? How low will Jack Lowe continue to get contracts for his company while sitting on the board? It is time for us to tell Jack Lowe that he must go.

Just because she’s married to Bill…

Posted on May 8, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

I am sure most of you have heard by now that Senator Hillary Clinton is saying that she is the candidate that has the best chance to win the White House because of her support by hard working, white Americans. I was just absolutely shocked to hear her say this.

However, we often think just because Bill Clinton grew up in a multicultural environment doesn’t mean Hilllary did as well. Hillary actually grew up in Republican household who was a College Republican. Warning: Do not be surprised anything Hillary Clinton tries from her.

She is desperate to get the nomination. If the superdelegates, and specifically party elders don’t shut this thing done now, she will definitely feel the wrath of Obama supporters all over the country.

Did Pennsylvania voters say “I may be poor, but I’m White?”

Posted on May 1, 2008 by Earnest

By Earnest Gates

The Pennsylvania primary for the Democratic nomination will be a case study for years to come. One thing that stood out to me is how someone could live in an area where the jobs have been sent overseas and the very life you are used to has changed, how easy it is to blame people who don’t look like you or live like you for what the government has allowed to happen.

I have to agree with the comments that Senator Barack Obama made related to the condition of the Pennsylvania blue collar workers. Comments that he also used to describe urban blacks. If they would be honest, I think they would agree too. Just as alcoholics drink when times get rough, so too do people cling to those things they value the most.

And you know what, it’s easier to cling to your culture than to deal with the fact that every four years you get played. It’s a lot easier to accept when you are poor, that as long as I am White I still am better than a middle class Blacks or Hispanics.

In this country, White has always been a birthright of privilege. So being poor has been O.K. at least you could count on your whiteness. And last week, so said many blue collar White Pennsylvanians.