Posted on 08/30/2002 8:59:47 PM PDT by JZoback
Though in principal I disagree with the concept of one man paying for another man’s transgressions, especially ones transgressions that happened a long, long, time ago and had nothing to do with myself or my family.
My family came over to the states in the 1880’s, we never owned slaves, did not own land or had servants, maids or butlers. I have about as much to do with slavery as I have to do with the Gettysburg address.
I have come to the conclusion that reparations should be paid to those who’s can demonstrate their ancestors were bought here as chattel slaves.
Here’s why and how it should be done.
Slavery is a stain upon the very fiber and tapestry of our great land. It is hard to believe that at one time it was legal and also morally acceptable to own another human being for the sole purpose of either enhancing yourself financial by profiteering off his labor, sweat and work or for the simple indulging in the life of easy pleasure.
People in the 1700’s and 1800’s would find abortion as abhorrent and morally repugnant then as we find chattel slavery today abhorrent and morally repugnant. Both at certain times seem like the cultural normal society.
In every problem there is a solution. The only way to resolve a problem is to look at every facet of it and correct the reasons why it became a problem.
Reparations should be looked at in the same way. We as a nation accepted slaves as a commodity, bought and sold for profit and pleasure. It was wrong then and we should finally look it square in the eye and face it. Finally put it to rest.
To address that issue we need to break down.
These items MUST be met before one penny is appropriated by Congress to pay reparations.
1. Slavery was brought to this land before we fought to be independent nation. Britain, Spain and France at one time owned parts of this country while slavery was practiced. Before one penny is appropriated by Congress to pay reparations, these countries must agree to share in the financial burden of repairing the damage done.
2. Since slavery was an actual commodity, there has to be a buyer and a seller to complete the transaction. Every nation on the west coast of Africa and smaller countries who willingly sold their people into bondage for a PROFIT must also share in the financial burden of reparations. Not one penny from Congress until these nations agree to pay their fair share.
3. The cost of ridding the land of slavery was a heavy one indeed. Many scores of thousands gave their lives to help fight this cause.* As many as 25% of Union soldiers also lost an limb. 40 % who went to battle were affected in some way. Those families must be compensated for their lose of potential income and wealth they did not have to chance to accumulate If we are going to pay the people who were oppressed, then we should pay the people who paid the ultimate price. A portion of reparations must be paid to those families before one penny from Congress is authorized.
4. Over the last 130 years since slavery was outlawed, we the people of the United States have paid for that legacy . We have paid in welfare support, food giveaway programs, college subsidies, free child care, the list is mind boggling endless. We have done enough, 130 years is long enough for a race to acclimate into the mainstream. Before congress appropriates one penny of money, every black citizen receiving federal, state and local welfare monies must sign an agreement the they will be ineligible to receive anymore payouts forever if they agree to accept reparations monies
5. Black America also has prospered. Any black American below the federal poverty line would be eligible for reparations monies. Every black above the poverty line would also have to pay, since they have demonstrated the ability to move up into middle America financial. Since we as a country love to tax progressively, any black American who’s income is in the top 5% of the income bracket would have to pay a special fee since the only way to get ahead in America was to oppress the black race, they especially deserve to pay more since it was their own people they profited off of. Not one penny from Congress until this is agreed to.
6. Once an agreement has been reached to pay reparations, any person receiving such payment will be now and forever more ineligible to receive any federal, state, local welfare or subsidies monies.
7. Before one penny is appropriated by Congress to pay reparations, race will no longer be an issue because reparations have healed the wound, all race based federal and state regulations will be taken off the books.
8. Before one penny is appropriated by Congress to pay reparations, race will no longer be a issue, all busing and integration laws will be taken off the books.
Since slavery was never just an American injustice, all nations and people involved should and will have to pay. Congress has the power to pay, they should make sure all parties involved in this despicable time in the worlds history all share the burden of correcting by financial penalty and FINALLY turning this ugly page of history.
We all have better things to do, like watch baseball.
Yes, it was, but slavery was the emotional tool to keep it going.
Hey, I'm not supposed to do that.
They banned me for telling the truth. Like that was a surprise.
But you are right.
That’s the kicker. Why do I suspect there would be "reparations syndrome", a future legal disability as a result of squandering reparations money. I just don't think it will ever end. There will always be some point of leverage that one group will try and have over another, such as guilt, and guilt has paid trillions in welfare so far.
Good luck on that one! ;-)
Seriously, I am against any sort of "reparation" about something that happened so long ago. But I like your thinking. You've given something tangible, without that "go back to Africa" Bravo Sierra that some of stupid here say.
Kudos to you for that.
If you can prove their ancestors are still alive, they should pay as much as you and I.
But would they be racist's?
We are going to pay at some point in time, might as well make everyone who was part of it, pay too.
UN ALERT: A UN declaration was written not to long ago that suggests that American blacks (educated, of course) be re-located to Africa (courtesy of the US fedgov) as part of any 'reparation solutions' are concerned....I posted a thread about it a while back, nevertheless, the info is in pdf format on the UN website.....I don't agree with them....just wanted to give you a 'fyi' on this subject
Hush yo' mouth!
Look, friend. If the day comes where reparations are actually paid, I'm going to die in the unsupported prone position because my conservatism and stance against them won't matter one bit then.
My skin will be my sin.
My point is real simple.
This issue is not going away, we might as well deal with it now and bring all parties to the table and make everyone pay who was part of this.
Every hear of too many cooks spoiling the stew. We bring enough parties to the table and force their hands. This issue might be put to bed sooner than later and certainly a lot less expensive.
It's a business deal.
I don't scare easily. I've seen my share of drama in the streets. But this stuff actually scares the hell out of me.
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