Keyes has plans for reparations

Chicago Tribune ^ | 8/17/04 | Allison Benedikt and David Mendell

[Aquinasfan]

One day after their first meeting, U.S. Senate hopefuls Barack Obama and Alan Keyes were back on the campaign trail again Monday.

Speaking at a news conference at the Hotel InterContinental in Chicago, Republican Keyes added to his now familiar talking points his stance on slavery reparations.

Prompted by a reporter's question, Keyes gave a brief tutorial on Roman history and said that in regard to reparations for slavery, the U.S. should do what the Romans did: "When a city had been devastated [in the Roman empire], for a certain length of time--a generation or two--they exempted the damaged city from taxation."

Keyes proposed that for a generation or two, African-Americans of slave heritage should be exempted from federal taxes--federal because slavery "was an egregious failure on the part of the federal establishment." In calling for the tax relief, Keyes appeared to be reaching out to capture the black vote, something that may prove difficult to do, particularly after his unwelcome reception at the Bud Billiken Day Parade Saturday...

[Little Ray]

That would irritate me - it would strike me as reverse discrimination. But I would not be inclinded towards violence, which is my response to "Reparations."

[cyborg]

If you don't think the effects of slavery isn't being felt today, you're mistaken. Money will not solve the problems however.

[concerned about politics]

this morning that said that 80% of Howard Stern listeners would vote for Kerry if Stern told them too. I think I will go back to bed.

So would those who love the Jerry Springer show.
Don't worry. They've always been the democrat base anyway - obviously.

If I heard those who watch the History Channel were all voting democrat, I'd panic!

[TomGuy]

ALAN KEYES IS MAKING A MESS
	Posted by Sub-Driver On 08/17/2004 8:50:14 AM CDT · 20 replies michellemalkin.com ^ | 08/17/04 | Michelle Malkin

[Bob J]

"Bush gave tax refunds to many of us --- why not use tax cuts and tax relief? Those who don't work aren't going to get a tax break."

I see. So the only ones benefiting would be wealthy blacks? Well, I guess they need it the most and by the size of their bank accounts one can see they have suffered the most at the hands of a racist, oppressive white man.

[technochick99]

ping

[malakhi]

ANY government policy that treats people differently based on their color, race, heritage, national origin, 140 year old ancestry is wrong.

I find it amazing that it took 72 posts for someone to point out the obvious.

[TigersEye]

Paid in blood

I bet that it comes out that this was deliberate political spin by Keyes opponents trying to weaken his support with IL Republicans.

It looks like a lot of FReepers are thirsty for Kool Aid. The Chicago Tribune is serving unlimited refills.

[cyborg]

Black people were not miraculously made equal right after slavery.

[Callahan]

Yes, but we have since removed the public, hardcore racism that doubtless hindered black economic development in the the two generations following the Civil War. Today's blacks should leap at the chance to keep what they earn and operate at a huge advantage to their white counterparts. Unfortunately, their political class will tell them to choose handouts. That's what Keyes is trying to expose.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not immediately. But it would not be hard. It is well known that a disproportionate number of blacks are living below the national median of $28,528. The bottom HALF of taxpayers pay only 3.97% of income taxes. http://www.house.gov/jec/press/2003/09-26-03b.htm

[Right_Handed_Writer]

I knew I would find someone hitting the nail on the head. Keyes is not in this thing to win, he is in it to put Obama in the pigeon hole he blongs in. The far, far left. He will be as controversial as he always is, for the sake of discussion. Making Sense, it's what he is all about. The topic is now up for discussion, the left has already had it on the table, now what do they do?

Obama will have to defend a position, a left position. Keyes frames it in a conservative position, give the people the choice of what to do. Same as Rev Al said, 40 acres and a mule. But 21st centruy style!

And Keyes, by Making Sense, just might make this a real race.

[LouD]

Well, Keyes just lost the white, hispanic, asian, and aborigine vote.

Not to mention the Carthaginians.

[jamaly]

Well, that might be okay. My only stipulation would be that during that time no black can receive any government handout paid for with tax dollars. That would mean a large reduction in our welfare, food stamps, public housing, medicaid, WIC, Aid to Dependent Children and probably many other tax funded programs. If they agree to live by those rules, I think I can live with it.

[Bob J]

This was an unbelievably stupid comment from Keyes. In effect, he just legitimized the entire reparations question and put it on the table.

To all of those supporting this statement (only because it came from Alan Keyes), what would your response have been if it came from Jesse Jackson?

[Maigrey]

Uhhh. Last time I checked, those generations have come and gone.....

Talk about pandering.

[cyborg]

Why? Are you threatened by such a discussion?

[TigersEye]

TE: Slavery hasn't materially effected the lives of blacks today? Are you series?

NS: No, but I am serious.

Then why are we having a discussion about reparations? Why was there a civil rights movement? Why were there Jim Crowe laws? Why is there affirmative action? Why was there a KKK? Why, for that matter, were there a 14th and 15th Amendments?

If the effects of slavery ended with the end of slavery all those things make no sense.

[Tallguy]

The lib establishment will naturally decry this idea, even though exemption from the federal income tax would be a huge advantage/incentive for all black people.

I suppose that all depends on just how much the average black of slave heritage is actually paying in federal taxes. With the EITC a lot of lower income citizens are paying little if anything in the way of federal taxes to begin with.

[harrycarey]

Has Keyes lost his mind?

What do you call three decades of the Great Society?

And does Colin Powell get a tax cut? Michael Jordan? A-rod?