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...

[Mike Bates]

One take into consideration, the Times and Tribune in Chgo. are liberal and the slant they put on this is to be taken with a grain of salt.

I hope Alan isn't a I was against reparations before I was for reparations type of guy.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[ApesForEvolution]

More than happy too oblige, and ask that enforcement be applied fairly across the board if I may. People that dish it and can't take it abound on this board.

[Chad Fairbanks]

People that dish it and can't take it abound on this board.

Is that a personal attack? Huh? Huh? Is it? is it? Huh? Huh? Don't make me come over there!

(tee hee)

[ApesForEvolution]

But woldn't this make Alan the 'lesser of two evils' still?

Unless you really want to lay down for (ObamaOsama) an infanticide loving communist who hides his Muhammadan faith in a quasi-Jesus that he made up...

[Scenic Sounds]

Unbelievable.

Well, for someone who was just a politician, it would be absolutely unbelievable.

I've been hoping that he'll make some suggestions in the area of campaign finance reform. For example, what justification is there for our limiting what a candidate can do with monies contributed to his campaign? Why should a candidate be required to use such funds only for election purposes? From a strictly moral standpoint, shouldn't a candidate be permitted to use the money for anything he wishes?

I'm sort of hoping that Keyes will address this issue, too.

[Chad Fairbanks]

It's pretty sad when Dr. Alan Keyes is no longer a great conservative candidate, but is now "The Lesser of Two Evils".

He's really fallen. Too bad, too.

[HitmanLV]

I agree with you, but african americans have had a unique situation in the USA. I am not categorically against slave reparations, if it's approached in a wise way.

This plan is a great political maneuver - it is (rightfully) limited to descendants of slaves (not all black americans), and the benefit is as great as the work output the person creates.

This also puts the dems in a bind.

[newgeezer]

You have FReepmail.

[Luis Gonzalez]

So, you think Michelle Malkin is a leftist?

ALAN KEYES IS MAKING A MESS

By Michelle Malkin   ·   August 17, 2004 09:29 AM

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes (formerly host of MSNBC's "Alan Keyes is Making Sense") announced yesterday that he now supports slavery reparations. The Chicago Tribune (registration required) reports:

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.

The former ambassador said his plan would give African-Americans "a competitive edge in the labor market," because those exempted would be cheaper to hire than federal tax-paying employees and would "compensate for all those years when your labor was being exploited..."

Two years ago on his MSNBC show, Keyes ridiculed this very idea. Responding to his guest Walter Fauntroy's call for reparations, Keyes said:

You want to tell me that what they suffered can actually be repaired with money? You're going to do the same thing those slaveholders did, put a money price on something that can't possibly be quanitified in that way.

The entire transcript is here.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I'm sort of hoping that Keyes will address this issue, too.

I'm thinking he already did... in a subtle, yet probably unethical sort of way... ;0)

[ApesForEvolution]

Only if you take it personally...lol.

[HitmanLV]

The money spent was not in repatations for slavery, but in social programs to address bigotry, discrimination, inadequate education, etc.

This niche solution is a good one - limited only to descendants of slaves (which is categorically not all african americans), and buts the dems in a political bind. I like it.

[HitmanLV]

What specifically am I ignoring in the USC with this reparations plan? You lost me - maybe I called in sick that day in law school.

There is nothing at all unconstitutional about this plan.

There is nothing scary about it, 'dude.'

[Luis Gonzalez]

Let the money for reparations come out of only the pockets of the descendants of slave owners.

[ApesForEvolution]

Yes, when we find the perfect one (Conservative person that is willing to suffer so many fools), I'm sure many around here will rush to go and crucify him, after a sound whipping...the enemy of the Conservatives deep down is the anti-Christ spirit in this world, so nothing surprises me.

[Chad Fairbanks]

So, by what constitutional reasoning do you consider it allowable for the government to decide which classes of people do or do not have to pay any income tax?

Thanks in advance.

[HitmanLV]

I will, only after you explain yourself.

[JustPiper]

Parade heralds a hearty rivalry - Senate candidates politely spar in their 1st meeting before the Indian Independence Day festival

A brief encounter

U.S. Senate candidates Barack Obama (left), a Democrat, and his Republican opponent Alan Keyes get into some serious railing before the start of the Indian Independence Day parade Sunday at Devon and Western Avenues on Chicago's North Side. (Tribune Photo by Chuck Berman) August 15, 2004

Senate race to hit airwaves Obama TV ads to start as Keyes rallies his base

Obama Truth Squad duels him on national level

McCULLOUGH: Barack's Back-pedaling

Barack's Back-Pedaling -Mens News Daily

Keyes marches alone at Billiken Parade... and gets ambushed LEADER EDITORIAL: Leader staffers respond to Keyes' clarion call

Central Illinois Newspaper Blasts Obama

Illinoisans cheated by cut in Senate race debates

< Keyes ping list, courtesy of FRN-IL. Just let me know if you want on/off this list! Also...

SIGN & FORWARD PETITION to GOP Leaders: Fund & Support Alan Keyes Senate Campaign!
Get up to date with Alan Keyes, his schedule and campaign.
Be an Obama fan! 8-o Encourage our Socialist Rock Star Barack to do those 6 Lincoln/Douglas style debates with that 'right-winger' Alan Keyes!: info@obamaforillinois.com & bobama@aol.com and For Full Events Calendar

[Dog Gone]

it is (rightfully) limited to descendants of slaves (not all black americans),

Are the descendants of slaves worse off than the overall black population?

[Chad Fairbanks]

In order for something like this to become law, there must be some constitutional basis for the legality of the plan - where is it? That is my question.