[SauronOfMordor]

There is zero commonality of interests between the African American community and the Democrat Party. Zero.

Not exactly. The one attraction of the Dem party is the support for Affirmative Action and the use of government agencies as jobs programs. The main beneficiaries are the educated Black middle class, who tend to achieve a higher income level than would otherwise be the case

[BackInBlack]

"The one attraction of the Dem party is the support for Affirmative Action and the use of government agencies as jobs programs. The main beneficiaries are the educated Black middle class, who tend to achieve a higher income level than would otherwise be the case."

Yes, absolutely -- as well Democratic support for labor unions, which have a disproportionate number of blacks, more vehement opposition to racial profiling, more rhetoric (though zero action) on racial disparities in prison sentences, support for a higher minimum wage, etc.

To me, what's troubling most about the Dems is not racism per se, but a knee-jerk belief that anyone who is down and out will never become successful on his own.

I hear a lot of liberal rhetoric from my family, friends, fellow church members, etc., though I think I've got a pretty good sense of why most black Americans vote Democrat. I mean, almost by definition, redistribution -- at least, redistribution down -- will temporarily help those at the bottom of the economic spectrum. That's pretty much what Democrats favor that appeals to blacks. I'm not inclined to call that stupidity so much as (a) shortsightedness and (b) resignation. The latter is particularly saddening: too many blacks are inclined to believe that they "need help" and the government, flawed as it is, is their last best hope.