Then it hit me: This is the first time African-Americans have bought a politician outside of some inner cities. Even then, the Jesse Jackson Juniors of America have shaken down wealthy interests for campaign dough.
It didn't happen this way this time. Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of AA's deprived themselves of material goods in 2008 to get a return down the line. They're standing in DC waiting for payoff.
Now, rich corporate muckety-mucks who have been buying politicians for decades know that you don't always get what you want. Sometimes, all your contribution buys is face time with the pol, and maybe he half-heartedly introduces a bill for what you want, just to bargain it away for something that somebody who paid more wants.
Neophyte "buyers" have no idea of how that works. They are not as psychologically prepared for the letdown that every lobbyist knows is part of the game. Last year, they gave up 40-ouncers, video games, crack rocks, and even shoes for the kids to get a shot at payback. Obama is in the position of either disappointing them, or seeing his white voters get the shock of their lives when he delivers something that the AA's view as adequate 'reparations'. And I'm not just talking about new schools in the inner cities, being book-smart is so honkey, you know.
It's going to be the boldest tightrope act we've ever seen in American politics. And he's got to fall off that rope sometime between now and 2012. Keep your popcorn ready for the big splat.
Interesting observations.
Yesterday my neighbor said to me- isn’t tomorrow the day we start getting everything we want? I said- you’re joking, right? No, he answered, we should get our checks in a month or so, right?