With that said there is something very strange that I am detecting in this Chicago mayor's race. There is more talk about the pride and importance of having a "Black mayor" than there appears to be discussions about reconciling the clear problems that the city has with:
- Its Public School System
- Its Economic Viability
- Its Public Safety
- The Job Situation, particularly in the South Side
As I context switch the Black political/ideological consciousness between NATIONAL and LOCAL the most glowing absence when it comes to the local focus is the notion that the INCUMBENT MACHINE should be held accountable for the problems that have negatively impacted the interests of the Black community. Whereas I have already identified how the Black vote was "Nationalized" in this past election - I don't quite understand how intellectual consistency is retained when we go local. We were told that "President Obama needs our help to fight against the enemy who threatens all that he has done for the Black community". I will even agree that while the majority of this message was focused upon the US House and Senate candidates only select Democratic operatives sought to have all Blacks to "vote straight Democratic ticket" and thus wrap the local State Reps/Senators/Judges/County board members and others who were on the ballot. When it comes to the purely local competition for mayor of Chicago, this is where the repudiation of the establishment machine falls apart.
Per this article summarizing the mayor's race in Chicago attempts to make a distinction between the "Daley Machine" and the "Black Establishment" the truth still remains:
- The all voted for the same state-wide candidates in the general election - the Democrat
- They all voted for the same US Senate candidates in the general election - the Democrat
- They ALL are DEMOCRATS!!!
The truth about this situation in Chicago is that the problem is not one of partisan sameness or infighting within the ranks. This is about the lack of diversity in the ranks of:
- The News Media
- The Activist Community
Since they too are a part of the fray there is a void in the voices who stand for the best interests of the rank & file and who dare demand that these community interests remain separate from these of the political machine overlay.
I only ask - WHY any of you believe that the present plans to NATIONALIZE the ideological and partisan loyalties behind the Democrats and Progressives will not lead to a situation any different when and if this is achieved? If the Republicans go out of business and the Democrats are left as the only party standing - factions will simply form among the Democrats which function just as parties do.
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