It is my understanding Democratic congressmen who voted against the health care reform bill are being praised for voting against the health care bill by their white constituents, while criticized for voting against health care reform by their African American constituents. Congressman Artur Davis, democratic gubernatorial candidate voted NO. I guess he forgot the reason he has access to quality affordable health care is because the voters of Alabama 7th district elected him to fight for their right to have access to the same.
Note: 1 in 5 or 19% of African Americans don't have access to health insurance. African Americans suffer from higher percentages of chronic illnesses which are perpetrated by a lack of access to quality care.
A Gambling Man
by: Redeye
Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 09:51:04 AM CST
“ You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.
Know when to walk away, know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done. ~Kenny Rodgers, The Gambler
No, I these lyrics don't apply to Ron Sparks. They apply to Congressman/ gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis.
"When to hold em" Davis pandered to "white moderates" at the expense of his "traditional base" in order to garner their support. "White moderates" have money, influence, power and most importantly they vote for candidates who share their self interest, or a single issue, regardless of race or gender.
"When to fold 'em" Davis knew before the vote for affordable health care reform he was going to have to vote against it. I checked his website and couldn't find where he'd scheduled any town hall health care meetings in his district except for a panel discussion UAB (I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong). The majority of his constituents voices were not heard regarding health care reform although the majority of his constituents voted for President Obama with HOPE for CHANGE they can believe in.
"You never count your money when you're sitting at the table".. According to my calculations Davis will need 30% of the African American vote to win the democratic primary. A large majority of those voters reside in the district he is currently not representing in Congress. The majority of his constituents have no money, no influence and as of late no no jobs, and no health care. Is Davis gambling 30% of African American voters will vote for him because he's black?
"There're be time enough for counting when the dealin's done". There are some that say there are no perfect candidates, but Davis says he didn't vote for the affordable health care bill because it wasn't perfect. To para quote former President Bill Clinton, doing something is better than doing nothing".
I have a few questions for white moderates, progressive/liberals, and those who are leaning toward Davis because he's the lessor of two evils.
Q. If Davis voted for the affordable health care bill and against the Stupak amendment would you still vote for and support him?
Q. If Davis voted in favor of the Hate Crimes Bill instead of against it would you still vote for and support him.
Q. If Davis hadn't taken the positions he took on the Azalea Trail Maids, Jeremiah Wright and the Confederate Flag flap would you still vote for and support him?
Q. If Davis weren't an African American would he still have your vote and support?
Q. Do you believe having an African American Governor will change how Alabama is perceived in the world?
Q. Will the election of Artur Davis as Alabama's first African American Governor change how Alabama treats the least and the left out?
I'm not trying to offend anyone, I'm simply trying to understand why some progressives/liberals wholeheartedly support a candidate who in my opinion (and mine only) who is neither. A candidate who won't stand up to the right for what is right.
No comments:
Post a Comment