Nobody to Talk To

I suppose you those of you who read my blog about "We are in this Together" are wondering why I changed my position.

I actually have not changed my position.  However, the failure of the House of Representatives to pass the Farm Bill pointed out the dysfunctional nature of the GOP.  The right wing, some trending so far right they can now be identified as fascist, have so effected the GOP that compromise is almost impossible.

I only wish my conservative friends, and you can't live in Redding, California and can't have many of them, could see the danger that is lurking for all of us in fascism.

Now, I am NOT talking about Nazis.  I am talking about so far right, that anti-democratic notions are espoused.

These are the conditions that worry me.  Today there is a definite trend toward people of color, or mixed ancestry, becoming the majority in the United States in the next twenty years.

Now people do not always vote for one party or the other because of the color of one's skin.  However, if you look at say South Africa, there is a phenomenon that racial minorities, when their privileged position based on race is threatened, they will swing to the right, adopting fascist positions based on racial stereotypes.

For example, in several African nations, prejudice and even genocide have been used by one racial group (tribal as well), to subjugate another.  This is not a manifestation  of race, it is a manifestation of POWER.

The GOP southern white leadership is greatly alarmed by the latest demographic trends.  Their white supremacy position is definitely threatened.

So, what we see is a hard turn to the right.  We see attacks on voter rights, with voter registration rules tightened to exclude the poor and people of color.  In 2012 people stood sometimes for eight hours to vote, while in white areas, there were no lines at all.  People will not always be so patient, and that is what fascist white GOP vote limiters are banking on.

Controlling the vote is essential for a minority to keep control.  Just today we saw the Supreme Court vote to essential suspend the Voters Rights Act, waiting for Congress to act.   If anyone thinks Congress will be able to act, I have a bridge I can sell you!

So, we see this hardening of position by the right, which I would suggest is fascism caused by a growing realization that the white power elite, especially in the south, is in real danger of losing its grip.

And of course, there is the shattering effect of electing a bi-racial President.  That did not happen by accident.  Emerging coalitions of "minorities" have developed into a possible ruling majority, especially regarding election of the President.

If any of you have seen "42" you can see what happens when a racist based culture is threatened.  It fights back.  Jackie Robinson was subjected to unbelievable pressures, by major league players and managers.

And what they were protecting was a system that did not put the best baseball players in the nation on  the field.  The segregated baseball establishment was essentially holding itself back.

The "Negro Leagues" had for years played athletes who were far superior to the skills of the all white major league.

Branch Rickey saw this.  It was a business decision to integrate major league baseball.  And what a success it was.  In fact, it was an African American, Curt Flood, who challenged the ban on free agency, that finally got major league ballplayers of all colors paid what they were worth.  In effect ending segregation made major league baseball a more free market economy.

I wonder if conservatives free market thinkers have ever considered that fact?

In a great irony, the white's only policy of major league baseball had for years had the side effect of dramatically under paying white ball players.

It is no accident that once a year, all major players wear number 42!  Integration of baseball led to a better game, and a more lucrative one as well for everyone.

The same thing will apply to our country if we can break the fascist/racist cabal that is trying to hang on to their false positions of power.

Diversity is our strength.  America is the world's melting pot.  And, remember, in a global economy, caucasians make up a minority!

Right now there is practically nobody to talk to in the GOP, who are a minority holding on to racist electoral policies.

If we can break that grip, and in time we will, justice will prevail, and so will the greatness of America.

Finally, I remember during the Civil Rights era of 1960s, many pundits urged the south to drop Jim Crowe and segregation because it was repressing economic growth in the south.  Companies would not locate in the south because of segregation.  And, the south did not utilize the best and brightest; racism kills meritocracy.  So the south always had economic indicators far below the other states.

Today, to a large extent this has dramatically changed.  Segregation was in fact retarding economic growth, and hurting the south.  Once its death grip was broken, cities from Dallas to Atlanta profited, just like major league baseball prospered thanks to the integration efforts of Branch Rickey.

We need someone to talk to on the GOP side.  The Democratic Party, that long ago decided that racism was a disaster, waits to join hands with the GOP for the good of the nation.

How long do we have to wait?