Politics, Principles, and Practicing What We Preach

For the first time in modern history, black Americans believe they have a candidate who takes them seriously. In past elections, because their vote was so committed to the Democrats, the Republicans did not make much of a point in bidding for the votes of black Americans, and the Democrats took it for granted that blacks would vote for them. This year's turnout among blacks will be a record, and may even be large enough to elect Barack Obama.

The ideals of individual liberty, a strong national defense, the sanctity of life, fiscal responsibility, and limited government -- ideals that have long been abandoned by the Democratic Party -- are concepts that are as beneficial to black Americans as they are to any other Americans. These are concepts included in the Republican Party platform. However, since the Republicans have done such a lousy job of standing on and carrying out these first principles, many Americans are having a tough time believing the Republicans actually will practice what they preach this time.

Shelby Steele, Clarence Thomas, and Thomas Sowell are three notable exceptions to the groupthink, lockstep, political conformity of black Americans. Each of these outstanding thinkers dares to think his own thoughts, do his own scholarly research, and speak his mind courageously. Whoever wins, be it John McCain or Barack Obama, would be wise to seek the counsel of men like Sowell and Steele, to avoid promulgating the misguided social policies that have effectively kept too many black Americans dependent on programs that benefit only the middle class liberals who have been administering them since the days of LBJ. Thankfully, all Americans will continue to be blessed by the scholarship, courage, wisdom and common sense of Clarence Thomas.