I did search 'reparations' on this site, and it came back with four pages of threads on the subject. I did not read through them all to see if this specific subject had already been addressed... How much would be enough? Some of you may have noticed a trend of mine in posing political questions lately- an attempt to determine objective, measurable points that define goals, and more to the point, how much is 'enough.' I understand the goal of reparations is to 'repair' race relations in this country. I would prefer to avoid the innevitably inflammatory discussion of whether such reparations are necessary and whether such goals are achievable, and instead focus on what the goals actually are, or more to the point, what objective things that we can measure will tell us when we've achieved and completed 'reparations'. What are those things? Presuming we undertake this legislative path toward reparations, what needs to become verifiably true before we can say 'mission accomplished'?
How much would be enough? Exactly zero. They are wanting people who never owned slaves to pay reparations to people who never were slaves. Pure leftist lunacy...
Arguable. However, if, as an extreme example, paying every citizen who is the descendent of a slave $1.00 could provably 'repair' race relations in this country, I would support doing it, and I think most other people would as well, just to get the entire issue over and done with. That, of course, wouldn't work. But if something would, its worth exploring. If, on the other hand, we start this journey without a clear goal in mind, I believe it is doomed to failure, as endeavors without a clear goal tend to be.
There would be no end to it. No amount would ever be enough. Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile...
That is a common sentiment among opposition to reparations. I'm hoping proponents of reparations will try to dissolve that sentiment by suggesting clear and definable objectives in this thread... ...none yet tho.
While we're at it why not make everybody a millionaire not just black and brown people? Only takes a few keyboard clicks and everybody's rich!
Well, the last amount that I saw posted, I forget where, they were asking somewhere in the neighborhood of trillions of dollars...
Reparations for slavery? No. Reparations for the thousands of black World War II vets who were denied their VA Benefits and the money from the GI Bill? Yes.
I didn't know that. If that indeed happened that was a pretty crappy thing to do and I'd say that warrants reparations for those folks.
Black Americans were denied the two largest generational wealth building programs in US history - the Homestead Act and the GI Bill.
I heard a Black comedian say if they gave money for reparations all that would do is empty the Cadillac dealer lots...
People who never interned the Japanese during WW2 paid reparations for the people who did intern them. What is your opinion on that?
Maybe but it would also empty the slave traders [bankers] vaults also. What ppl spend the money on is irrelevant though..
Also ppl who were never holocaust survivors still get money today. So that argument is moot unless they want to point out the double standards of the banks which are all run by whites incidentally.
Not if it was blown in one generation. If the government said here's some cash and sorry about the whole slavery thing wouldn't be good enough. Open ended payments are a nonstarter. I've been on both sides of the issue. Implementing it would be a bureaucratic nightmare and the right, who deny the existence of institutional racism, would be squealing their heads off. 45% of African American live below middle class and what they need is a foothold in the middle class. That can be done with housing loan with little to no down payment, liberal small business loans, micro loans, a free working trades education after the German model. These programs would be open to all but the Black community will benefit the most.
You could invest in those communities with the intention of building self-sufficiency in those areas. Build up businesses that can economically compete with the rest of the nation. I would suggest something like List argues for. Don't do trade unless its advantageous. For example only hire locals and don't bring people in. Share technology within those communities, etc.
Rather than the amount, let's discuss how to pay reparations. My proposal, and I'm surprised Republicans haven't yet hit upon this idea, is to exempt descendants of slave from any and all taxes. Black, own a business? No taxes for a set period of time. Wage earner? Ditto.
How would that help the 20% living in poverty? Trickle down economics? White business would be screaming about the unfair advantage given to Black business and they have a bit of an edge in lobbying and campaign money.
I personally don't much care about slavery as a rationale. Reparations for Jim Crow would be the more practical benchmark because you only need to be able to show your race, when you were born, and you were born in the US, or your parents were. It pretty much makes the I Never Owned A Slave defense moot. Beyond that, I am not a huge fan of handing out checks. The money mostly would end up in Walmart's purse and blacks wouldn't be better off. I think a good starting point (which the liberal courts would never go for) is separate but truly equal education along both race and gender lines. There is some evidence that blacks generally avoid classes where they might be the only black person in them where they would feel like they would be seen as a trespasser, particularly advanced classes. And boys learn differently than girls.
Do you have a proposal for how the [bankers] can be made to part with their bloodmoney? They pretty much own the govt. Our legislators are lobbied(bribed) to find ways to avoid making laws that the [bankers] dont want. One big reason many folks oppose reparations is that its likely going to be we lowly taxpayers who fit the bill.
Good question. Higher corporation tax, not sure if banks pay taxes but one or the other strategy could be used otherwise the taxpayer will have to fund it. Need to drive in that wedge between the ppl and the banks with a slogan its them or us. It really depends how sincere the govts are.
the church is already raising funds for this. Looks like we are closer than ever to this happening, god willing. This will go a long way in healing long held tensions between the two communities.
