Blacks flock to the Republican Party

-by Felicia (Fee) Benamon

As a young black conservative, I am happy to see more black people taking an interest in or switching to the Republican Party. It's a party of inclusion for people of all races. If you are the type of person who likes to work hard to achieve your dreams, if you are conservative in your views, you will find a place in the Republican Party.

For years, the Democrat party has been taking the black population for granted. The Democrat Party is today, the party of socialist programs, and handouts. A "get by free" card. It's true that sometimes people need a little help from time to time, but that's where we come in as a community. The government shouldn't be the one to take care of you. We are to help our neighbors. Big government is never the answer.

"A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away." --Barry Goldwater

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'." --Ronald Reagan

The Democrat party (or a Democrat candidate) promises you that it will take care of those who are needy in exchange for your vote. Sorry, but I don't need anyone to take care of me. Republicans like to stand on their own and achieve their dreams on merit and strength, not because of help to manipulate the system. Black people are starting to realize that the Democrat party only wants them to stay dependent on them, and not to branch out and be strong themselves. Take affirmative action for instance. It is now said that Affirmative Action does more harm... of course it does! Not only are specific ethnic groups getting a slight advantage over everyone else who are working hard, but those people who don't "meet the requirements" of Affirmative Action are jaded and upset that it is unfair someone less qualified than them are getting ahead and they should have been the one to succeed. There is no level playing field. So in a sense, it is another form of discrimination and racism. I don't know about you, but I want to make it on my own merit, intelligence, and hard work. Not because I am a specific skin color. Democrats and the liberal, PC way of thinking supports using Affirmative Action to achieve "diversity" in colleges. Diversity is fine, just as long as the people have worked just as hard as others to get in. We should be color blind.

Conservative issues

One thing that binds us in America is our conservative values. Most Americans are fairly conservative. The Democrat Party has not been shy about the issues they support. The party is just a front for Far Left liberal groups who wish to do their work through the Democrat Party, and the Democrat Party is happy to oblige. For instance, the Homosexual movement(Democrats expected to back gay marriage).. Most black people are against Homosexual marriage, or anything of the sort. Many blacks switched and voted for President Bush over this big issue last year during the Presidential election. That and the issue of abortion. Those seem to be the two biggest topics that have dominated news headlines in the past few years. Black people want to keep our traditional values. So we turn to the Republican party.

Political Correctness

Over the years, the Political Correctness has run amuck. Democrats have favored this tactic in order to, in their opinion, make all ethnic groups happy, and not to offend anyone. Well, I find Political Correctness to be offensive. I believe these terms originated in the 1990s. Black people are now called "African-Americans". This totally annoys me. I prefer to be called a black lady. No problem. It's worked before. But we have to be PC now. People are "______-Americans". Not just American. Can't we just say "Oh, he's Chinese, or she's a Hispanic lady, etc." We all know that if you are a citizen of this country, you are American. We don't need the hyphenated term. This only separates people into groups. The "Chinese-Americans" over here, the "African-Americans" over there (by the way, I was born in America, not Africa). We don't need to be divided like this. We are supposed to be a family. You see where I'm coming from? So that nonsense needs to stop. WE ARE ALL AMERICANS! Proud Americans! We are an inclusive society. We should not have to worry about offending someone because we didn't use a Politically Correct approach. The Democrat party has been happy to allow liberalism in this form to sweep across America. It has been dragging our society into a pit.

For the people

The Republican party is truly for the working people. There is a misconception about the Republican party, that it is only for the rich. And the Democrat party is for middle class, or poor people. If that were the case, then shouldn't the Democrat party give people incentives to strive harder to reach their goals? Not to give handouts and have promote unnecessary social programs? But to encourage people to make a better living for themselves? To get on one's own two feet? That's what the Republican party does. I am reminded of this quote:

"Give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime."

The Democrat party can't keep giving people handouts and expect them to be weaned off of that and grow and become independent to do something on their own. We must teach them, show them how to become successful and to encourage and enlighten. More and more black people have decided they will not be dependent, they are going to do it for themselves. The Republican party wants all to succeed. Hard work, drive, positive attitude, our values, all are important in helping us reach our goals.

Conservative blacks emerging

President Bush has been the only President in history to ever elect so many people of different racial backgrounds to his cabinet. The more notable ones are Colin Powell & Dr. Condoleezza Rice. She is the first black lady elected as Secretary of State. She is an inspiration to me. She's a hard worker, very intelligent, and is TOUGH! President Bush saw something in her, she had the qualifications (stellar qualifications might I add) and is doing quite wonderfully now. President Bush sees no color, only your accomplishments. I am glad to see more conservative journalists, and people in the media emerging. Funny how we conservative black people who support the Republican party get labeled as "Uncle Toms, Aunt Jemima, sell outs, etc." Anything racist like that. What is wrong with thinking for yourself and making a decision what party to support? Everyone assumes that blacks will automatically vote Democrat. Well, not anymore. Check out (Welcome to Wayne Perryman Online, Articles).

Final thoughts...the Republican PartyThe next time you go to a gathering of Republicans, look around. These are people who are bonded together by their love of family, conservative values & traditions, love of God, etc. It shows mightily. I have seen many people of different backgrounds at Republican gatherings. There is such an atmosphere of love when I attend. It's not at all like what you hear. I have experienced no racism whatsoever. Only good friendships and a welcoming spirit. The Republican party has come a long way, but it still has a ways of getting out its message to blacks and other ethnic groups. It is definitely a party of inclusion of all people. But blacks are noticing a difference between the Democrat Party and the Republican Party. The Republican party wants all to succeed, and work hard. The Democrat party is increasingly falling to the Far Left liberals who want people to be dependent on them and their socialist way of living. Not happening for me or other blacks who are wise to their tactics.

So if you are curious about the Republican party, do some investigating yourself. Do not believe rumors, try the party and see how you like it. If the party lines up with what you believe, if you are a conservative, the Republican party is for you. Check out what the Democrat party stands for, what causes they support. That will give you an indication whether or not you want to align with their party. Whatever party you support, make sure you are true to yourself, that you aren't voting a certain way or supporting a certain party because you've always done it that way, it's a family tradition, etc. Both parties have changed over the years. Keep up to date with what they stand for. Remember, the Republican party believes we are all the same underneath, and should be given the same opportunities to rise to greatness, everyone on equal footing. No preferential treatment. We are ALL AMERICANS. One Nation Under God!

-Felicia (Fee) Benamon hails from a military family (Navy). Patriotism was ingrained in her at a young age. She participated in ROTC...Reserve Officers Training Corps while in school and joined the Army in 2003. However the stay in the Army did not last long. Felicia quickly left the Army after becoming ill and realizing what her true calling is, to be involved in politics. She really started becoming aware of political issues during the 2000 election. And since then, has worked hard to fight for conservative issues. She is politically active locally, working behind the scenes as a campaign worker and advisor.