I am a 35 year old Black woman who is having a VERY hard time feeling enthusiastic about voting for Democrats this year. I feel, as Janet Jackson sang, "What have you done for me lately?"
UPDATE 5:17 ET: Thanks for all the constructive (and not so constructive) comments. I appreciate receiving some perspectives I have not previously considered. I do want to be clear, this was never was about staying home. This diary was about pulling the lever for Congressional Democrats in November.
I also want to thank Joan Mar for helping me realize this is my first experience with voting for the "lesser of two evils". Call me naïve, but I've always fully supported the candidates I've voted for in the past. My decision is still out, but I appreciate someone pointing out that they have been disillusioned with Democrats and wrote-in a candidate in the past. So again, thank you for all helpful feedback.
More below the fold.
Before I express MY OPINION, please know that I am NOT looking for a fight, harsh words exchanged, or cliché answers. I am hoping for constructive dialogue, because I am really torn (and I know, for a fact, I am not the only Black person feeling this way).
All my grandmother's (born in 1907), my mother's (born in 1950s) and my (born 1979) voting lives, we have voted Democrat. Without question or fail, and in many cases without research, we have ALWAYS voted for Democrats--of which 99% didn't look like us, nor came from our community.
We've felt indebted to Democrats for the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s (as at one point, many Blacks felt indebted to, then, Republicans for Lincoln's "freeing of the slaves"). But again, I ask, what have you done for me lately?
It is important to note, I make high distinction between, what I call, elected Democrats vs. Voting Democrats. So for the purpose of this diary, I am speaking mostly of elected Democrats.
As previously stated, generations of my family have loyally voted for white Democrats all of our lives. But, in my opinion, it seems white Democrats have not had our backs, nor the back of the first POTUS that looks like us. Now, please do not mistake this for blind sheep mentality. However, when I look at how Republicans rallied around Bush and look at how Democrats rally around Barack Obama, I am left quite disillusioned.
Some examples through my lens:
Bush: Dixie Chicks say they don't support the Iraq war.
Republicans: Elected officials, talk radio, conservative newspapers, television, republicans voters all swoop down, end the Dixie Chicks career and declare, it is unpatriotic to question the Commander-in-Chief during times of war. And it is accepted.
Obama: He's not American. We need to see his birth certificate!
Democrats: 'That's not nice. This is a distraction. Silence. Bleak defense/offense.'
Bush: No WMDs.
Republicans: No bashing of Bush. It was the right decision to still go in Iraq. Saddam was still a tyrant. And all that bullshit. Barely any media spectacle. I think Rev. Wright got more airtime.
Obama: Benghazi
Democrats: 'That's not nice to accuse the SoS Clinton. This is a distraction. Silence. Bleak defense/offense.'
Bush: Let's go to war in Iraq.
Democrats and Republicans: SURE!
Obama: Let's do something about Domestic Issues
Democrats and Republicans: HELL NO! Cost too much!
Republicans: LETS IMPEACH AND SUE OBAMA BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE HAVING A BLACK PRESIDENT!
Democrats: 'That's not nice. This is a distraction. Silence.'
Along with witnessing the difference in party support (and willingness to bash (let me now throw in some voting white Democrats), the outright disrespect by some white Democrats, that are depending on a percentage of the Black vote, is nothing short of disgusting.
Allison Ludgren Grimes of Kentucky comes to mind. Boy did she hurt my feelings. I was for her, would have sent her a few dollars to defeat Mitch McConnell, till she rejected the idea of campaigning with the SITTING, DEMOCRATIC POTUS. And her excuse. Oh, the excuse, is because Barack Obama's political values doesn't align her views, in Kentucky.
Alison, oh, Alison, but Oval Office adulterer, NAFTA, DADT Bill Clinton's does (who I would argue is to the right of Obama)? Okay, I'm a political realist, maybe a rightie Democrat make sense for Kentucky. But wait, you invited Elizabeth Warren?! Excited for liberal lion (who is so far to the left of Obama that I can't even see her) to come to KENTUCKY?! Are you kidding me? Or are you just insulting my people's intelligence? So then, what you saying is, his skin color doesn't line up with your political aspirations.?
But she also taught me something. See, this is what Black people do. We go all in for white Democrats, because they are Democrats. And then the sledge hammer hits us when we realize that some of these white Democrats don't give a fuck about us, except when it comes to wanting (and let's be honest, needing) our vote!
It has been (almost, or) a year since the Supreme Court stripped minorities of voting right's protections. And all these Democrats that I voted for in 2008 and in 2012 have YET, to do anything about it. But, somehow, with a lot of these same Democrats, Bush was able to push through 2 wars, 2 tax cuts for the rich and bank bailout. And in some cases, with Democrats in charge. And when it comes to media relations over this issue: 'That's not nice. We gonna give it the old try. Silence.'
So, I have to ask, what is the point, at this point? The very definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Right?
But, man oh man, if elected Democrats didn't disappoint me once, with Trayvon Martin deafening silence, the utter, uber silence from elected Democrats over the Mike Brown issue was just astonishing. You see, kill a school full of white kids or movie goers (and that was horrific), there are moments of silence, Congressional outrage, inquiries and letters of disapproval. (However limited legislative action is). Be a part of America's favorite game, -minstrel show- football, then Congress writes letters and expresses outrage.
But if you a young Black kid, minding your got damn business, and some asshole murders you for walking while Black or because your music too loud, or when local government is launching war banned weapons against people of color, amazing how Democrats get awfully quiet. Not even the one they keep telling me is going to be the 2016 nominee had shit to say till 2 weeks later, after Black Twitter reminded her ass she was going to want our vote.
There are many other examples, through my lens, that I can give. But I hope the above gives you an idea of where my disillusionment comes from.
I want to be very, very clear. This is not about cheer leading Barack Obama. There are a few instance where I have been upset with his decisions (not fighting for a public option, lack of a forceful response on Mike Brown situation, not repealing Bush tax cuts, and appearing as a damn pussy in the public). However, there are a few situations, as described above, where I felt Democrats just didn't show up.
If republicans say we are on our own, then I have to say, it feels like elected Democrats have told Obama and the Black community the same.
What is hopeful for Democrats:
1) I can't stand republicans. But at least I know where they stand.
2) I am pissed off at the way Barack has been treated since 2010, when voting Democrats decided to stay home with their pony during the mid-terms. I know don't like to hear it or admit it, but you did!
3)I am pissed with the Supreme Court for fucking with our vote.
4)I've voted in every election since I was 18.
5)I am pissed about Mike Brown situation.
6)I am conscious of this being a very important local election in Maryland.
With all that said, between now and November, I still grapple with, why should I vote, AGAIN, for federal republican lites in Democratic clothing?