Front page story on the new blog Parcbench has some interesting perspectives about black participation in the conservative movement.
Conservatives must understand and accept that black conservatives (especially those who still identify with the black community) are typically not going to garner 100 percent ACU ratings. Some may support affirmative action. Some may support comprehensive immigration reform. Some may be more moderate on social issues.
I’m not sure that anyone who supports affirmative action can really be considered conservative, but it’s a discussion I’m willing to participate in. As for immigration reform, I’m in favor of changes that will bring in immigrants who want to be Americans and will make the country stronger and even richer culturally.
while modern day conservatives profess undying love for Ronald Reagan, they are unable to adhere to one of his most basic principles: “If we agree on 80 percent of the issues, then that person is a friend, not a 20 percent traitor”.
This really sums up the totality of the issue though. Do the Republicans want to settle into the permanent back benchers that they were from 1965 through 1979 or do they want to grow the party and learn how to really lead the political discussion. Growth means change and not everyone who comes in will have exactly the same opinions as those who are already there. If they did, they’d have been there already. It takes time to teach people how to fully open their eyes and minds to the true meaning of freedom and the clock is ticking. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll see a spectrum of ideas available in minority communities that goes further than left to far left.
