The Real Uncle Toms

During the American Civil War, an interesting anomaly took place as we moved toward the realization of abolition. A considerable number of slaves were not in favor of abandoning the institution... it sounds incredible, but it is true. Behavior experts would later dub the phenomenon as "plantation mentality" and this is how it works... There is security in accepting the status quot. Because slaves knew and understood the 'system' would provide for a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs, protection from the outside world, keeping the family intact, and afford generally tolerable conditions of living, they were apprehensive about disrupting that and replacing it with an unknown. Where would they go, what would they do, how would they keep their families together? So their inclinations were to accept their lot in life and remain content to be slaves, for a good master, for the security and stability of it all. This example is illustrated in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1852 novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

It is a perfectly natural human condition. Few of us inherently desire to be confrontational or controversial, we mostly long to be accepted as normal, whether overtly or inertly. When we think about the way things were in the days of Rosa Parks, we see the same sort of 'Uncle Tom' behavior. Most black people simply accepted that they were supposed to ride on the back of the bus. It was easier to just put up with systemic racism and be thankful they let you on a bus and you didn't have to walk. Oh they didn't like it, but what could the individual do about it? What purpose would it serve to protest it, other than to get your head bashed in and thrown in jail or hung from the nearest tree? Most black people lowered their head for 100 years, and allowed the institutionalized prejudice and racism to prevail in our society, because it was easier to do what everyone else did, to go along with how things were, to be content with it remaining the same. It wasn't until an individual, like Rosa Parks, refused to accept it anymore. It took that individual breaking away from what everyone else was doing, to take a confrontational and controversial stand.

The Democrat Party has become very reliable Masters of the Plantation. They take care of the basic needs for all the special interest groups, providing government funding and support in sufficient enough amounts to enable a bearable existence. People can get that check at the first of the month, and pay the light bill, or keep a roof over their heads. They know the Masters will tend to them if they get sick, or if they can't work... life is easier that way. Rather than embracing real hope and opportunity for their futures, through free enterprise, free-market capitalism, rewarding success and encouraging it in everyone... they find it easier to support the socialist entitlement programs, which ARE their plantation. Our welfare system is a trap, not a cure for poverty, an enabler of poverty conditions! Those who are unfortunate enough to be caught in the trap, are helpless as individuals to do anything about their personal condition, so they accept it... the same way Uncle Tom accepted it, the same way blacks before Rosa Parks accepted it. At least they paid the light bill this month, at least they kept the heat turned on! They are still chattel to the master, but who cares, life is okay! The Master is good to them... they have no complaints!

It takes one individual, one voice... standing against all the rest, breaking the shackles and challenging what everyone else is accepting... what 90% of black America is currently supporting in the Democratic Party! If black Americans, or any minority group for that matter, is honestly interested in bettering their condition in life, raising their standard of living or achieving success, they are backing the wrong party. Democrats enjoy running the Plantation! It suits them fine to dangle carrots out there, and perpetuate class envy, and keep their slaves down on the plantation happy! It not only suits them, it is crucial to their very survival and existence, they can't do it without your support, or at least, your Uncle Tom acceptance of the status quot.
 
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." [Samuel Adams]


"In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'" [Dosteovsky's 'Grand Inquisitor']
 
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." [Samuel Adams]

And that is why I drink Sam Adams (and the amazing taste and quality).
 
Not many agreed with him in his time. The American revolution only had about 1/3 (Oh god I just mentioned something Dixie can't comprehend) public support.

That's because most Americans were uncomfortable with severing ties from Britain and fighting against an empire whose culture was their's as well. Just about everyone believed in solutary neglect and the value of the "little republics" that had sprung up since 1619.
 
That's because most Americans were uncomfortable with severing ties from Britain and fighting against an empire whose culture was their's as well. Just about everyone believed in solutary neglect and the value of the "little republics" that had sprung up since 1619.

Valid points all.
 
During the American Civil War, an interesting anomaly took place as we moved toward the realization of abolition. A considerable number of slaves were not in favor of abandoning the institution... it sounds incredible, but it is true. Behavior experts would later dub the phenomenon as "plantation mentality" and this is how it works... There is security in accepting the status quot. Because slaves knew and understood the 'system' would provide for a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs, protection from the outside world, keeping the family intact, and afford generally tolerable conditions of living, they were apprehensive about disrupting that and replacing it with an unknown. Where would they go, what would they do, how would they keep their families together? So their inclinations were to accept their lot in life and remain content to be slaves, for a good master, for the security and stability of it all. This example is illustrated in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1852 novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

It is a perfectly natural human condition. Few of us inherently desire to be confrontational or controversial, we mostly long to be accepted as normal, whether overtly or inertly. When we think about the way things were in the days of Rosa Parks, we see the same sort of 'Uncle Tom' behavior. Most black people simply accepted that they were supposed to ride on the back of the bus. It was easier to just put up with systemic racism and be thankful they let you on a bus and you didn't have to walk. Oh they didn't like it, but what could the individual do about it? What purpose would it serve to protest it, other than to get your head bashed in and thrown in jail or hung from the nearest tree? Most black people lowered their head for 100 years, and allowed the institutionalized prejudice and racism to prevail in our society, because it was easier to do what everyone else did, to go along with how things were, to be content with it remaining the same. It wasn't until an individual, like Rosa Parks, refused to accept it anymore. It took that individual breaking away from what everyone else was doing, to take a confrontational and controversial stand.

The Democrat Party has become very reliable Masters of the Plantation. They take care of the basic needs for all the special interest groups, providing government funding and support in sufficient enough amounts to enable a bearable existence. People can get that check at the first of the month, and pay the light bill, or keep a roof over their heads. They know the Masters will tend to them if they get sick, or if they can't work... life is easier that way. Rather than embracing real hope and opportunity for their futures, through free enterprise, free-market capitalism, rewarding success and encouraging it in everyone... they find it easier to support the socialist entitlement programs, which ARE their plantation. Our welfare system is a trap, not a cure for poverty, an enabler of poverty conditions! Those who are unfortunate enough to be caught in the trap, are helpless as individuals to do anything about their personal condition, so they accept it... the same way Uncle Tom accepted it, the same way blacks before Rosa Parks accepted it. At least they paid the light bill this month, at least they kept the heat turned on! They are still chattel to the master, but who cares, life is okay! The Master is good to them... they have no complaints!

It takes one individual, one voice... standing against all the rest, breaking the shackles and challenging what everyone else is accepting... what 90% of black America is currently supporting in the Democratic Party! If black Americans, or any minority group for that matter, is honestly interested in bettering their condition in life, raising their standard of living or achieving success, they are backing the wrong party. Democrats enjoy running the Plantation! It suits them fine to dangle carrots out there, and perpetuate class envy, and keep their slaves down on the plantation happy! It not only suits them, it is crucial to their very survival and existence, they can't do it without your support, or at least, your Uncle Tom acceptance of the status quot.

Okay, I'll bite.

Which party then, in your opinion is the right party for black americans to support?

Is it the Republicans? The party of faux self determination, and whispered nannyism?

Obviously its not the Democrats, the party that's not shy about their proclamation of nannyism.

Being a duopolist, I'm sure you have a "right" party between the two, so just go ahead and say it.

Tell us why Dixie knows better than black people what is good for black people.
 
Okay, I'll bite.

Which party then, in your opinion is the right party for black americans to support?

Is it the Republicans? The party of faux self determination, and whispered nannyism?

Obviously its not the Democrats, the party that's not shy about their proclamation of nannyism.

Being a duopolist, I'm sure you have a "right" party between the two, so just go ahead and say it.

Tell us why Dixie knows better than black people what is good for black people.

Republican Conservatism is rooted in the principles of free market economy and free enterprise. The very core of conservatism is the notion that all men are equal, and through liberty and personal responsibility, anyone can be whatever they aspire to be in America. There is nothing "faux" about that!

You are an idiot, not because you have principled convictions, but because you can't comprehend how your actions are contradictory to what you seek to accomplish. Did you know you supported Obama? It's true! Whether you actually cast a vote for him is a different matter, but by not supporting the only party which had a chance at preventing his election, you supported him, and the Democrats thank you for that! You see Beefy, while you are mired in your self-defeating ideology, the real world keeps spinning around. One of two people are going to be elected, a Republican or a Democrat, and that is the fact of life, regardless of how much you whine or the amount of trash talk you throw out against politics as usual.
 
That's because most Americans were uncomfortable with severing ties from Britain and fighting against an empire whose culture was their's as well. Just about everyone believed in solutary neglect and the value of the "little republics" that had sprung up since 1619.

I disagree with your assessment of what most Americans were uncomfortable about in 1776, I don't think you really know that. Most Americans came here precisely because they didn't like Britain, or the "culture" there. Going to the colonies was an inspired event, a new beginning, the promise of a better life, etc. It was often done in most harsh sentiment toward the King of England, and the restrictive royal rule.

The overwhelming reason most Americans were uncomfortable about the Revolution, was Britain's military might. They had the largest standing army in the world and a formidable navy, we had rag-tag volunteers... minutemen... and no navy. It was pretty bold to think we had any sort of chance against them on paper. This alone, was the impetus behind the uneasiness.

It is another good example of an individual breaking the shackles, and fostering a movement which in turn, changed history forever. One person had to stand up and say, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" That's all it took.

The men who fought that war were courageous, they flew in the face of adversity because they believed in the principles of freedom. George Washington could have chosen to "sit at the back of the bus" or "vote democrat" and continued the status quot, but he didn't. They all believed in a principle... an idea... one that had never been tried before in the history of man! Could such a government work... of the people, for the people, by the people? Changing the status quot for The Unknown... something a lot of people just aren't comfortable doing. It took one person standing up... and then another... and another, and these people were not only strong and courageous, they were convicted with the principles of liberty and freedom from all rulers.
 
Republican Conservatism is rooted in the principles of free market economy and free enterprise. The very core of conservatism is the notion that all men are equal, and through liberty and personal responsibility, anyone can be whatever they aspire to be in America. There is nothing "faux" about that!

You are an idiot, not because you have principled convictions, but because you can't comprehend how your actions are contradictory to what you seek to accomplish. Did you know you supported Obama? It's true! Whether you actually cast a vote for him is a different matter, but by not supporting the only party which had a chance at preventing his election, you supported him, and the Democrats thank you for that! You see Beefy, while you are mired in your self-defeating ideology, the real world keeps spinning around. One of two people are going to be elected, a Republican or a Democrat, and that is the fact of life, regardless of how much you whine or the amount of trash talk you throw out against politics as usual.

You can choose to be a cog in the wheel, the very wheel that keeps slapping you upside the head, election after election. You can bitch and whine about big government, and then vote time after time for bigger government, and then proceed to bitch again. You can cry about spending, and then vote for more spending. And then you can lecture us who don't vote for it and subsequently beat your own chest as to how you are the smaller government party.

But all it speaks to is your own willingness to step aside and let the powers that be speak for you.

You keep on, and you keep being proud about it.

I'd wear it as a badge of shame though. I can't do it. I can;t cry about big government out of one side of my mouth, and the cheer it on out of the other.

Good on you.
 
I disagree with your assessment of what most Americans were uncomfortable about in 1776, I don't think you really know that. Most Americans came here precisely because they didn't like Britain, or the "culture" there. Going to the colonies was an inspired event, a new beginning, the promise of a better life, etc. It was often done in most harsh sentiment toward the King of England, and the restrictive royal rule.

The overwhelming reason most Americans were uncomfortable about the Revolution, was Britain's military might. They had the largest standing army in the world and a formidable navy, we had rag-tag volunteers... minutemen... and no navy. It was pretty bold to think we had any sort of chance against them on paper. This alone, was the impetus behind the uneasiness.

It is another good example of an individual breaking the shackles, and fostering a movement which in turn, changed history forever. One person had to stand up and say, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" That's all it took.

The men who fought that war were courageous, they flew in the face of adversity because they believed in the principles of freedom. George Washington could have chosen to "sit at the back of the bus" or "vote democrat" and continued the status quot, but he didn't. They all believed in a principle... an idea... one that had never been tried before in the history of man! Could such a government work... of the people, for the people, by the people? Changing the status quot for The Unknown... something a lot of people just aren't comfortable doing. It took one person standing up... and then another... and another, and these people were not only strong and courageous, they were convicted with the principles of liberty and freedom from all rulers.

That's not true. Only a small handfull of people were really into the idea of separating from Britain in 1776, such as Sam Adams (who was eccentric) and Thomas Paine (who really doesn't count as either American or a Founder).

Even the people who argued loudest for the Declaration were torn emotionally over the matter, and the prospect of war was just the tip of it. These people all considered themselves Englishmen. In fact, it was non-English cultures that they were prejudiced against. During the 1780s, Franklin expressed great fear that Germans were affecting the dominant English culture and not assimilating, but instead were "Germanizing" Pennsylvania.

During the 1760s-70s, each prominent Founder was slowly pushed in the direction of rebellion. Washington was upset that his colonial, non-aristocratic status was preventing him from rising up as a prominent officer and leaving the Militia to become a British Regular (he also wanted land spoils he had been promised in the war). Adams and his legal cohorts were upset about how the British were violating Americans' English Constitutional Rights with growing frequency (what the real debate was about - the rights of Englishmen, as Adams had been raised to consider the English Constitution as a gift from God). Hamilton, an economic expert, was critical of British economic policy on American markets and wrote a brutal paper on it for his Master's thesis at Kings/Columbia.

Let's not forget that Americans, then as now, were highly prejudiced against the French, and feared being in their debt. When the French Revolution broke out, many Americans did not want to support the French in a war against Britain, the motherland. Hamilton argued (probably truthfully) that it was just for economic reasons that would benefit America, but most who sided with him were still being moved by their love of English culture and hatred of French culture.
 
You can choose to be a cog in the wheel, the very wheel that keeps slapping you upside the head, election after election. You can bitch and whine about big government, and then vote time after time for bigger government, and then proceed to bitch again. You can cry about spending, and then vote for more spending. And then you can lecture us who don't vote for it and subsequently beat your own chest as to how you are the smaller government party.

But all it speaks to is your own willingness to step aside and let the powers that be speak for you.

You keep on, and you keep being proud about it.

I'd wear it as a badge of shame though. I can't do it. I can;t cry about big government out of one side of my mouth, and the cheer it on out of the other.

Good on you.


I am sorry if you feel I have ever "cheered on" big government, I haven't. I am not a cog in the wheel, no slapping is going on... I think you may need to have your meds adjusted.

Bottom line, regardless of what you or I think of Big Government, or anything else, a Republican or a Democrat will occupy the White House and majorities in Congress in the foreseeable future, at least. But then again, maybe this is another possible example of an individual standing up to courageously stand against the status quot, and change history forever? Maybe you and your libertarian mentors can say something profound enough to move America... so far you haven't, you get about 3% of the vote, if that much. So go sit down in the back of the bus again Beefy, your time has not come!
 
That's not true. Only a small handfull of people were really into the idea of separating from Britain in 1776

What's not true? I never said otherwise! Yes, a small handful of people... I agree... I explained why so many were opposed, and it had nothing at all to do with them considering themselves Englishmen! It had everything to do with the size and power of the British Army! If you disagree with this statement, you are a moron, and I don't waste time talking to morons.
 
What's not true? I never said otherwise! Yes, a small handful of people... I agree... I explained why so many were opposed, and it had nothing at all to do with them considering themselves Englishmen! It had everything to do with the size and power of the British Army! If you disagree with this statement, you are a moron, and I don't waste time talking to morons.

Lurn 2 Reed. When I said "that's not true," I was obviously referring to the cultural fact that every one of them considered themselves Englishmen. This is the most ignorant post I've ever read about the reasons for the Revolutionary War. You should take the time to put down the Civil War books and read up on it. Also, try something on political, social, or even economic history, rather than just military history for a change.
 
Lurn 2 Reed. When I said "that's not true," I was obviously referring to the cultural fact that every one of them considered themselves Englishmen. This is the most ignorant post I've ever read about the reasons for the Revolutionary War. You should take the time to put down the Civil War books and read up on it. Also, try something on political, social, or even economic history, rather than just military history for a change.

You're just plain wrong about them considering themselves Englishmen! There are very few examples of this, MOST of them preferred "Colonialists" over "Englishmen." They LEFT England, you dimwit! Traveled across a huge ocean for weeks, came to a country without running water and nothing but the clothes on their backs, to get away from the British Monarchy and authoritarian rule of the King. Without fault, MOST of them were NOT big fans of Britain!

There is nothing ignorant in what I have stated, and if you've read any historical accounts of the period, you should understand this. It sounds like you half-ass read the history, then assigned your own intents and reasons for the actions. It's the only way I can explain how you would think what you've articulated. This is not the first time you've interjected your personal opinion regarding the sentiments of the day, you do this all the time, and it's often some perverted abstract of how some people might think today as opposed to 230 years ago. It's almost like you want to make some kind of statement against Iraq based on some fake perspective you claim people had in 1776!

I read through your little 'explanation' of the mindset, and it appears you think the only valid reason for war is disdain for someone's culture. Like that is the only reason we would ever go to war, and that's what made it so hard to go to war against England, we didn't oppose their culture! In 1776, we weren't in any position to be opposing someone's culture, and the fact is, our own culture was just being formed, and it was quite radical to most of the traditional world. It's absurd to presume Americans had any animosity toward others because of a difference in culture! In short, you are totally full of horse shit.
 
The characterization of welfare in the initial post is somewhat outdated. The days of existing on welfare for more than a year or 2 are gone.

The real problem is jobs for those coming off of welfare. Over 30% of available jobs pay below $10 per hour, without benefits.

If the GOP really wants to even the scales as far as the black vote goes, they won't continue to ignore the inner cities & education, particularly funding for things like Head Start...
 
The characterization of welfare in the initial post is somewhat outdated. The days of existing on welfare for more than a year or 2 are gone.

The real problem is jobs for those coming off of welfare. Over 30% of available jobs pay below $10 per hour, without benefits.

If the GOP really wants to even the scales as far as the black vote goes, they won't continue to ignore the inner cities & education, particularly funding for things like Head Start...

I think you are mistaken, there are still housing projects full of people who get a check from the government every month. They have been there for more than a year or two, we are up to about the FIFTH generation now! The Clinton welfare reforms didn't remove everyone from the welfare rolls, it only did some things to make it easier to transition from it. It helped, but it did not eliminate people being on welfare, and if that was your understanding, you are misinformed.

As for jobs and pay, those are best determined by the market, it's how business can build a successful model, in fact it's the only way to do it. When you start interjecting government, driving up the cost of doing business, you effectively work to keep wages down.
 
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