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What Is Our Political Plan B? (3456 hits)

Let me say right up front, IMHO the Obama/Biden ticket will do more for my ethnic group than the McCain/Palin ticket. I base my statement on the underlying role of a politician. You see, a politician promotes their own personal/family agendas by picking a likeminded group…thereby representing his or her constituents: constituent-”one who authorizes another to act as agent”.

In short, a politician represents the folks who put them in power. Donors, supports, contributors, likeminded folks, and people who will best promote the agenda of a specific political ticket (republican, independent, libertarian or democrat) call the shots. So my decision to support Barrack is based on his backers and immediate family. Yup, I said immediate family.

Michelle, Malia, Natasha, and I share the same ethnicity. Unlike any of the four candidates for the presidency (Barrack or John) or vice presidency (Joe or Sarah)… Michelle, Malia, Natasha, and I are all descendents of the American slave and Jim Crow systems. And since I would “assume” that Obama considers his immediate family part of his constituents--rationale behind his decision making process…I would expect to see policies that improve their/our lot. Decisions to make sure Michelle, Malia, or Natasha can get ahead…also make sure I can get ahead. Laws and policies that will be created to give Malia and Natasha educational opportunities…will give my son and daughter those same opportunities.

But wait a second!
I kinda happen to hold a PhD in Business Administration (that cost me a lot of money and time to acquire) and it tells me to always have a back-up plan. We've all been taught to never allow your future to be dictated by having all your eggs in one basket…because you could lose the basket.

So this leads me to the title of this Blog: What is Our Political Plan B?

Although I am sure that the democrats are going to win, how do we position/ brace ourselves to get goodness out of four more years of republican control? No…I’m not asking anyone to vote republican. I’m just asking us to have a fall back plan if things don’t go as planned.

What do we do if Barrack and Joe decide to withdraw (I know that’s farfetched…but it could happen)?
Sure, there is a ton of bad from four more years of the same. Some could even argue, that there will be far more bad than good for my ethnic group…if democrats don’t win the White House this go around. But what is the good? How do we position ourselves to be on the winning team no matter who wins?

How can we Don King this thing, so that we back one candidate…but don’t lose out totally…if our fighter gets knocked out or doesn’t take the belt?

We have a long history of all-or-none and ending up with none. Is there an opportunity to support Barack with our vote, but still have a Plan B?

Please no negatives about Barrack or John. Let’s think outside the box or as I always say…”there is no box.”

How do we get a win-win, regardless of the outcome?
Note: If you are not from the descendent of slave/Jim Crow system African-American ethnic group I welcome your suggestions as well.

What is the good in it for us (You and Me)?

Posted By: Dr. Ahmad Glover
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 10:41AM
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First we must realize that this is a Democracy/Capatalism country and for one to survive he/she must understand that Money is the root of evil and survival. No matter who win ones must be flexible, think like a Republican or Democrat. Move your money, save your money, spend less, grab the opportunity when it arrives. Democrats and Republicans has occupied the White House Since I started working and getting an education and I have learned the above or implemented very well.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:07AM
phil marlow

If that was to happen, I can always vote independent. There are other people running from different political parties. I would rather choose from one of them, than to vote Republican.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:12AM
Marquerite Burgess

Marquerite,

Is the republican ticket so bad that if they win...we just fold up? How can we spin it to that regardless of the winner...we win? Sure…vote and encourage others to vote for Barack…but what is our Plan B?

I would think that if Barack doesn’t win...we need to be looking for way to start our own businesses. The republican seem to be pro- big business. We need to find out how to get gov’t contracts…they hand out a ton of those. We need to position ourselves for the tax breaks.

Behind every problem is an opportunity. I don't want this to be just another all-or-none election for Black folks...thoughts?

We can’t change them..but we can damn sure change us.

Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:20AM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

Yes this is a Capitalistic country and always have been, reasons for slavery in the first place. I do own my own business, but please remember everyone can't own a business. There are just some people that are great workers and it is nothing wrong with that. As you point out Dr. Glover "pro-big business" and what we are talking about is small businesses. The information to obtain government contracts are already available on the SBA website. Now I may be starting something, but lets play devils advocate How can anyone of us be sure that Barack (whom I do intend on voting for) will actually put in place the policies, programs and funding that will help elevate minorities to the extent that many assume?
I don't ever think it is an all or nothing situation. One has to find out what will be beneficial to self and family (both blood and extented) and community and make the most of it.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:40AM
Marquerite Burgess

Dr. Glover,
The reality is that only small changes will occur for most of us, no matter who wins. The economy is broken -- within a global context -- and the fix is going to require a "Plan B" for everyone, no matter who wins. What are we going to do to prepare for the jobs of the future? What are we going to do about health care? How do we preserve the value in our homes? How are we going to educate our children to compete in a global village? How are we going to end this war that is such a drain on our financial and human resources? How are we going to embark on a alternative energy strategy that will reshape our priorities? What are retired people like me going to do with our fixed incomes? We all have a stake in the answers to these questions. Obama nor McCain has a silver bullet soultion.

The government solutions will "influence" our plans, but the outcome of this election won't "be our plan." We all should have a "Plan B" based on our current situation. Are you facing foreclosure? Is you job about be outsourced? Is your spouse or child being deployed to Iraq? How are you going to pay for the ppropriate education for your teenagers and school aged children?

The outcome of this election will determine the answer to a few "big questions." I believe haelth care will be set on a new trajectory as a result of this election. There will be some adjustments in the tax structure (it's just a matter of which side of $250k annually you fall on). The big issues have to do with the strategy for energy, how to restore credibility in the global village, and what is the role of the USA in a global economy? The answers will affect us subtlely, but will have a profound impact on our children. Our "Plan B" must revolve around the investment we are prepared to make in the future of our children. The rest of u will find a way to cope. We have survived this far -- on hope, faith, luck, skill, education, or whatever.

I am an Obama supporter, and I believe that the economic situation for most African Americans if McCain wins. We will lose much of the progress that has been made to close economic, education, and social gaps. We will usher in a generation that will be dramatically less well off than the previous generation. The wealthy will preserve their position and the working middle class and poor will slide backward dramatically -- in education, jobs, healthcare. And many will lose their precarious foothold in the middle class. If McCain wins, there will be no Plan B, we will be operating on Plan Z! If we don't already have a Plan B, based on the current realities, the outcome of this election will remove the foundation from under our feet. Then all we will be talking about is survival. That is what we have been doing since 1865. That is a "back to the future" scenario that I don't want to contemplate.

So, failure is not an option. The stakes are too high.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:58AM
Roger E Madison Jr

Marquerite,

You are 100% correct. We can't bank on either person holding up their end of the deal once in power. There are a good number of variables at play that we don't have access to or detailed knowledge about. Barrack's good intentions may be met with fiscal constants or risky consequences.

That's way I'm not voting for Barrack just because he's Black. I'm voting for Barrack because based on Malia and Natasha...he is more likely to accept risk to promote programs and policies that will make their ("My") life better.

As far as contract stuff try:
https://www.fbo.gov/
http://fedbizopps.cos.com/

Fed Biz Ops is where the paper is exchanged.

Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 11:59AM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

Roger...that's was deep! Plan Z if John Wins...wow.

Our people have got to take our future seriously and understand how decisions from either party can push us forward or set us back. If Barack makes promises to us...we need to hold him and the democrats to those promises; once elected. If John gets the nod...we need to have a bag a promises that we hold him to as well. We need to be able to push our own agenda ahead rather than “hoping” that a politician does it for us. Hope is not a plan!

I'm not fully abreast of all of John or Barack’s platforms..but I'm sure there has to be some goodness in them for me. My Plan B looks for ways to spin a win by either party as a win for Dr. Ahmad and my group.

What's in your plan B?
Do you have one?
If Barack doesn't win...are you left handing out in the breeze?

I’m not…or at least I don’t PLAN to be…

Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 12:13PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

Dr. Glover:

That is the same reason I'm voting for him. I have children and from the many times that I have heard him speak about the issues and what his vision is for the future, if he does implement the programs and funding, even if his reasoning is to secure a future for his daughters it truly will be a benefit to my life and that of my children.

There are also places to go to get information on how to apply for the government contracts. I also would never rule out asking a minority owned company that has been awarded a contract about the process. Never know, they maybe able to share some helpful tips.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 12:16PM
Marquerite Burgess

Maybe a guy who awards gov't contracts (me) could help:)
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 12:27PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

Yeah, maybe you could on the How To point of it all. :) This way the person does all the leg work at required, but will be able to out the finished product together in the format required to make it that much easier to get a yes than a no.

The wealth of talent in the BIA community is absolutely mind blowing. It would be nice to one day have a BIA meet and greet that then can become a BIA Reunion so that we all can come together and meet and share and build positive memories. I feel that we are the ones that can set the tone for the next generation. This could be an annual thing. Considering we are all over, finding a central meeting point and taking it from there would be awesome. I'm not talking about a convention.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 12:41PM
Marquerite Burgess

I agree with Roger when he said that a Plan B is order regardless to who wins. Even if Barack wins we still need to get out of this financial turmoil that we are facing today. Plans C - E comes by compounding our efforts each year to make sure that we are financially prepared even with Barack. Maybe we could discuss pooling our talents and compounding them at a BIA meet and greet, I'm sure someone within the community has the resources to find a location if enough of us agree to meet. Count me in.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 7:10PM
Emmanuel Brown

Beause Senator is Biracial I think he will do his best for blacks,whites and minorities. I also think you are right on having a back up plan just in case things go the other way but whay plan could we come up with to solve our problems after the election. LadyFaye
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 8:57PM
Benny Douglas