THE COSTLY TOLL OF REPARATIONS

Giving $ is Not the Solution

The San Francisco “Solution”

San Francisco is considering (without much input from residents) giving a payment of $5MM to every eligible Black adult, an elimination of their debts and tax burdens, a guaranteed annual income of at least $97,000/year for 250 years and a home in the city for $1/family.  The qualifier isn’t proven slave ancestry; instead, they are giving this to selected Blacks which include those jailed on drug offenses.  It’s not clear how many would be affected.

Concerned citizens point out the city doesn’t have this kind of money.  And they don’t either.  One estimate puts the cost at $600,000 per resident, but that’s probably a low number.  This virtue-signaling is perhaps the most ridiculous plan voiced by Democrats, but it’s not likely to be the last.

But Why?

Since the ‘60’s, Blacks have been afforded advantages that most of us will never see through affirmative action and welfare.  If they commit crimes, they may have had harsher sentences—I don’t know that the proof is there—but when you commit crimes that are legally on the books, why should you be rewarded later when some of those crimes are eliminated?  Sure, take them off your record, but you shouldn’t get paid.  You knew you broke the law; deal with it.

People have bent over backward to make up for slavery, including the many of us whose families weren’t here until the 20^th century and those who reside in states that never had slavery (California).  We did not participate *** and those living today weren’t slaves.  It’s an awful stain on our history, but most countries have had slavery.  Many still do.  We can’t undo history and we shouldn’t try.

There are many who came to America to escape unspeakable situations.  In a few cases, those who were harmed got reparations, but for the most part, the victims are dead and nothing more was done.  My family escaped Germany in 1938.  As the next generation after that, I don’t expect Germany or anyone else to make it up to me.  I’m grateful to be alive and able to make my own fortune and future.  This is the truth all of us should grasp. 

The Damage This Act Will Do to Blacks

Ever heard the story of lottery winners?  Most of them are broke again after a year or two.  Free money rarely translates to anything good; it doesn’t change people’s lives except to make them lazy and careless with their good fortune.

An ongoing payment with no expectations from those designated is harmful to them as well.  Ask anyone who has achieved any measure of success:  do they think their lives would be better if they had just been given everything?  The value of hard work cannot be understated.  What you earn for yourself is everything.  You can’t be given self-esteem, pride, value—you have to earn it.  What would incent Blacks to do anything if they had it all without effort?  This is a new form of slavery, and one that will not break their backs, but destroy minds.  What of all the innovation they could have inspired?  We’re really telling these “Beneficiaries” that we don’t care who they might have become. Instead, we’re turning them into helpless children who need everything done for them.  I know some great Black doctors, lawyers and the like.  Do we want to see the end of Black success?

Do This Instead

There are far better ways to help Blacks achieve than handing them other people’s money.

1.   School choice – give every parent access to the tax money now given to public schools to allow them to select the option that works best for their child.  There is nothing more important than education to ensure success and it has to start early.  Will this kill the public schools or force them to compete?  Something has to change and the impact will be huge.  (see AZ)

2.   Make sure that every parent knows the value of giving their child a great start.  Be married (wait to have children), instill in them the values of hard work and education.  Let them pick the path, AND do the work.  They’ll grow up to be incredible.

3.   Adjust welfare to make sure that young kids get what they need to succeed.

4.   Use social media and other vehicles to delete the idea that doing well is “acting white.”  It isn’t.  Asians have had huge success, even in their first generation, because they put in the hours to become successful and don’t let their children grow up entitled.

5.   Reward excellence, not participation.  Everyone has gifts and they can be identified and rewarded. 

This would all be better for any person than a huge handout.  San Francisco politicians like to pretend they know what’s best for you, but they don’t.   

Why Everyone Should Care

Too often, the nation follows California’s lead, even into a blazing inferno.  This state has long since ceded its leadership on policies; what our politicians do in most cases is ridiculous.  No one should follow their lead. 

If we do not succeed in defeating this idiocy, all of us will be on the hook to pay for it in our own jurisdiction.  Aside from the damage it does to those receiving these huge “alms,” it will bankrupt everyone and reduce the incentives to innovate or work hard.  Why should we?