When Barack Obama was elected in 2008, my emotions were that of elation mixed with dread. My elation came because America showed the world that despite its history, it could rise above itself and elect the first African American to its highest position.
You see, I was a bystander in the 2008 primary process. When Barack Obama announced his candidacy, I thought he got a chance like Jesse Jackson got a chance. He was uncluttered by the civil right movement which did not endear him to the black establishment. His non-confrontational attitude will make him more palatable to non-blacks but they still will not vote for him. America, especially the Southern part of America has not evolved enough to give the reign of the country to a black man. Thankfully, I did not have to choose between an African American man and a woman since the primary of my state did not count. Anyway, I am one of those dreaded registered independents so I don't get to express my anger or joy through the primary process.
Once that painful process was over, I did work to get Obama elected by giving talent, time and treasure to his run. I was glad to see all the efforts of thousand of volunteers pay off in November. That was my elation.
My dread in November came from knowing that period of progress for the common people always is followed by period of pain where all rights were at the minimum almost lost. I was bracing myself for the backlash that would ensue when the enthusiasm die down and America, particularly the South realize who was presiding over the country.
Southern conservatives do not like to lose and when they do, they always double down and would not hesitate to hold hostage or destroy the country to get their way. This goes way back to the Revolution and Independence days. Southern conservatives back then held independence hostage until the founding fathers cave in on the slavery issue. These little skirmishes continue throughout American history until President Lincoln decided that he would not let them get their way, then civil war ensue followed by the emancipation of all people of color. During Reconstruction the south again held the country hostage until Jim Crow laws were enacted. The fight for civil rights gave rise to present day Republican Party where moderates or anyone who does not align themselves with the southern rhetoric are being pushed out or silenced.
The south again is holding the country hostage until they get their way. It is no surprise that members of the Tea Party are overwhelmingly white and southern. In an article by Michael Lindy at Salon
Today's Tea Party movement is merely the latest of a series of attacks on American democracy by the white Southern minority, which for more than two centuries has not hesitated to paralyze, sabotage or, in the case of the Civil War, destroy American democracy in order to get their way.
Although the public face of the Tea Party is not southern, its members overwhelmingly are:
Sandy Adams (FL-24)
Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Todd Akin (MO-02)
Rodney Alexander (LA-05)
Michele Bachmann (MN-06)
Roscoe Bartlett (MD-06)
Joe Barton (TX-06)
Rob Bishop (UT-01)
Gus Bilirakis (FL-09)
Diane Black (TN-06)
Paul Broun (GA-10)
Michael Burgess (TX-26)
Dan Burton (IN-05)
John Carter (TX-31)
Bill Cassidy (LA-06)
Howard Coble (NC-06)
Mike Coffman (CO-06)
Ander Crenshaw (FL-04)
John Culberson (TX-07)
Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
Blake Farenthold (TX-27)
Stephen Lee Fincher (TN-08)
John Fleming (LA-04)
Trent Franks (AZ-02)
Phil Gingrey (GA-11)
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)
Vicky Hartzler (MO-04)
Wally Herger (CA-02)
Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)
Lynn Jenkins (KS-02)
Steve King (IA-05)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Jeff Landry (LA-03)
Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-09)
Kenny Marchant (TX-24)
Tom McClintock (CA-04)
David McKinley (WV-01)
Gary Miller (CA-42)
Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)
Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
Rich Nugent (FL-05)
Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Steve Pearce (NM-02)
Mike Pence (IN-06)
Ted Poe (TX-02)
Tom Price (GA-06)
Denny Rehberg (MT-At large)
David Roe (TN-01)
Dennis Ross (FL-12)
Edward Royce (CA-40)
Steve Scalise (LA-01)
Pete Sessions (TX-32)
Adrian Smith (NE-03)
Lamar Smith (TX-21)
Cliff Stearns (FL-06)
Tim Walberg (MI-07)
Joe Walsh (IL-08)
Allen West (FL-22)
Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03)
Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Once you realize whom the real people holding this country hostage, you can better prepare for the onslaught of crises that will come in the future. Reading the article I realize that crises will keep on coming until the southern conservatives get their way and their policies are enacted or until they win. Obama at this point does not matter. Whether or not we want to acknowledge it, he does not have the freedom to stand up to the southern conservatives. He is nothing more than the symbol that solidifies their hatred and galvanizes them to win or destroy the country.
This is the new civil war. One that is being fought not on a battlefield but in every substantial bill that Congress wants to pass. The fight will get even harder and more vicious as Barack Obama seeks re-election. We can either focus our attention on a man or we can fight to preserve the Union (or progressive laws and programs).