Considering the likelihood of the "Black Vote" genuinely having "impact" on whatever outcome these next presidential elections may yield, is proof: "optimism and hope," does spring eternal!

Now, I'm in full "agreement," (or as my father would say;) "Nothing beats a failure but a Try!" We ought always stay "active" in any matters directed to "improve" our societal circumstances, however, when you consider the general "mechanics" of the "American" political system, (i.e.; the popular vote coupled with the "necessities" of the electoral college vote,) and when we take into consideration (according to his own "census,") the "designation" of the entire Black population, (in "America") of about 12.3 percent, one would have to wonder, after the "smoke" has "cleared," just how much of this was the epitome of "feel good" participation!

Is the fact that a professional politician, (remember, this is what he does for a living,) just because he is "democrat," or we like the way he "dresses" or, the way he speaks, truly enough to gain our sacred confidences? (All we have is a vote; we certainly do not command economic leverage of global designation.)

You need only to revisit "1989" for example, and align with it's political events to this very second, concerning political "progress," and ask yourself, "what indisputable impact have we, (Black people,) celebrated overall? Has the grand total been at least 12.3 percent worth?

Therefore, before we go "running out" to the polls, to blindly and violently vote for the most "attractive" or the most "eloquently spoken" of all the "choices" at hand, remember, since 1989, all of these same politicians, (at one time or other,) have deposited their checks, gone home and paid their bills, had headaches, toothaches, arguments with their wives, (husbands,) suffered flat tires, and sometimes even totally "forgotten" all about politics to boot!

It is always wise to know what you want before you "go out" and validate someone else's desires. For example, at no other time in history, has this "American" political system itself come under so much tyrannical scrutiny than with the very last presidential race of "2000," involving the "incumbent" Mr. Bush, and his contrasting hopeful, (of the time,) Mr. Gore.

Fascinated, many watched as safeguard after safeguard, stop-gate after stop-gate, failed miserably before the world theatre in a desperate attempt to add "dignity" to a terminal political "condition;" incompetence. Oh no! You didn't think we were alone in our "observations" of that systemic fiasco did you!) All things being "equal," Mr. Bush seems to have taken the best of that disastrous event, and made "common sense" of it.

Frankly, "I" shutter to think what someone else would have done with it. Indisputably, we are all "part-and-parcel," within a socio-political system that is in a perilous "pickle," therefore, whenever we "vote," whatever we vote, democrat or republican, independent, green party or "start-a-party, "we ought to always "vote" from the benefits of our knowledge, and not our sympathies.

Moreover, do we, (as Black people,) even continue to "invest" in a system that is failing? Are we, as "valid," competent human beings, obliged to inherently accept the catastrophic consequences of horrific historical errors in judgment made by any other? Or, do we, (like "America,") "let it ride!"

Draw close little children (and big children!) to AFROMERICA, and give eyes: you're able to make it! As for the "2004" presidential elections, no doubt, they will again prove fascinating.

© 2004 by B.W. Hamilton