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 Frederick Douglass was by all accounts the central African American abolitionist of ante-bellum America. His call for freedom embodied all the hopefulness of the American Spirit. When he looked at black slaves he did not see illiterate, incompetent and uncompetitive buffoons ready to fall on their faces at the first opportunity; he saw men and women of courage, resilience and pride. Douglass was convinced that given the freedom to determine their own destiny that African Americans could rise as high as they wanted without anyones patronizing help. He went so far as to challenge white abolitionists who wrung their hands over what to do about the Negro once he was free. Douglass retort was that white people in general and the government in particular should give nothing to blacks except opportunity. He argued that African Americans should stand or fall on their own, but he firmly believed that if given real freedom, they would stand.
Our nation and the black community in particular, have not heeded Douglass words. African Americans were not allowed freedom of action for over 100 years after the Civil War. Democrats in Federal, State and Local Governments continued to deny blacks their basic Constitutional rights. And once the Civil Rights movement finally pried open the doors of freedom and equality under the law, the US Government embarked on the destructive journey into the welfare state. As we have documented over the past month, the benevolent government programs launched from the 1940s through today have devastated the black community by almost every statistical measure. Sadly, Douglass dream of a free black community rising on the strength of their own industry has yet to be realized.
The Chicago Republican Party believes it is not yet too late. We call on government to quit playing the role of Big Momma and to start being a leader. Rather than continuing to dole out goodies and empty promises in order to win elections, politicians should use their position of influence to lead the community. Everyone knows that for a robust economy, businesses should create jobs and not the government. And yet, the government has the ability to work alongside business to remind it of its duty. For example, in Chicago, most lending companies have a large map that indicates which neighborhoods will be considered for a loan and which will not. Most of the south side and much of the west side are crossed off, making it difficult for much of the black community to achieve reasonable financing. The problem is that lending companies have been burned in the past by high default rates, property damage and a lackluster market in which to sell foreclosures. They are wary of carrying the full risk of operating in these markets. This is a perfect opportunity for the government to lead by gathering together the business community to discuss creative approaches for revitalizing Chicagos poverty-stricken areas.
The federal government can do little more than hand over barrels full of cash when it comes to the task of inner city development, but local leaders have the advantage of speaking directly to all parties concerned. Bringing prosperity to the black community requires that the government empower business to do what it does best, creating jobs and opportunity, while sharing some of the risk. The student loan program is a great example of government supporting the investment in our future by subsidizing student loans and partnering with lenders to insure those loans. Students remain free to attend the college of their choice, and the university system is free to innovate and teach, but government shares some of the economic risk of higher learning. Our local leaders could embrace this same role here in Cook County.
 The County currently receives large sums of money from the federal government to carry out job training for underprivileged residents. For $5,000 the recipient of this job training walks away with little more than a resume. Would it not be better if the local government used this money for micro-loans to those who could present a business plan? Government could forge partnerships with local businesses to provide access to credit and a market in which to sell. Government is also in the position to offer substantial tax breaks to entrepreneurs struggling to create growth and jobs in underprivileged neighborhoods.
One of the easiest ways for government to lead without controlling is in the area of education. Our system of higher education is the envy of the world precisely because it relies on a combination of public and private schools that are forced to compete with each other for professors, students and resources. Our primary educational system is an embarrassment because it lacks the element of competition. Through a school voucher system government could partner with families by providing the funds for education without limiting their options. The problem always begins when instead of partnering and empowering, the government begins to control and manipulate. Even the welfare system, which though destructive as a way of life can still serve a short-term purpose, could stand a major overhaul. Rather than pulling benefits away suddenly when a welfare recipient gains employment, the government could slowly reduce benefits as work income begins to dwarf government money. As it stands, many on welfare find that the noble goals of working a productive job and feeding their families are opposed to each other. This is clear evidence of government manipulating peoples choices rather than liberating them.
The Chicago Republican Party calls on government to quit buying votes with handouts, to stop playing the pathetic patronage game that squelches innovation and competition, and to start leading our community forward through cooperation with business and promoting free enterprise. African Americans do not need handouts from the government to succeed in this country. What is needed is freedom, opportunity and self-confidence.
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