Reparation is a lazy talking point from government interventionists

Today I was asked by a local newspaper to comment on the seemingly never-ending topic of reparations.

We know the story, black people years ago were discriminated against by the government, and business—now its time for everyday Americans who did nothing wrong to pay up.

And short of a federal agent in a suit standing inside of Ford Field handing out $100,000 bills like a Macy’s gift card to. a line of black people, any other response will be unacceptable.

Let’s be honest, reparations is a lazy talking point pushed by equally lazy politicians who have been using black people as a political talking point for decades—-the same people screaming “reparations” during their speeches when they want something (to be elected), are some of the same people who pushed for mass incarceration bills, like Biden and Harris.

The fact that some social groups were or are given favor over others is the injustice—and still going on today as minority farmers are given special treatment over white farmers through COVID relief, it is by definition, discrimination. Government was charged with upholding laws that defend the liberty of the individual, and that no law, good intentions or not, should benefit some at the expense of others.

Just think of Hispanic Americans of the 1920’s who were blamed for economic downturns and the later the depression who were all but forced to relinquish their citizenship to take work in Mexico separated from their families still living here? Or what about payment to native Americans, reparations to LGBT — who pays these groups, would black Americans have to as well? 

One thing is for certain, people of all backgrounds are unhappy with their so-called, servant government which seems to serve itself on the backs of hard-working Americans. “Rules for thee, but not for me”. was the mantra of many 2020 public servants, and all Americans are fed up.

But if we want to have a serious discussion about what to do, we cannot just hand out government devalued paper money, within 6 months many of those recipients would be right back in the same predicament with their hand out asking for more. 

The structure of government must be corrected first—A government cannot print money out of nothing causing endless inflation which wipes out the middle class and further entrenches the impoverished. They also must stop spending our money like drunken sailors. Just look at the needlessness of over $10 Trillion in so-called COVID relief, much of which went to pet projects and corporations.

We also must consider a lack of structure in the black community—for. example, black dollars stay in black communities for just hours compared to white suburban dollars which stays in their communities for weeks.
A broken criminal justice system accounts for higher encarceration for blacks. School choice is another area to look at. Progressive city planners began to implement zoning laws in the early 20th century, and in some cases (such as in Baltimore) they intended to promote racial and class segregation. Then, after World War II, city planners instituted “urban renewal” of inner-city neighborhoods, which nearly always focused on black and other minority communities. Large portions of old black neighborhoods were labled “blighted” and condemned, shifting the residents into poorly-built government housing in the worst parts of cities.

There are meaningful actions that can happen, but only after those serving in government get serious about their proper role, and is restrained from playing favorites with social groups based on the politicals winds of the day.  Also, rather than focusing on the free market and capitalism as the problem, prehaps a focus on the failed government programs creates an artificial bottom and serves to constrain black Americans from empowering themselves.

In the end people get hurt by interventionist polcies meant to benefit some at the expense of others. We can each have opportuntiy, and to know personal prosperity regardless of our social group when government levels the playing field by treating people as individuals by defending liberty. This is the only long term and sustainable pathway to reparations for blacks, hispanic, and all Americans—everything else is hyperbole.