The US Constitution is what defines us as a nation...Two words ceestyle..."Representative Republic". I implore you to check it out. Still no words about your "bigot by association" remark and my retort? Ah, you did....please disregard.
Please see post 38 for my response about Don Black's donation.
No. I believe in adhering to the constitution as it exists, not in twisting what it says to conform to what you are trying to accomplish. There IS a difference. I believe there are things in the constitution that need to be changed.
aww how cute
To allow civilians to have a developed militia, in the case they should have to defend themselves from outside attack and as a check on government itself.
I confused the new and the old, apparently. It doesn't change my point. it means that obama should give the money back, as should Ron Paul.
I suppose that's where you and I differ. My take is that anyone should have the right to donate to any candidate they please. I do not advocate supremacist ideology of any kind, but it's their right as Americans to donate to whatever they want. I don't associate Obama to the ideology of the Black Panther Party and I don't associate Ron Paul to any White Supremacist organization's ideology as well. If all the candidates were to "screen" their donations, what then? Give back donations of felons? What about people who were convicted on drug charges? Sex offenders? Where is the line drawn?
I would draw the line at organizations who have a clearly stated or demonstrated allegiance to beliefs that are in direct contrast to those of my constituency.
That's fine...I just see it as taking away rights and/or freedoms of individuals to donate to a candidate. For example, when Ron Paul was approached and asked why he hasn't returned Don Black's donation, his retort was (and I'm paraphrasing) "It's a free country. He can donate to anyone he pleases.", and I agree with that philosophy.
Well since neither of them have and you've called Ron Paul a bigot by association, would you hold the same criteria to Obama?
That's good and all, but there are a lot of 'margins'. I think you know what I meant by constituency, so that's in how you interpret it. Obama doesn't consider Don Black part of his constituency, for example. People whose fundamental or primary ideals are coincident with yours are what I am referring to. If you are donating to a candidate who doesn't fit that criterion, than you either have ulterior motives, or are not being properly represented.
No, but that comes down to personal beliefs. I don't believe Obama is a closet racist, based on everything I've read about him. It's also a moot point, whereas being a white man accepting money from a white supremacist movement is actually relevant. Considering his apparent perspectives on abortion and gay rights, he is coming from a more closed mindset as Obama. Call it what you will. I think he should give it back, but I wouldn't presume in the same fashion.
Yet being a black man accepting money from a Black Supremacist organization (with an actual endorsement from said organization) is not relevant. OK, ceestyle but I have to say...sounds like a double standard to me.