(Originally published at AfroDaddy.com - The Black Man Survival Guide )

How come politics never changes?  The vast majority of Americans believe that the rich don't pay enough taxes and that corporations are seizing too much financial and political power in America.  Most Americans also believe that oil companies should not get tax breaks, everyone has the right to vote and women have the right to choose what they do with their bodies.  The masses know that it is wrong for 2% of Americans to control 40% of the wealth in America. 

The Democratic Party supports fair taxation of the rich, a woman's right to choose, universal health care, Medicare for the elderlyand a social safety net for the poor.  If Democrats support all of these policies and the majority of Americans are Democrats why does the will of the Republican minority control America?

Over the last 10 years the minority Republican Party has been hijacked by an even smaller minority, the Tea Party.  While the Tea Party may have been founded with good intentions, it has quickly been co-opted by power-hungry politicians and corporate powers that use it to further policies that help the rich get richer and increase the wealth gap between rich and poor.  In a democratic society this should not happen; the masses should be able to use their vote to implement policies that maintain a healthy balance between policies that favor both rich and poor.  So how does the Tea Party minority manipulate our system where they have the power to make law that subjugates the masses?  Two words: Voter Suppression.

America is still a Democratic society where the vote dictates who is in power.  To tip the voting scales in favor of the rich you must silence the vote of the middle class and the poor.  There are 4 primary ways that the corrupt wing of the Republican Party has been able to do this.

Redistricting - which guarantees that Republicans can maintain legislative control at the local and congressional level.  Although some have blatantly engaged in illegal redistricting activities and gerrymandering (ex: Jan Brewer in Arizona), the corruption in this area has gone unchallenged.

The War on Drugs - has had the effect of  disproportionately locking up millions of Black and Latino men.  Once incarcerated you cannot vote.  Of course the majority of those locked up are people who largely vote democratic.

Voter ID Laws - has placed unfair requirements on voters that disproportionately affect students, minorities, elderly, and the poor; most of which who vote democratic.  Although the need for new voting laws (to prevent fraud) has been debunked, corrupt judges and politicians have still upheld these new voter id laws introduced by Republican state and local politicians.

Citizens United Law ("Corporations are People") - allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaign ads through anonymous "super pacs").  Corporations are controlled by the rich and now the rich have unlimited spending power to "trick" the masses into voting against their self-interest. To see the Republican impact of the Citizens United Decision see "How Much Has Citizens United Changed the Political Game".

The implementation of these Republican-backed policies to suppress the vote greatly diminish the Democratic vote and turns a democratic majority into a minority in the blink of an eye.

Even with these corrupt laws and policies in place Republicans still need help, and they get it by being relentless and unwavering.  They have a strategy and do not waver. 

Grover Norquist (who is not a politician) has galvanized the Republican Party into a monolithic voting block.  Over 95% Republicans in Congress have signed his "pledge" not to increase taxes on the rich.

Rush Limbaugh (who is not a politician) manages to influence millions of Republicans through over-the-top rhetoric that demonizes anyone who goes against extreme conservative views. When you can call Sandra Fluke a "slut" on the airwaves and not get fired you clearly have the political "powers that be" supporting your every move.

Frank Lutz (who is not a politician) has created the Republican "talking points" that ALL Republican politicians follow to the letter.  Never use the word 'compromise' and always refer to Obama's work as "failed policies" are mandated standards in the Republican lexicon.  If you don't believe they ALL use these buzz words just watch Fox News or any Republican speech.

Republicans are the party of the rich and let's face it, the rich are ruthless.  Not only are they ruthless but they are organized and have demonstrated a willingness to manipulate the law, the political system and the minds of the masses.  They understand that they must work together on a united front - and they do. 

The minority Tea Party will not willingly yield power to the majority. Power must be taken.

Until the Democrats get a collective spine and reverse these voter suppression tactics Republicans will continue to cling to power.  The time to stand up is now and we must be the ones to do it. We must let Republicans know that we are educated and we are onto their game. The Revolution is coming and we know what side we're on.

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