Jeb Bush's "free stuff" remark in South Carolina is a racist dog whistle

[YoungDemCA]

Some data-driven analysis from the Washington Post:

In South Carolina, where Bush was speaking, five of the seven congressional districts have a greater percentage of white households than black on food stamps, as of March of this year. All of them are represented by Republicans. Of the two where black households are a plurality, only one has a Democratic representative.

The mentions of "free stuff" by Bush and Romney seem to be focused on the current political situation -- one in which Barack Obama has twice been elected president. It doesn't take a whole lot of analysis to figure out a reason that black voters might have turned out more heavily for Obama in 2008 and 2012 that doesn't involve government programs.

snip:

But, besides, if the argument is that black voters oppose Republicans because Democrats give them benefits, it neglects a whole lot of elections in which Republicans have won since those programs came into place.

Yes, the Affordable Care Act is new, but much of the new coverage under Obamacare is an expansion of Medicaid, which is 50 years old. There's the (rather grotesque) meme of the "Obamaphones" -- basically reduced-cost or free cell phones for poor Americans. But "Obamaphones" are really "Reaganphones," having been introduced in 1985. And food stamps themselves date back to the '60s.

Aha!, you might think. The '60s are when African Americans started voting Democratic! Well, about that.

Black support for Democrats coincided with civil rights actions:

It's worth noting, too, that lots of people get "free stuff" from the government. Seniors get a lot of government-program support, but they vote more heavily Republican. (Even older non-white voters tend to vote less Democratic -- though not much less.)

Not to mention corporate tax breaks and so on. Corporations do spend money to ensure tax breaks, but it's safe to assume that in many cases the savings from tax breaks are far larger than the money spent lobbying Congress or contributing to campaigns. Call it "low-cost stuff."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/25/why-jeb-bushs-free-stuff-argument-about-black-voters-is-so-off-the-mark/

[alphafemale]

1. Except everyone heard it.

Racist as ever luvin' fuck.

[YoungDemCA]

2. The whistles are getting louder

Especially since a black man was elected (and then reelected) President.

[yeoman6987]

3. Jeb is desperate. He thought he was getting the nomination

But the GOP said otherwise. He needs to jump up and say, "I'm here. Over here. Look. I say insulting things too. See look." He is desperate!

[underpants]

4. Yep that was my comment when the story broke

The 21st Century Repub PC version of "picking up welfare checks in a Cadillac"

[oswaldactedalone]

5. My African-American employees

all 6 of them came to me yesterday and asked me if I knew where they go to sign up for the free stuff. They said they've heard rumors about it but have never received any free stuff and don't know where to look for it. I told them I wasn't sure but they might try going to City Hall and ask for the "free stuff" office.

[yurbud]

6. Jeb's problem: he doesn't SEEM as mean and ignorant as Trump (or his brother)

Since W, the GOP base want their candidates to appear to have roughly the IQ and sophistication of the hillbilly rapists in DELIVERANCE.

Jeb seems just smart and sophisticated enough to be the manager of a Walmart. In other words, he reminds Republican voters of their bosses.

Trump is like an average GOP voter who won the lottery, the stupid bully who won anyway, and who they think they are going to be someday.

[Angry Dragon]

7. I believe jeb was talking about handouts to corporations

no more corporate welfare

[YoungDemCA]

8. Ah yes, all of those black corporate executives that vote Democratic

and mooch off of the hard-earned tax dollars of hard-working (white) people.

[gratuitous]

10. Yeah, that's the ticket

Isn't it odd how Jeb! and Mitt fly speck the dozens of dollars individuals might grudgingly get out of the Treasury, but the billions foisted on Exxon/Mobil or Shell are paid out without a peep from these guys?

[Wellstone ruled]

9. The Rethugs are counting on Dog Whisle's

which Rove and Attwater perfected with the help of guys like Frank Luntz,to win the day. If one thinks these phrases or verbiage is a one off thing,for get it,this is all calculated to be used in ever voter district that is not Gerrymandered in their favor. Democrat's have to wake up to the fact the Rethugs really do a much superior job of voter identification,and build data bases accordingly right down to Street Addresses.