One City. One Future.

The black vote saved Mayor Pothole from defeat in the last election.

And what do they get, besides a few crumbs in the form of patronage positions and minority contracting?

Not much, as Rachel Graves notes in this article. Predominantly black neighborhoods in Houston continue to suffer from substandard pipes and sewer, ditches instead of storm drains, and in some areas, the apperance of a public dump, or worse -- like Jensen Street, which "now reeks of urine and rotting trash."

Liberal politicians have promised these folks way more than they have delivered (or maybe the government has delivered exactly as economists might expect), and I can't help but think that one day, that monolithic black vote (90%+) that keeps Democrats competitive in most races will seriously consider the alternatives. If that happens, Democrats will be in big trouble -- and we could have the makings of a real realignment.

[Posted at 22:21 CST on 06/19/02] [Link]