Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Do you think the current make up of our county is going to result in major change of our police department or politicians. We have corrupt leaders who do little to nothing for our people because they have no accountability. It's no coincidence that the wards in DC with the higher democratic support tend to have the same issues as PG. When one party rules a place, the results are often bad. The leaders simply have no competition. We have people who vote these individuals because they look good on a billboard, or because they came to their neighborhood, or because they came to a Carribean festival or because they have heard of their name before, but these same people know NOTHING about what these individuals will do for their town. Do you think this is going to change county wide? Within your local district? Within your local delegation?
You forgot coming to church -- that's important in PG.
Seriously, I think it's more than just one party ruling a place, but an incestuous party. You know, this politician is that politician's child's godfather or cousin-in-law or frat brother. Yet they all line up to run for the primary, 14 or 15 deep, as if they are presenting myriad choices for residents. All they are doing is splitting the vote. Once the election is won, depending on alliegances, you have the same administrators and staff. And things don't seem to change -- go figure.
In DC, you had Marion Barry, then you had Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty. Democrats with different ways of governing, and some very positive changes have occurred in DC. I don't have a problem with two parties checking each other, but I'm not sure that a lack thereof is PG's problem.
In PG, I am more concerned with the politicians who worry more about being disrespected and whether the right rings are being kissed than the condition of their community. This puts a logjam in any change.
Do you guys think PG County needs more white people?
I've been reading on this forum for awhile, and there seems to be a LOT of dissatisfaction with the black community and a lot of desire for "change" but I have no idea how you could change the culture in PG County or anyplace else faster than throwing in a bunch of new people. And those people are most likely going to be white people (or maybe Hispanics). And *IF* we were to believe this is the case, should PGC be making an actual effort to try to attract white people somehow? I don't even know how you could do go about doing that. Put up signs? "Hey white people come live here we don't bite!" lol. Would attracting more white people create the "diversity" the county needs? I am honestly not trying to be provocative or make people angry I am just asking how people feel about this.
It doesn't necessarily have to be white people, just people with a different mindset. I don't think it's good that there seems to be a majority of people who seem to see things the same way. You tend to build up complacency.
I'm black, but I find a lot of times people look at me like a deer caught in the headlights when I say I'm not a Democrat, or that I'm not satisfied with our schools, or that I'm satisfied with our elected officials. It's as if we in the black community feel as though we have to defend ourselves even when the points are being brought up are true. There is this unwritten code of not putting each down, if you see something wrong look the other way, or you have to stay in this community because we are your people. This type of attitude is so prevalent that nothing really changes. Change is good, well at least sometimes. I prefer, to be honest, a diverse place. A place where elected officials do not believe they are entitled to positions. I'm tired of the same people running for office and screwing things up. There really is no reason why this county can't be great but it's going to take the people in this county to step up and demand more.
And as far as white people moving here, it's already happening. I believe the population, especially in the southern part of PG, is changing. I'm seeing more and more white people moving to Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, National Harbor and even Forest Heights. It certainly wouldn't hurt, but I think who ever moves here, no matter what, they should not accept the status quo. If we get more people here, who want to see change, the attitude and the direction of this county will change for the better in my opinion.
You forgot coming to church -- that's important in PG.
Never understood that especially for the ones who don't even usually attend church.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bowian
Seriously, I think it's more than just one party ruling a place, but an incestuous party. You know, this politician is that politician's child's godfather or cousin-in-law or frat brother. Yet they all line up to run for the primary, 14 or 15 deep, as if they are presenting myriad choices for residents. All they are doing is splitting the vote. Once the election is won, depending on alliegances, you have the same administrators and staff. And things don't seem to change -- go figure.
In DC, you had Marion Barry, then you had Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty. Democrats with different ways of governing, and some very positive changes have occurred in DC. I don't have a problem with two parties checking each other, but I'm not sure that a lack thereof is PG's problem.
In PG, I am more concerned with the politicians who worry more about being disrespected and whether the right rings are being kissed than the condition of their community. This puts a logjam in any change.
Well the reason why I brought that up is because Rushern Baker and some of the other leaders had been thought of to have very different views on things than Jack Johnson, but it doesn't seem as though much is changing. It's still early but I think their approach is producing the same results as before, a neglecting of dealing with crime and education.
Do you guys think PG County needs more white people?
I've been reading on this forum for awhile, and there seems to be a LOT of dissatisfaction with the black community and a lot of desire for "change" but I have no idea how you could change the culture in PG County or anyplace else faster than throwing in a bunch of new people. And those people are most likely going to be white people (or maybe Hispanics). And *IF* we were to believe this is the case, should PGC be making an actual effort to try to attract white people somehow? I don't even know how you could do go about doing that. Put up signs? "Hey white people come live here we don't bite!" lol. Would attracting more white people create the "diversity" the county needs? I am honestly not trying to be provocative or make people angry I am just asking how people feel about this.
For me it's not having more white people, per se. Honestly one of the limited appeals PG has for me is that it's a majority black enclave with a significant middle class. Which is ironic since sadly that's why the problems are what they are in PG.
If there was more political and social diversity among Black people in general I think PG would be better off. I've always found it troubling that in a community as educated and class stratified as PG that it's a one party state. Also even the black middle class will parrot the victimhood spiel of a Sharpton when their own life stories contradict it.
I think this gets in the way of improvement. For example I believe PG would benefit tremedously from tracking in schools. At least that way the middle class could have some assurances that if their child is academically able they would be surrounded by similar peers and challenged in an academic setting where the overall school maybe subpar.
Yet such an idea is and has been rejected by Blacks of all classes. Leading to an abandonment and deterioation of schools.
It doesn't necessarily have to be white people, just people with a different mindset. I don't think it's good that there seems to be a majority of people who seem to see things the same way. You tend to build up complacency.
I'm black, but I find a lot of times people look at me like a deer caught in the headlights when I say I'm not a Democrat, or that I'm not satisfied with our schools, or that I'm satisfied with our elected officials. It's as if we in the black community feel as though we have to defend ourselves even when the points are being brought up are true. There is this unwritten code of not putting each down, if you see something wrong look the other way, or you have to stay in this community because we are your people. This type of attitude is so prevalent that nothing really changes. Change is good, well at least sometimes. I prefer, to be honest, a diverse place. A place where elected officials do not believe they are entitled to positions. I'm tired of the same people running for office and screwing things up. There really is no reason why this county can't be great but it's going to take the people in this county to step up and demand more.
And as far as white people moving here, it's already happening. I believe the population, especially in the southern part of PG, is changing. I'm seeing more and more white people moving to Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, National Harbor and even Forest Heights. It certainly wouldn't hurt, but I think who ever moves here, no matter what, they should not accept the status quo. If we get more people here, who want to see change, the attitude and the direction of this county will change for the better in my opinion.
Yup! I remember was it last year they had the Dem primary and the campaign workers were handing stuff out at the local Giant. They see a black face and just assume everyone is a Democrat. When I said I'm not a Democrat not only did the campaign worker catch an attitude but another customer did as well.
I'm like I'm sorry I'm an independent and the Dems have had decades to right this ship and I'm seeing little progress.
Yup! I remember was it last year they had the Dem primary and the campaign workers were handing stuff out at the local Giant. They see a black face and just assume everyone is a Democrat. When I said I'm not a Democrat not only did the campaign worker catch an attitude but another customer did as well.
I'm like I'm sorry I'm an independent and the Dems have had decades to right this ship and I'm seeing little progress.
And the worst part about being independent (I am too), is you can't even vote in the primaries which pretty much decides the general elections in this county.
Here is my read about blacks and politics. We tend to be political liberals and social conservatives. This view is nothing new but it makes sense to me. We also tend to defend our own publicly and criticize privately. Problem is, we don't really know what to do about the bad actors
I used to go the independent route back in the day, but like Meatkins says, that's meaningless in PG.
And the reason why the current County administration feels familiar is that it seems like Rushern =Wayne. I don't know if that's bad, but we'll see.
It is a pleasure to have come across this thread. I enjoy reading your frank exchanges and perspectives. As someone who works in PG as a professional, I have to admit the thought of buying in PG came and went rather quickly. Even though I have been in the area for a while, as someone from other part of the country, I was pretty oblivious to the makes of PG county (till the recent election). My reasons for choosing the neighboring Montgomery county is pretty simple: I want my kids to go to good public schools. One may argue there are good teachers and good programs even in less desirable schools. Sure. It is hard to argue with that, but if I am so lucky to have the choice, as a parent, I wouldn't want to resort to that. All of my colleagues, Black or White, who live in PG send their kids to private schools, no exceptions. I'd just rather pay premium in my mortgage and go with public schools instead.
I am not a member of the African American community, so this may sound boarder line acceptable coming from me, but I agree with many of the things said by pgtvatitans, EdwardA, bowian... that Blacks really got to be vigilant and not to be complacent into accepting status quo. I am not sure how relevant this is, but for me I was really disappointed to see PG overwhelmingly approved the Casino Expansion ballot measure in the recent election. It puzzled me why PG would want to pay huge amount of social costs for low paying jobs, and why the measure won so decisively amongst county residents?! If it is because of Democrats and their endorsements, shame on them. Amongst my friends and colleagues, DEM or GOP, Black or White, people with kids don't support the ballot measure, librarians or the dont care types support the ballot mesure. So I dont understand why PG went for it. Can you guys share your thoughts? Thanks!
It is a pleasure to have come across this thread. I enjoy reading your frank exchanges and perspectives. As someone who works in PG as a professional, I have to admit the thought of buying in PG came and went rather quickly. Even though I have been in the area for a while, as someone from other part of the country, I was pretty oblivious to the makes of PG county (till the recent election). My reasons for choosing the neighboring Montgomery county is pretty simple: I want my kids to go to good public schools. One may argue there are good teachers and good programs even in less desirable schools. Sure. It is hard to argue with that, but if I am so lucky to have the choice, as a parent, I wouldn't want to resort to that. All of my colleagues, Black or White, who live in PG send their kids to private schools, no exceptions. I'd just rather pay premium in my mortgage and go with public schools instead.
I am not a member of the African American community, so this may sound boarder line acceptable coming from me, but I agree with many of the things said by pgtvatitans, EdwardA, bowian... that Blacks really got to be vigilant and not to be complacent into accepting status quo. I am not sure how relevant this is, but for me I was really disappointed to see PG overwhelmingly approved the Casino Expansion ballot measure in the recent election. It puzzled me why PG would want to pay huge amount of social costs for low paying jobs, and why the measure won so decisively amongst county residents?! If it is because of Democrats and their endorsements, shame on them. Amongst my friends and colleagues, DEM or GOP, Black or White, people with kids don't support the ballot measure, librarians or the dont care types support the ballot mesure. So I dont understand why PG went for it. Can you guys share your thoughts? Thanks!
It is a pleasure to have come across this thread. I enjoy reading your frank exchanges and perspectives. As someone who works in PG as a professional, I have to admit the thought of buying in PG came and went rather quickly. Even though I have been in the area for a while, as someone from other part of the country, I was pretty oblivious to the makes of PG county (till the recent election). My reasons for choosing the neighboring Montgomery county is pretty simple: I want my kids to go to good public schools. One may argue there are good teachers and good programs even in less desirable schools. Sure. It is hard to argue with that, but if I am so lucky to have the choice, as a parent, I wouldn't want to resort to that. All of my colleagues, Black or White, who live in PG send their kids to private schools, no exceptions. I'd just rather pay premium in my mortgage and go with public schools instead.
I am not a member of the African American community, so this may sound boarder line acceptable coming from me, but I agree with many of the things said by pgtvatitans, EdwardA, bowian... that Blacks really got to be vigilant and not to be complacent into accepting status quo. I am not sure how relevant this is, but for me I was really disappointed to see PG overwhelmingly approved the Casino Expansion ballot measure in the recent election. It puzzled me why PG would want to pay huge amount of social costs for low paying jobs, and why the measure won so decisively amongst county residents?! If it is because of Democrats and their endorsements, shame on them. Amongst my friends and colleagues, DEM or GOP, Black or White, people with kids don't support the ballot measure, librarians or the dont care types support the ballot mesure. So I dont understand why PG went for it. Can you guys share your thoughts? Thanks!
Actually some of the polling I saw showed PG supporting Question 7 less than the other notable Questions about gay marriage and in state tuition for illegals. Personally I supported it but I'm under no illusions that the positive benefits the politicians are promising will ever materialize. I figured might as well give them a shot and I go to casinos a few times a year might as well keep the money in state.
Frankly if a jurisdiction that sits in the weathiest region in the country is banking on casinos to save it they've pretty much acknowledged that the jurisdiction is a failure.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
