How is this dogmatic label able to be repeated over and over without question? Upon plenty of research, the only substantial negative reports (substantial, meaning they are well-researched and backed with facts, not opinions) I have found on Bannon have the same exact quote from an old film colleague of his, Julia Jones.
Julia Jones told The New York Times that Bannon "had once said that voting rights should be limited to those who own property, as was the case in the early years of the United States." Ms. Jones continued to say "That would exclude a lot of African-Americans," to which Steve replied, "maybe that’s not such a bad thing."
Before we drive into an explanation on the apparent racism, allow me to elaborate on America's history and it's correlation of property ownership and the right to vote. This occurrence in history is generally frowned upon because it is seen as a practice that does not deliver freedom to everyone.
Douglas V. Gibbs, a historian, and talk show host wrote an informed and intriguing analysis on this topic stating "the real reasons for limiting the voting to property owners are actually very different from the collectivist viewpoint, and in truth, was designed in the way it was in order to preserve liberty, not limit it."
Gibbs further explains that "Since there was no direct tax on income, the taxpayers were primarily those that paid property taxes." Understanding this, it is important to note that those who paid taxes are directly influenced by politician's actions.
At that time, the majority of those who did not own property had little interest in political policy and remained uninformed. However, non-property owners who did want to get involved in politics were encouraged to work diligently to reach "the upper echelon of society".
Eventually, congress has decided that voting rights must adhere to the will of all people, including those who do not own property. This was agreed upon as long as voters reached a minimum age requirement and remained well informed so politicians could not take advantage of them.
Equal rights for all is a beautiful concept! Alas, human nature has left us with uninformed voters that care less about our country, and vote based on who will continue to issue them free college, food stamps, and health care.
I believe Bannon is not trying to show hate for African-Americans, but rather, display a fatigue in voters that, instead of looking out for the interest of their country, look for handouts.
In conclusion, Douglass Gibbs quoted Alexander Tytler who stated, "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
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