Editor's Note: Joseph L. Jones, Ph.D., is a scholar, activist and political scientist. Opinions expressed are solely his own. Email him at josephljones@hotmail.com.

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One of the first things I teach my students in American Government 101 is that the only difference between Democrats and Republicans is how they go about managing the political economy -- i.e., capitalism.

Capitalism is an economic system that requires the economy be separate from the political system; it creates an unequal economic hierarchy and fosters a strong sense of individualism.

Democrats want to tame capitalism through government intervention (big government), using programs such as Social Security, corporate regulation and Medicare to provide a better quality of life for the lower and middle classes. Republicans want capitalism to go unchecked with no government involvement (less government) and allow big corporations and the rich to continue exploiting the masses.

Understood this way, there really is no major difference between the two parties because, at the core, they both want to maintain some form of capitalism.

The debt ceiling/deficit reduction bill that passed the House on Monday is a prime example of this framework. On the one hand you have Democrats arguing that the debt ceiling should be passed to ensure that entitlements and social programs remain untouched. On the other hand, you have the Republicans who argue that these same programs are keeping the country in debt and therefore should be cut drastically to keep spending under control. Out of this debate, the Tea Party Caucus was able to single handedly define and control the outcome by demanding that deficit reduction be added to the bill.

Some observers have called their tactics unyielding, uncompromising and even terroristic, accusing the Tea Party Caucus of holding the country hostage. I would add that race also had a huge part in this process because the way this caucus and the Republican party has been treating President Obama is unprecedented, and no white man would endure such blatant disrespect of the office of the presidency. Whatever you call it, the tactics worked and the Democrats and Obama ultimately submitted to their will.

Strategically I believe there is something to be learned from the Tea Party. From my estimation, there are about 60 House members in the Tea Party Caucus. Yet this small group was able to take a routine vote like the debt ceiling -- which has been raised numerous times before -- and successfully force their agenda into the debate. This proved to be a significant bloc vote with enormous leverage that led to the current compromised bill.

Currently there are 39 voting members in the Congressional Black Caucus, 31 Congressional Hispanic Caucus members and another dozen white liberal representatives who are minority sympathizers. Together they could build a powerful bloc vote for progressive issues.

Imagine if they collectively organized around ending the war on drugs (as the NAACP committed to last week during its national convention); they could become a powerful political force in the people’s favor. For example, the bloc party could demand that drugs be decriminalized during the annual budget negotiations in the House and Senate, and if demands are not met, they could then force a government shutdown.

Understanding the makeup of both caucuses, this might seem a bit farfetched because most of them do not have the political will or zeal to commit something as radical as this. If that proves to be the case, then it may be time to vote in a new set of representatives who are committed to addressing progressive issues. As we have been witnessing throughout Obama’s presidency, he does not have the courage or will to do it himself; therefore it is our job to persuade him do the people’s will.

I believe we are witnessing a new era in politics where bloc voting will become more and more common as America continues to become less and less white. It is no secret that President Obama’s presidency has shaken loose some visceral, racist antics that have galvanized a significant portion of white folk who are scared and fearful that their power and status are in jeopardy.

In the weeks, months and years to come, this tactic will continue to be used by the Tea Party, and those like Obama and other Democrats who take the high road toward compromise and do not stand up for the base will continue to be politically bullied. It is time for a bloc party, people, because without one, we will continue to see progressive interests forced to stand on the wall and watch the Tea Party dance our way out of existence.

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