Black Voters Beware!

Though reports are just being revealed about the nature of Russian disinformation and misinformation, it is astounding to see how much they understood how easily manipulated Black voters would be. Most of the misinformation under the guise of accounts supposedly belonging to Black Lives Matter or other such accounts, they were able to feed Black voters information that intentionally targeted them to either vote for Republicans or not to vote at all.

The report reveals that the Russian trolls were able to convince Black folks to attend rallies that became chaotic and unruly resulting in arrests, create such animosity against Black politicians and the Democratic party that many chose to stay at home and not vote or to vote and write in ridiculous names for the presidential candidate, and then to me, the most appalling event was in having Black folks malign and disparage other Black folks if they dared to discuss being a Democrat.  When so-called professionals, deliberately attempt to undermine the democratic process by promoting misinformation, we have a problem. The only people who can alleviate the problem is the Black Voter by educating themselves to the facts.

I’ve written about this before in my blogs, but it warrants repeating to some degree.

• “The Inconvenient Truth About the Democrat Party” as told by Carol Swain, Ph.D. at PragerU is partial truth and to me a whole lie. This is a conservative production, deliberately attempting to conflate truth with their own narrative.
• Fox Entertainment Network is not a news show and none of the Black hosts or pundits will ever represent the Black Community. They are shills (especially Candace Owens) who are paid to get Black Americans to rethink their values and hopefully persuade them to vote for Republicans.
• The Republican party of the 21st Century is not the same party of the 19th or 20th Century. Common sense–if all are paying attention to what’s going on in politics–should rule. Republicans are responsible for voter suppression (shutting down early voting, closing voting locations, not counting all absentee ballots, criminally collecting ballots to either change them or to make sure they are never returned, to intimidation–having racist monitors at polling places). Just recently, we have seen election fraud in North Carolina by the Republican candidate–Mike Harris, and Republican legislators trying to subvert the will of the voters in Michigan (Rick Snyder) and Wisconsin (Scott Walker)–simply because they lost leadership positions to Democrats and yet they think they have the right to legislate incoming Democrat authority.
• Republicans are still trying to keep Americans from being healthy and this particularly true for Black Americans who may be stripped of healthcare coverage because of their mandates, designed to strip people of dignity and access to adequate healthcare, especially for those with preexisting conditions.
• Republicans are slashing educational budgets in Washington to make sure that Black communities don’t have the resources needed for a quality education from K-12 and beyond.
• Republicans are reversing consumer protections that allow us breathe cleaner air, drink uncontaminated water and eat food not poisoned by chemicals in the soil.
• Republicans are creating a mockery of economic wealth enjoyed only by the rich since most of us end up paying the costs for unwarranted tariffs on goods we all all use. Ask the farmers how this has worked out for them and then while you’re shopping, understand why a head of iceberg lettuce will cost $2 or more in the grocery store. Don’t get upset with companies falling by the wayside and closing shop, get upset with the idiot in the WH who thinks “trade wars are fun.”
• Republicans are also reconstructing what anti-discrimination laws look like and that directly affects what access most of us will have to educational systems and jobs.

The point of all this is to make the Black Community aware of what has been done to discourage our votes for those (Democrats) who actually attempt to make laws that benefit us. The more we know–especially those of us who have lived through the 50s and 60s–the more wisdom we have to pass along to the younger generations. We must provide them with all the tools they’ll need to be successful and to survive the onslaught of racism and bigotry that will exist for generations to come. We must educate ourselves to the truth, living in the present moment–taking what we learn from the past regarding political parties and using it to build a solid foundation for our future–as forward thinking Democrats.

BLACK VOTERS–LISTEN AND HEAR ME WELL–We are an important factor in every election–local, state and national and it’s time we started acting like we are part of the solution and not part of the problem. How do we manage that? We get involved–totally engaged in the political process making sure our concerns are heard and addressed and and making sure we’re willing to “work” to make it happen. Talk is cheap and the only prayers answered are those that are followed up with action. Heard the saying, “Action speaks louder than words?” It’s true, we more involved we are as a community of Americans of Color, the less likely we’ll be ignored and the greater the likelihood we’ll see legislative policies enacted that benefit us, and not treat us like we are “less than” anyone else.

Is this clear enough for you? If not, please don’t hesitate to do the research for yourself or contact other Black leaders in the Democratic party for resources or to contact me via the email listed on my campaign page: facebook.com/YesIAm2020. This is not an attempt to solicit your vote, but the email address on this page is public knowledge and has a phone number you may call and leave a message. I care enough about the Black Community and what we can accomplish through the political machinery to risk having idiots contact me, however–my political platform is to represent all Everyday Americans and if elected President of the United States, that’s exactly what I’ll do–sign bills and lobby for those which benefit all the people, not just some of them. We can do this–unified–when we understand who we are and how the forces outside of us attempt to keep us marginalized, disenfranchised,  and underrepresented in all arenas.

Find a local Dem club and get involved and then run for office–on the local, state or national level. Don’t just sit twiddling your thumbs and complaining–jump in where you fit in and work it to your advantage–to benefit the entire community. Our Vote Is Our Voice In Our Democracy!

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Presidential Qualifications

According to the constitution–there are only a few qualifications a person must meet in order to run for president in this country. They are:

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

Therefore, if we’re going to be real and factual, our claims (including mine) that trump is not qualified to be president are not necessarily true–according the requirements as written. Apparently, the founding fathers didn’t think far enough ahead to anticipate the menace we now have in the White House–who certainly is not fit to hold the office. Ah ha! The difference between being qualified and being fit is exposed on a daily basis.

So, now how do we determine a person’s fitness for the office?

I’m not convinced that a person has to have held an elected position prior to running for president or be rich or have a well-connected family name. I am convinced that anyone running for the office of president should have a genuine concern and desire to serve all the people in the United States and not just some of them. Therefore, based upon what we’ve seen, the current Oval Office resident is only concerned with establishing policies that benefit the rich and campaigning to appease his base (40%) of the American population. And because people were so foolish to not vote because their candidate didn’t get the nomination in 2016, here we are today, in 2018, trying to figure out how we get out from under the oppressive, authoritarian mess that now exists.

The one bright spot to the traitor’s election is the fact that people–from all walks of life–have felt impelled to run for office and that’s a good thing. Complacency has taken a back seat to the horrors of what we now face as a nation.

I’ve talked to a number of people in the past year and will probably talk to more. Many are running for offices or have run and the recurring them for their political involvement is, “trump happened.” I know that’s true for me–if he had never been installed in office, I probably would have lived out the rest of my life, totally inactive, thinking that voting was enough. Just voting–is not enough! If we want to see a change in this country, every able-bodied, mentally stable American needs to get actively involved in the political process of this country–it’s the way Democracy works.

At any rate, let’s get back to the point I want to make–about having presidential qualifications which include being fit for the office. As most of my followers know, I plan to run for President in 2020. Many have said, they don’t think I’m qualified based upon a few factors: I’ve not held an elected public office (not a career politician), I’m not rich (no matter how rich is defined), and I’m not affiliated with any religious institution (meant to appease the religious sector in the country).

On the other hand, there are number of reasons why I believe I’m the perfect person (qualified and fit) for the position of President of the United States.

• I am an American (though the founding fathers didn’t have me in mind) who believes in adhering to the Constitution of the United States.
• I have been a public servant for over 20 years as an educator and volunteer in various situations.
• I know the three branches of government and the intent for checks and balances needed for a democratic process to work and have an affinity for understanding history.
• I have a better than average understanding of how government is supposed to work and will work to maintain (or restore in this case) the relationships between our allies.
• I have a heart for all people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs or anything else.
• I care about our planet and want to make sure my grandchildren and their children can enjoy breathing clean air, drinking clean water, and in eating foods not poisoned by toxic soil.
• I want every person who desires a higher education to have access to one without overwhelming debt (I know all too well how this is overwhelming)
• I want every educator to be treated with respect and dignity and paid as the professionals they are.
• I want every Senior Citizen to live secure in the knowledge that benefits they paid into will always be available to them.
• I want every American–regardless of age or pre-existing conditions to have access to affordable healthcare.
• I want every veteran who has served this country to be honored as the heroes they are and for them to have every service they need to continue living a productive life.
• I want every American to be treated with respect and dignity and afforded equal rights in every area of their lives.
• I want corporations to pay their fair share of taxes and for them to pay employees a living wage commensurate with their skills and ability.
• I want access for every person who wants to run for an elected office to be able to do so without finances being a barrier that impedes.
• I want to see America’s Democratic process work for every American and that the people determine the direction of our nation, not corrupt, bought and paid for politicians who forget how they were elected in the first place.
• I am as mentally stable as anyone can be at the moment with the constant threat of nuclear war by the menace in the White House who is truly the enemy of the people.

In addition to the above bulleted points–I am physically fit to endure rigors of the office and if for any reason, my physical ability should falter, I have no qualms about moving aside so that the country moves forward with the best person at the helm. My strongest character traits are my integrity and tenacity. My weakest character trait (and I’m working on overcoming it) is believing in the best of people. When I see the worst in them, I acknowledge it and sever ties with them. I know how to love from afar.

For those who think that having an affiliation with a religious institution is important, let me say this. My relationship with Jesus Christ is far more important than an affiliation with any religious institution since they “change” and Jesus does not. I’m happy with my relationship with other believers and even those who don’t. Neither belief or unbelief changes who I am or how I try to live life as a living representation of who God is.

So, now do you think I’m qualified to run for president? Only the voters will make that decision and I hope they find in my favor and elect an Everyday American who cares about all people, rather than a career politician, or entertainer simply because they have the money or family name. I want people to research who I am and determine for themselves whether they think I can represent who they are and address their needs.

 

Where Are The Wise Ones?

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives” (Proverbs 11:30 NIV).

In the Kings James Version of this verse of scripture, the words are slightly different. the last part states that “he who wins souls is wise.” The bottom line regarding both translations–it takes a wise person to win souls and save lives. Where are the wise ones?

In order to win people to Christ, we must be wise in our approach–“drawing people with loving kindness,” not brutal criticism.  If we teach The Word, based upon The Word, and demonstrate the love of God in everything we do, we will give people a reason to want to know Jesus!  If all they ever hear from us is criticism about what they wear, what they do, and when they do it, we will not draw them, but drive them far from us and any desire to want to know Jesus.  People who are able to demonstrate the love of God, accept others where they are and bring them into a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ. People will change when they see a need to change, not because we want them to change.  Our role as Christians is to help them to want to change to honor God, not us.

In order to save lives–of all people, especially those who are not in a position to defend themselves, we must have wise people in elected positions or other positions of authority. But before we can elect wise people, those voting for them, must be wise. Voters need to know the person for whom they are voting. They need to know their positions regarding the poor, the needy, the vulnerable, senior citizens, veterans, and everyone else. For a person to vote for someone simply based upon name recognition or religious affiliation is pure foolishness. This is especially true for those who say one thing with their tongues to entice and deceive and do just the opposite with their voice and vote in legislation. Voters–the everyday people need to research and investigate the candidates running in any election. Judges need to make decisions based on the law and not popular opinion–giving into the special interest groups simply because…whatever the reason. Lawmakers need to do the right thing for all people–and stop caving to special interest groups–corporations or the mighty rich in dollars, but poor in spirit and soul. They have already been deceived by the enemy when they attempt to “buy” the rights to rule legislators. 

Where are the wise ones? Where are the people who truly know God and how He wants us to live? Where are the wise preachers who know how to draw people to Jesus and not drive them away? Where are the wise?

I pray that most of us need to look no further than our mirrors to see the wise, but if that is not the case; if we have been deceived and influenced by the enemy, I pray for recognition of the hand at work and willingness to do something about it–change for the better.

Lord, help us to exercise more wisdom in all that we do. Help us to recognize the enemy’s influence and to shut it down–within us and where ever we have opportunity to do so. Help us to stay focused on promoting Jesus and the Agape Love that overflows onto all who are willing to receive. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!