The Essence of Politics

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Repeal Michigan’s Driver Responsibility Act

If Detroiters and other Michigan residents needed any extra incentive for wanting the Driver’s Responsibility Act to be repealed than a recent article in the Detroit News entitled “Car insurance rate setting hits Detroiters unfairly” gives us as residents of Detroit and the state of Michigan reason to want this oppressive law repealed as well as insurance rates adjusted. Jacked up insurance rates are driving people out of Detroit and other Michigan cities, and forcing tens of thousands of motorists to commit fraud or roll without coverage. Residents of the nation's poorest big city pay the highest average auto insurance premiums. Shelling out $4,000 a year, or more, is not uncommon in Detroit, while up to half of its motorists drive uninsured. With many of Detroit’s residents driving without insurance, it just adds to the issue that if Detroiters are stopped they will be hit with huge driver responsibility fees.

Now while motorists driving without insurance is illegal and are wrong, but the high insurance rates are just too expensive for many Detroiters to afford thus forcing them to go without it risking being caught by police if stopped and paying not only a fine but driver responsibility fees for their wrong doing. This is partly because of so-called territorial ratings, which allow insurance companies to base rates partly on where drivers live. It's not red-lining, nor is it illegal. Regardless of their driving records, motorists with Detroit ZIP codes get charged more, insurance companies argue, because they live in riskier neighborhoods. Aren't poor schools, unreliable buses and Comcast Cable punishment enough for those of us who live here? So far, politicians have opted for easy answers to the urban insurance crisis, like proposing to ban insurance companies from using credit histories. It's a good idea, but it will do little, if anything, to close the gap between city and suburban rates. Many urban residents also benefit from good-credit discounts.

The problem goes beyond Detroit, Flint, Benton Harbor and other urban centers. Statewide, 17% of all motorists drive uninsured, up from 11% in 1989, says the Insurance Research Council. Michigan's economic slump will make matters even worse. Nationally, a percentage-point jump in the jobless rate corresponds to a similar increase in the rate of uninsured drivers. Unable to pay for coverage, some drivers buy fake insurance certificates for $50 or $60. Others get a bogus suburban address in a lower-risk ZIP code. A sales rep in Warren, when I leased a new car eight years ago, advised me to get a phony address outside Detroit and then forward my mail to my real residence in Detroit. "All my Detroit customers do it," he told me. Some drivers purchase insurance on monthly payments and then let the coverage lapse after the first month. Southeast Michigan's lousy public transportation system leaves low-income workers with little choice. Tens of thousands of Detroiters like Sylvester Long end up driving uninsured.

Long, 50, earns $9 an hour, or about $270 a week, working four days a week, stripping and waxing floors. Even with a good driving record, Long had to pay nearly $200 a month to insure his 1995 Pontiac minivan. He couldn't continue to cough up almost a week's pay every month for auto insurance -- so he drove without it. It caught up to him last month. Coming home from a neighborhood skating rink on a Sunday night, Long was rear-ended while he waited at a red light at Hayes and Kelly on Detroit's east side. He was treated for hip and back injuries at St. John Hospital and missed three weeks of work. With his vehicle totaled, Long now gets to work by bus, riding 90 minutes each way from his home in northeast Detroit to his job in the New Center area. If the city cuts Sunday service, he'll lose a ride to work. Long told me he's in continual pain but can't get adequate medical care because he didn't have auto or health insurance. "The insurance rates are ridiculous," he told me last week. "They have to get the rates down to, say, $100 a month for people to afford it."

This year, Long cut his auto insurance rates almost in half by shopping around, as the Insurance Institute of Michigan recommends. Still, rates will remain out of reach for many other city residents, even with the best deal. Reducing theft, arson and fraud are long-term solutions, but people need relief now. Uninsured drivers put themselves at great risk and can even reduce what insured drivers collect in accidents. Government requires people to buy insurance. It should also help control the costs. The insurance industry has proposed cuts in mandated coverage or medical benefits, but Michiganders appear unwilling to accept changes to Michigan's unlimited no-fault system. It's time to refuel the debate on territorial ratings. Setting rates by ZIP codes leads to some real absurdities, such as big differences in premiums for drivers living one block south of 8 Mile in Detroit and one block north in Ferndale. Michigan can't fix a system that forces many city dwellers to drive uninsured without eliminating or restricting how insurance companies use addresses to set rates. Until then, drivers like Long will pay an unfair penalty for living in the D.

Thus, this is all the more reason why Michigan’s Driver’s Responsibility fee needs to be repealed because if the state of Michigan can’t fix a system that forces many city dwellers to drive uninsured without eliminating or restricting how insurance companies use address to set rates than many residents of Michigan will continue to pay an unfair penalty for living in cities in Michigan. Therefore I encourage all residents of Michigan to call Governor Jennifer Granholm’s office in Lansing at 517-373-3400 and ask her to support House Bill 4098, the repeal of the Driver Responsibility Act now. Also write her offices and let her know that she needs to support Michigan residents by repealing the Driver Responsibility Act and supporting HB 4098.

Now is the time to repeal such an unjust and unfair law that is plaguing many residents of Michigan because the state hasn’t tried to help residents by fixing the insurance rates in this state. If Governor Granholm and the state legislators can’t make car insurance rates more affordable for Michigan residents than they can at least eliminate the Driver Responsibility Act that hinders many residents from driving in a state that doesn’t have a state-wide mass transit system to help residents get from one end of the state to the other. Therefore we have to put pressure on our State Representatives and State Senators as well as Governor Granholm and Lt. Governor John Cherry who wants to be Governor to repeal the Driver Responsibility Act. We also need to ask Attorney General Mike Cox to help us the residents on insurance rates and the repeal of the Driver Responsibility Act since he also wants to be Governor of the state as well.

If Lt. Governor Cherry and AG Cox can’t work on behalf of us the residents of Michigan to repeal the Driver Responsibility Act right here, right now than how can we depend on them to fix any of the other problems plaguing us the residents of the State of Michigan? If current elected officials want to show us that they care about us the people of this great state than they need to work to repeal the Driver Responsibility Act or they need to fix insurance rates in this state for city dwellers. Otherwise, we as voters no matter if we are Democrat, Republican or Independent need to find people who are willing to fix either problem or both. Now is the time to finally repeal the Michigan Driver Responsibility Act and us the residents of this state need to pressure our legislators to pass the repeal law in 2009 while they are trying to fix the budget, healthcare, ethics/transparency and education in this state. So call and write Governor Granholm as well as protest outside any of her offices to show her we want the Driver Responsibility Act repealed in 2009 and not a minute or year later.

Other Contacts for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm:
Lansing Office
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863

SE Michigan Office
3022 W. Grand Blvd.
Cadillac Place, Suite 14-150
Detroit, MI 48202
PHONE: (313) 456-0010

Northern Michigan Office
1504 West Washington, Suite B
Marquette, MI 49855
PHONE: (906) 228-2850

Washington D.C. Office
444 N. Capitol Street, Northwest
Hall of the States, Suite 411
Washington, D.C. 20001
PHONE: (202) 624-5840



Michigan House Bill Source:
HOUSE BILL No. 4098


January 22, 2009, Introduced by Rep. Bettie Scott and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending section 732a (MCL 257.732a), as amended by 2008 PA 463.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 732a. (1) An Until December 31, 2009, an individual,

whether licensed or not, who accumulates 7 or more points on his or

her driving record pursuant to sections 320a and 629c within a 2-

year period for any violation not listed under subsection (2) shall

be assessed a $100.00 driver responsibility fee. For Until December

31, 2009, for each additional point accumulated above 7 points not

listed under subsection (2), an additional fee of $50.00 shall be

assessed. The secretary of state shall collect the fees described

in this subsection once each year that the point total on an

individual driving record is 7 points or more until December 31,

2009.

(2) An Until December 31, 2009, an individual, whether

licensed or not, who violates any of the following sections or

another law or local ordinance that substantially corresponds to

those sections shall be assessed a driver responsibility fee as

follows:

(a) Upon posting an abstract indicating that an individual has

been found guilty for a violation of law listed or described in

this subdivision, the secretary of state shall assess a $1,000.00

driver responsibility fee: each year for 2 consecutive years:

(i) Manslaughter, negligent homicide, or a felony resulting

from the operation of a motor vehicle, ORV, or snowmobile.

(ii) Section 601b(2) or (3), 601c(1) or (2), 601d, 626(3) or

(4), or 653a(3) or (4).

(iii) Section 625(1), (4), or (5), section 625m, or section

81134 of the natural resources and environmental protection act,

1994 PA 451, MCL 324.81134, or a law or ordinance substantially

corresponding to section 625(1), (4), or (5), section 625m, or

section 81134 of the natural resources and environmental protection

act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.81134.

(iv) Failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an

accident when required by law.

(v) Fleeing or eluding an officer.

(b) Upon Until December 31, 2009, upon posting an abstract

indicating that an individual has been found guilty for a violation

of law listed in this subdivision, the secretary of state shall

assess a $500.00 driver responsibility fee: each year for 2

consecutive years:

(i) Section 625(3), (6), (7), or (8).

(ii) Section 626(2).

(iii) Section 904.

(iv) Section 3101, 3102(1), or 3103 of the insurance code of

1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3101, 500.3102, and 500.3103.

(c) Upon Until December 31, 2009, upon posting an abstract

indicating that an individual has been found guilty for a violation

of section 301, the secretary of state shall assess a $150.00

driver responsibility fee. each year for 2 consecutive years.

(d) Upon Until December 31, 2009, upon posting an abstract

indicating that an individual has been found guilty or determined

responsible for a violation listed in section 328, the secretary of

state shall assess a $200.00 driver responsibility fee. each year

for 2 consecutive years.

(3) The secretary of state shall send a notice of the driver

responsibility assessment, as prescribed under subsection (1) or

(2), to the individual by regular mail to the address on the

records of the secretary of state. If payment is not received

within 30 days after the notice is mailed, the secretary of state

shall send a second notice that indicates that if payment is not

received within the next 30 days, the driver's driving privileges

will be suspended.

(4) The secretary of state may authorize payment by

installment for a period not to exceed 24 months.

(5) Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, if

payment is not received or an installment plan is not established

after the time limit required by the second notice prescribed under

subsection (3) expires, the secretary of state shall suspend the

driving privileges until the assessment and any other fees

prescribed under this act are paid. However, if the individual's

license to operate a motor vehicle is not otherwise required under

this act to be denied, suspended, or revoked, the secretary of

state shall reinstate the individual's operator's driving

privileges if the individual requests an installment plan under

subsection (4) and makes proper payment under that plan. Fees

required to be paid for the reinstatement of an individual's

operator's driving privileges as described under this subsection

shall, at the individual's request, be included in the amount to be

paid under the installment plan. If the individual establishes a

payment plan as described in this subsection and subsection (4) but

fails to make full or timely payments under that plan, the

secretary of state shall suspend the individual's driving

privileges. The secretary of state shall only reinstate a license

under this subsection once.

(6) A fee shall not be assessed under this section for 7

points or more on a driving record on October 1, 2003. Points

assigned after October 1, 2003 shall be assessed as prescribed

under subsections (1) and (2).

(7) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this

section, if an individual owes a driver responsibility fee under

this section on the date the amendatory act that added this

subsection is enacted into law, and the individual pays 50% or more

of the total amount owed by January 1, 2010, the remaining balance

of the fee is waived. If an individual pays more than 50% of the

total balance owed by January 1, 2010, the secretary of state shall

promptly return to the individual the amount paid that exceeds 50%

of the total balance owed.

(8) (7) A driver responsibility fee shall be assessed under

this section in the same manner for a conviction or determination

of responsibility for a violation or an attempted violation of a

law of this state, of a local ordinance substantially corresponding

to a law of this state, or of a law of another state substantially

corresponding to a law of this state.

(9) (8) The fire protection fund is created within the state

treasury. The state treasurer may receive money or other assets

from any source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer

shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall

credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in

the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund. The department of

energy, labor, and economic growth shall expend money from the

fund, upon appropriation, only for fire protection grants to

cities, villages, and townships with state owned facilities for

fire services, as provided in 1977 PA 289, MCL 141.951 to 141.956.

(10) (9) The secretary of state shall transmit the fees

collected under this section to the state treasurer. The state

treasurer shall credit fee money received under this section in

each fiscal year as follows:

(a) The first $65,000,000.00 shall be credited to the general

fund.

(b) If more than $65,000,000.00 is collected under this

section, the next amount collected in excess of $65,000,000.00 up

to $68,500,000.00 shall be credited to the fire protection fund

created in this section.

(c) If more than $100,000,000.00 is collected under this

section, the next amount collected in excess of $100,000,000.00 up

to $105,000,000.00 shall be credited to the fire protection fund

created in this section.

(d) Any amount collected after crediting the amounts under

subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) shall be credited to the general

fund.

No comments:

Jay-Z - History



(Jay-Z - History)Jay-Z - History with Lyrics

LYRICS : [Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighter)
And the battle's finally won
(Gimme a lighter)
Victory (Lighters up) is finally ours
(Lighters up)
History, so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
In search of victory, she keeps eluding me
If only we could be together momentarily
We can make love and make history
Why won't you visit me? until she visit me
I'll be stuck with her sister, her name is defeat
She gives me agony, so much agony
She brings me so much pain, so much misery
Like missing your last shot and falling to your knees
As the crowd screams for the other team
I practice so hard for this moment, victory don't leave
I know what this means, I'm stuck in this routine
Whole new different day, same old thing
All I got is dreams, nobody else can see
Nobody else believes, nobody else but me
Where are you victory? I need you desperately
Not just for the moment, to make history

[Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighters)
And the battle's finally won
(Lighters)
Victory is finally ours
(Yeah)
History (yeah), so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 2: Jay-Z]
So now I'm flirting with death, hustling like a G
While victory wasn't watching took chances repeatedly
As a teenage boy before acne, before I got proactiv I couldn't face she
I just threw on my hoodie and headed to the street
That's where I met success, we'd live together shortly
Now success is like lust, she's good to the touch
She's good for the moment but she's never enough
Everybody's had her, she's nothing like V
But success is all I got unfortunately
But I'm burning down the block hoppin' in and out of V
But something tells me that there's much more to see
Before I get killed because I can't get robbed
So before me success and death ménage
I gotta get lost, I gotta find V
We gotta be together to make history

[Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighters. Up.)
And the battle's finally won
(Lighter. Up.)
Victory is finally ours
(Lighters. Up.)
History, so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
Now victory is mine, it tastes so sweet
She's my trophy wife, you're coming with me
We'll have a baby who stutters repeatedly
We'll name him history, he'll repeat after me
He's my legacy, son of my hard work
Future of my past, he'll explain who I be
Rank me amongst the greats, either 1, 2, or 3
If I ain't number one then I failed you victory
Ain't in it for the fame that dies within weeks
Ain't in it for the money, can't take it when you leave
I wanna be remembered long after you grieve
Long after I'm gone, long after I breathe
I leave all I am in the hands of history
That's my last will and testimony
This is much more than a song, it's a baby shower
I've been waiting for this hour, history you ours


[Chorus: Cee-lo (2x)]
Now that all the smoke is gone
And the battle's finally won
Victory is finally ours
History, so long, so long
So long, so long



Man in the Mirror--By Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror

I'm gonna make a change,
for once im my life
It's gonna feel real good,
gonna make a diference
Gonna make it right...

As I, turn up the collar on
my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
with not enought to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer disregard,a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?

A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
(Washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
(Starting with me!)

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Ooh!)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Change his ways - ooh!)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that..
(Take a look at yourself and then make that..)
CHANGE!

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror - Oh yeah!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better change!)
No message could have been any clearer
(If you wanna make the world a better place)


Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror

A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cook






It's been a long time coming but a change is surely going to come in America and the World! I am the Future of America and the World and that is the message that each of us must carry with us each and every day that we wake up on Earth! I am the Future! You are the Future! We are the Future of America and the World! That is way every election is important--primaries, special elections and general! So vote every year and hold our politicians accountable. Hold our political officials accountable by writing them, calling them and making sure they attend meetings that we the people have. "The Time for Change is not Now but Right Now!"

"EmPOWERment By Any Means Necessary" should be our anthem and should be our creed as we make the positive differences in America and the world that so many people beg for and hungry for year after year! A Change is Gonna Come, A Change is Gonna Come, that's what we must say as we say "God grants us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, Courge to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference" each morning before we go about the task of making a positive change in America and the world a reality.



Born In The U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen


“When will people realize that we are Americans first and foremost, not Democrats or Liberals, not Republicans or Conservatives, not Independents or moderates. We are Americans. Stop putting a political party above America and stop putting any politican above America. America succeeds because of us the people holding our government responsible no matter the political party because the main two political parties are to blame for the condition America is in."—Hodari P.T. Brown

America with its flaws and all is a country I am proud to have been born in. America is not perfect but my love for it is perfect. That’s why all Americans must realize that we are all Americans. In fact we are Americans first and foremost. We are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans.

We are not Muslims, Christians or Jews. We are Americans. Too many times we recognize our differences with others rather than appreciating our similarities which are, we are Americans. We are Americans first and foremost, no matter if we were born here or moved here legally. We are all Americans, here in this country to make not only our lives better but the lives of other Americans better so future Americans can enjoy the rights and freedoms that make us all Americans.

We are all Americans. We are one party united under God. We are Americans and this is the only political party that matters. We are Americans and this is our country so let’s make sure that we make America better than how we found it so future Americans can live prosperous and joyous lives. We are Americans and must not ever forget that.

America will prosper as long we make sure we are doing our part to make it prosper and that means we can’t put any political party or politician above America. Long live America forever and long live America’s service to the world. Together, America and the world will prosper for future generations to enjoy America and the world we live in.


Lift Every Voice and Sing


This video of the ' Negro National Anthem' was originally screened at the historic African-American Church Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC on January 18th, 2009. Many of the esteemed individuals featured in this video in attendance and we presented with the ' Keepers of the Flame' award for the monumental contributions to social justice.

This version of the song was performed by the Grace Baptist Church Cathedral Choir, conducted by Derrick James. The video was produced and donated by Ascender Communications, LLC (www.ascender-c.com) at the request of The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

If I Was President--Wyclef Jean




If I was President that is the people's anthem. We all have ideas of what we can do as President and through this website, we will fulfill our deam as a people!

Somethings Gotta Give--Big Boi ft Mary J Blige



Somethings Gotta Give people and it begins today for all us to make sure that something is us. We the people are sick and tired of suffering. Where is our piece of the Dream that so many people dead for so that we all could see today. This is our time people to change America and the world so that the Next Generation has a better future than the past we inherited.

This is our call to service. This isn't about one political candidate or one political figure. This is about us as people coming together to finally leave up to our potential and achieving the great feats that those before us have achieved. This is our moment to lead our nation and our world to greater heights.

Somethings gotta give people and it starts with us the people making it happen. We have to improve our education system in America. We have to rid the world of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We have to go to the streets and lift a hand to another in order to decrease poverty in this world. We have to take a stand today and make sure that the future of America and the world is brighter than it has ever been.

Somethings Gotta Give and that is why we must "Remember Each One, Reach One and Teach One so America's future and the World's future continues to prosper."

John Legend - "If You're Out There"


If you're out there than you need to get started in helping to change America and the world. The world and America won't change until you get involved in making the changes you want to see in this world. If you're out there, than you must know that tomorrow started now and today started yesterday so you are behind in helping to the change. If you are tired of hatred, racism, poverty, war, and violence than the time to change it is now. If you want universal health care, world peace, democracy for every nation, equal rights, and happiness for all than you must get involved now to help the save world.

You must believe in the change that you want to see and you must act on making that change a reality. If you're out there than say it aloud and show the rest of America and the world that you're out here to make a real positive change in the communities we stay in. If you're out there than get involved now. I'm calling every women and men to join me as we take back our country right here, right now. If you're out there than the future started yersterday and we are already late so we have lots of work to do but I know we can do it together as one.

YES WE CAN



Yes We Can accomplish anything that we set out to do! We don't need charismatic or inspirational leaders to believe in ourselves and to take responsiblity for our own faith, we just need each other. Yes We Can build a new America and a new world if each of us would take action now to make the changes that we want to see in the world. Yes We Can control government by holding our political officials accountable for their actions by calling them out when they don't pass legislation that supports the common good of all man and by voting in every election to ensure that we have people representing the people locally, state wide, nationally and in the world.

Yes We Can be great! Yes We Can be what we want to be! Yes We Can be glorious in not only America but the world! Yes We can put action behind our worlds and change the world starting right here, right now! Yes We Can as Republicans, Democrats and Independents become one as we freely think about our fellow men and women and make decisions that will be in the best interest of all people and not one single group.

Yes We Can be the change that we want to see in the world! Yes We Can show the world that the youth are ready to lead! Yes We Can put our egos, our social economic statuses, our religions, our educational statuses and our skin color to the side for the better good of the world! Yes We Can be Greater than we have ever been and help others be Greater than they have ever be!

YES WE CAN and YES WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS IN ALL THAT WE DO! YES WE CAN, no matter what others may say, we will be glorious! YES WE WILL and YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN is what will be sung from every mountaintop, every riverbank, every household, every school yard, every factory, every sporting event, every college campus and even every place you can imagine in the world is where YES WE CAN, will be said and heard!

YES WE CAN!

Keep On Pushing - Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions


Wake Up People! No matter who is elected to any public office, we have to “Keep On Pushing” as a people to make sure they don’t leave us in a worst state than what they inherited. We as a people have to “Keep On Pushing” to make a difference in the lives of others. We have to have an “EmPOWERment By Any Means Necessary” attitude as we continue to push our agenda that we the people deserve and want better. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change in a positive way that will benefit all Americans no matter their age, their religion or skin color. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change that will improve our education system, improve our military, improve our national security, improve our healthcare system and improve our economy. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change that will leave America’s future in a better than how we found it and that will leave the world’s future in a better state than we imagined we could live it. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to make life better for our neighborhoods, our families and even our quote on quote enemies. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to inspire, to uplift and to guide those who need help spiritually, physically and mentally. We have to “Keep On Pushing ” so that our lives, our future generation’s lives and the lives of those who came before us does not die in vein.

“Keep on Pushing”

A War For Your Soul

A War For Your Soul-regular version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.


The moment has come for us as a nation of people to finally wake up and realize that our destiny and fate in society has rests on our shoulders. We cannot allow the forces of evil and darkness to drain us out. We have to continue to overcome all odds in order to make the future of our nation better and the future of future generations of Americans better. We have to continue to pray to our Lord and we have to continue to uplift each other in prayer as well as take action against those things that are trying to destroy us. We have to stand up once and for all and be the future that we want to be. Now is our time and we shall do together by any means necessary.

This video was created to inspire young African-Americans not to fall prey to some of the problems they face in society. The use of the voice "Master of Darkness" represents evil, which is where the blame of all problems should be placed, and not on any one group of people. This video should not to be used to divide people (Black & White), there are images of heroes that are white in this video, and there are images of Black & White coming together with the words of Dr. King in the background. Some of the images from the past can be unsettling, but they are used to show all Americans how far we have come, and how far we still have to go. This film is being strategically placed in school systems, churches and youth orgs around the country, in hope of helping a lost generation of kids that we as Americans have forgotten. As fellow Americans we must continue to love each other, and take that love and spread it to the rest of the world. **THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR SALE & I AM NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE FILM, I ONLY WANT THE MESSAGE TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY HIDDEN POLITICAL OR FINANCIAL AGENDA.

Sitting On the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding



"The time for sitting is over! The time for action is now! The time for hope without action is hopeless! The time for change without a positive attitude is a change that we can't believe in! We need change that is positive of helping all people! Our time for action is now, our time for hope is now, our time for change is now and our time to believe that we can do whatever we set our minds to is not now but right now!"

STAR SPANGLED BANNER


The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!


O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; "
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Black President



Our Time is not now but Right Now! Our Time has finally come to change the world not now but Right Now! If you don't believe that we can change the world than watch as we do it by changing your mind into believing in us and what we can do! This is OUR TIME RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

FIGHT THE POWER



We got to FIGHT THE POWER! We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch injustices take place. We can no longer sit by and allow our right to vote to become unexercised. We must FIGHT THE POWER for our past, present and future! We can no longer allow our rights to be oppressed and our voice to become drained by the powers at be. We must FIGHT THE POWER and show that we have a lot to say that needs to be heard by the mainstream media. We must FIGHT THE POWER and live up to our potential as dynamic, unbelievable and phenomenal people.


We must not believe the hype but we must become the hype. We are not Harriett Tubman, Marcus Garvey, MLK, Malcolm X, Booker T. Washington, Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. DuBois, the Black Panther Party, SNCC, or any other activists but we are the fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunties, and relatives of those who came before us to pave the way for us to FIGHT THE POWER! We are not next Generation of leaders who will not be honored and praised until they die but that’s the fight we accept. We are not fighting the power for glory or fame but we are fighting the power for just causes that most men and women will not understand until years or decades later.


We are fighting for our sisters and brothers in Darfur, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, China and Mexico. We are speaking for those who are poor and have no food or water. We are fighting for those who are sick and dying. We are fighting for universal healthcare across the world and human rights for all people. We are fighting for rich and poor! We must FIGHT THE POWER no matter how hard and tough the road may be. We must FIGHT THE POWER for a better today and an even greater tomorrow!


FIGHT THE POWER!

PEOPLE GET READY


“People Get Ready” our time is coming! We have come too far to turn back now. Our train is coming and it is coming in waves. “People Get Ready”, we don’t need a ticket but we need faith and the Lord will help guide us as we take back America and the world. “People Get Ready” our moment is now and we are ready to see the change we want in America and the world. All we got to do is have faith, hope and prosperity. “People Get Ready” to face your fears. “People Get Ready” to face your demons and the challenges of yesterday because today and tomorrow we will conquer & be victorious. “People Get Ready” a change is coming and our actions will make sure that change is a real positive change that lasts forever.


“People Get Ready” because we have had enough of just talking but now is our time to show action. “People Get Ready” to take back America and the world. “People Get Ready” to take back our communities and to make our streets safer and schools better. “People Get Ready” to make all our dreams come true. “People Get Ready” to see a better present for everyone and a better future for future generations. “People Get Ready” to live up to your potential and to help others live up to their own potential. “People Get Ready” to move past hatred, bigotry, racism and sexism. “People Get Ready” to fulfill the dreams of those who came before us and those who will come after us.


“People Get Ready” as we make our actions speak louder than our words. “People Get Ready” to make words mean something again as we put action to back up our rhetoric. “People Get Ready” as we embark on a new journey that will re-write America’s history as well as the world’s history. “People Get Ready” as we make the lives of others better and the lives of future generations better. “People Get Ready” because all we need is faith, hope and action to make this world a better place. “People Get Ready” to make a difference. “People Get Ready” to fulfill the American dream. “People Get Ready" to live out the American Dream as our founding fathers wanted us to live it. “People Get Ready” because our time is now, our moment is now and our moment in time to change America & the world is not now but right now. “People Get Ready” because a change is coming!


Alicia]
(Let me tell you now)
People get ready, there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the lord

[Lyfe]
People get ready, for a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among those loved the most

[Alicia]
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all man kind just to save his own (believe me now)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the kingdoms throne

[Alicia & Lyfe]
So people get ready there's a train coming
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humming,
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the lord


“PEOPLE GET READY!”

God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood


Lee Greenwood-god bless the U.S.A