The Essence of Politics

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Powell Endorses Obama Again

I've always respected General Colin Powell and I still do after he endorsed President Barack Obama for another 4 years. It should come as no surprise since for almost a year the former Secretary of State has been in disagreement with the Republican Party on nearly every foreign policy and domestic issue. General Powell a moderate conservative or Republican with conviction.

While many might try to paint the General as a loyalist who gave an ill advised speech about Iraq's weapons of destruction on the United Nations floor on behalf of the Bush administration, he is in fact not that at all. In fact, I believe the General gave that speech based off of information or intelligence that he believed was concrete and accurate. However, as we now know the information was flawed. So since that day, General Powell has been trying to rebuild his image of diplomacy and not the neo-conservative war hawk speech that diminished his once spotless image. Therefore, Powell's endorsement of President Obama for another 4 years is not surprising since Governor Mitt Romney has failed to provide any real details of his foreign policy plan.

The General's endorsement shouldn't come as no shocker and less than 2 weeks left in the campaign, it comes at a to late too little time perhaps.

Monday, October 22, 2012

All Elections are Important!

Many people think that Presidential elections are the only important elections in the world. Millions of people turn out to vote in Presidential elections that don't ordinarily vote in other elections. What's even more frustrating is that even when people vote in these Presidential elections, they forget to vote on many ballot proposals that will affect their everyday lives more so than what the President of the United States proposes to Congress. For example, one ballot proposal in my state of Michigan this year, would give healthcare home workers the right to unionize and another ballot proposal would eliminate Public Act 4, which is the creation of an Emergency Financial Manager that can do practically anything.

Also there is the case of the non-partisan side of ballots where people get to elect judges to the various courts in their city and state. Thus, when I tell you every election is important it's no joke. While voting for President every four years is good, what really counts is voting in every election and voting on every ballot proposal as well as the rest of the ballot. Who you put in Congress is just as important as who sits in the White House? Who you elect to the United States Senate is just as important as who chooses the next Supreme Court Justice? Who you cast a vote for to be the Governor of your state is just as important as changing your states constitution by voting yes or no on a state ballot proposal?

When you vote, you make a difference in deciding who will not only be the next President of the United States but who can be the next Mayor, City Council member, State Representative, State Senate,  and even the next County Executive, Sheriff, or Prosecutor. Voting in every election whenever there is one can decide if your property taxes go up due to new bond mileages to build new schools or to pay for the community colleges in your county. Voting should be contagious and it should not only be done for the President of the United States of America but it should be done on a consistent and continuous basis in every election year.

So vote every year because every election is important.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Fact is Fact

What bothers me more than anything when it comes to politics is the notion that all politicians are liars or to be a politician you have to be a liar, tell a lie or believe in lies.  Well I'm here to tell people that you don't have to be a liar, you don't have to deal in lies or believe in lies to be a politician. In fact it is shameful that many politicians and political candidates distort the truth in order to get elected to office. What's even more shameful is that many supporters of the candidates continue to spread the lies even after the lies have been proven to be a lie.

Just look at Tuesday's Presidential Debate and you can find all types of lies told by both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.  However, it is good to see that even liberal blog/news sites such as the Huffington Post are not allowing either candidate to get away with the constant lies or misgiving of information they give.  Now I always expect conservative blog/news sites to give me half the truth but lately most liberal blog/news sites have been just like the conservative sites. So on Wednesday when I read the following article by the Huffington Post entitled, Fact Check: Presidential Debate Claims By Mitt Romney, Barack Obama Scrutinized, I gained new hope that perhaps the fact checking of political candidates on both sides of the aisle will begin back up again.

Still I caution those who support candidates or politicians on either side of the aisle to do your own research on certain topics and issues before posting what the candidate, politician or political website tells you to post. Facts are facts people and regardless if we like it or not, we cannot change that. So no matter what, don't just post on your social networking page information that you have not taken the time yourself to fact check or research.

Its vital we do not feed into the lies that are told by sharing the lies with others who won't actually take the time to do the research on their own but will rather believe what you or I say based off of what we post. Its time to start a truth telling squad and I am the first member. No more lies, just facts and the truth. Join me.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

How About Just Vote Youth, Vote


           Every 4 years, it seems to be a new voter slogan comes out to entice young voters to vote.  We’ve come from “Rocking the Vote” to “Vote or Die” to “Yes We Can!” to “Shut Up & Vote”.  However with each voter slogan comes opportunist’s willing to gain a profit because of good old capitalism.  Now I’m all for capitalism and for making a profit but what affect if any has any of these movements had on youth voting outside of the Yes We Can! 2008 was a rare occasion not expected to repeat itself this year because many millennium voters have become discouraged over the past 4 years due to what they see as a lack of change or progress.

           Thus the real question is why youth voters just can’t tell each other to vote because elders marched, fought and dead just for us to have a right to vote.  Why can’t youth voters just tell each other to vote because it’s the cool thing to do, it’s the new "it" trend, and it will be all anyway talks about on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and any other social network site on Tuesday, November 6, 2012?  We don't need anyone  to tell us to rock a vote when the vote won’t be rocked in no shape or form unless every single American in this nation actually votes in an election.  Simply having youth vote more won’t rock the vote but it will tip the scale of balance from more attention being paid to the elderly and middle classes to perhaps the millennium voter in future elections.

           When P.Diddy or Diddy, whatever he goes by today launched the whole “Vote or Die” campaign in 2004, it was cool, trendy and thought provoking.  Many youth across America sported the shirts and others who didn’t sport the original sported knockoffs.  Nonetheless, the message on the shirt at the time was never questioned.  However I’m going to question it because actual people actually dead trying to vote when they weren’t allowed to vote but in 2004 was that the case.  Nobody’s life was in danger in 2004 by casting a vote, in fact, no one would die by simply voting at the time of the slogan debut.  Still 8 years later and Diddy still a millionaire with a trademark on “Vote or Die”, has not been actively involved in the political process the last 8 years whatsoever.  In fact, more “Vote or Die” t-shirts are being sold yet alone the slogan is not even been mentioned until I just brought it up.

           We all know what happened in 2008 where there was a spike in the millennium voting with the “Yes We Can!” slogan.  I don’t have the actual statistics but last I checked at The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)—http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS_08_exit_polls.pdf—estimated that youth voter turnout rose to between 52 and 53 percent, an increase of four to five percentage points over CIRCLE’s estimate based on the 2004 exit polls.  However 2004 was considered a large turnout for youth compared to 1996 and 2000.  However the 52-53% is almost identical to that of 1992.  Even further research shows just how much the youth vote changed in 2008:http://www.civicyouth.org/quick-facts/youth-voting/.

           As we approach the 2012 election season and I look on my twitter feed and see Shut Up and Vote, I have to question does that mean if you don’t vote you have to shut up or just vote and shut up.  Either way I have to question, does that mean everyone who was eligible to vote in previous mayoral elections, state elections and so on have to shut up since they didn’t vote in 2011, 2010, or 2009 since they have been eligible to vote.  How does telling someone to shut up and vote encourage anyone to vote when voting is about exercising a right and it is a freedom of expression?  Therefore if we truly believe in the voting process than we couldn’t want to be disrespectful by telling people with different opinions than us to shut up and vote especially if you want that person to vote for the candidate you like. I’m just saying.  Nonetheless while the slogan looks good on a t-shirt, it doesn’t push the needle to get youth to vote.

           If we truly want the youth to vote than why not have a discussion with all your friends and you all encourage each other to not only register to vote but to vote not in just this election but every election.  If people are serious about voting and not just selling slogans on t-shirts what about telling people to vote and they will get a free t-shirt at certain polling stations.  If people are serious about getting the youth vote out than what about have a party on college campuses or at clubs near universities and colleges that offer discounts to those sporting I voted stickers or if you have the sticker stub from your ballot.

           The truth is youth have voted in a decent amount in Presidential elections since 1972 (40% or above) and at almost the same rate of (20% or above) in every midterm election since 1974—http://www.civicyouth.org/youth-turnout-about-20-comparable-to-recent-midterm-years/.  So why do the news media and everyone like to make it seem that we as youth aren’t voting.  While the truth is, those of us between 18-29 years of age, make up one of the largest voting blocs yet we are not one of the most sought after votes because we don’t vote consistently in every election.  If we as youth voted more constantly and could be depended on to vote in every election from mayoral, county, state legislature, U.S. Congressional and Senate races as well as Presidential and ballot proposals than perhaps more ads will be geared toward us similar to how campaigns gear campaign ads toward the elderly in Florida or Hispanics in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, etc.

           So until we as youth reach that point of just vote, we need to stop with the gimmicks on t-shirts as if they are actually going to persuade someone to vote.  Simply having the discussion of voting in one’s vocabulary is the first step to getting the vote out.  Just tell people to vote but not who to vote for.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Pastime I used to Love


           Since 1992, I have been intrigued with politics from campaigns to governing to elections and voting.  However each year my intrigue has dwindled to disguise and quite frankly it has to a point of complete disdain for a process that I once endured.  As a little boy, I couldn’t wait to actually vote but I refused to allow my age to stop me from participating in the political process.  In fact I was encouraged by my parents to get involved in my community.  I was encouraged to speak out any injustice that I saw at the age of 7 and even more than that, I was brought along to community, neighborhood watch, political and all types of organizational meetings by my parents.


           It was those moments that defined my political interest.  In was during that grooming phase of my life that I saw what right and wrong was and how passionate people were about not just people voting for a particular candidate but for issues that affected the majority of us.  Now granted I grew up in a impoverished neighborhood on the eastside of Detroit but it was in that neighborhood that we stood up for community issues.  It was that community that fought against city government, state government and even against those in the community who tried to sell it off, write it off and give it away.

           Now as I watch politics in 2012, I’m ashamed to call it the pastime I love anymore.  I hear most politicians and their talking heads today talk about the middle class and how they want to help, however they ignore the fact that it’s not just the middle class that needs help, it’s the poor.  Most Americans are living in poverty today so who is going to fight for them.  I hear most politicians talk about getting Americans back to work but most of them don’t understand that Americans don’t just want jobs, they want careers and the jobs that are available aren’t good paying one’s so how will they fix the problem.

           I hear politicians talk about the importance of making higher education more affordable but not one person has suggest raising the Pell Grant maximum to $10,000 or more as the cost of living is steadily going up thus the cost of tuition, room & board, books and more things in higher education are steadily increasing.  How can higher education become more affordable and attainable when parents and students are being forced to take out more student loans due to the fact Pell Grants and other federal grants don’t cover the full cost of an education at a university or college?  Some might say more people need to seek scholarships but even getting a scholarship isn’t that simple and most scholarships are attached to certain majors, stipulations of GPA standards, etc. so even more added pressure are added to students seeking a higher education.

           Don’t let me even get started on issues of healthcare, equality, minimum wage, immigration reform, and a host of other issues.  My point is simply, politics has changed not for the better but for the worst.  Even the two party majority political system has lost its way as each side steadily blames each other for the problems our nation faces but when their guy is in office, they make it seem as if all is rosy or that it’s the previous party in control fault.  The fact is that Democrats and Republicans are to blame for America’s mess, like it or not, they both had added to our  nation’s deficit, have ignored fixing illegal immigration and have even ignored curving the cost of healthcare at the expense of just passing a healthcare bill to say we finally did it.

           You don’t have to believe it or like what I’m saying but if you look at the tone of every political ad running today on television: they are not ads of hope, prosperity or positivity.  Quite simply they are ads of despair, fear mongering, and negativity that cast their opponent or the other party as evil and full of dislike for a certain group of people or issue.  Is this the way politics has always been?  Whatever happened to ads that displayed where candidates stood on the issue?  Whatever happened to ads that discussed a candidates plan for the future?  Whatever happened to candidates standing up for the people and being held accountable for their word?

           The pastime I love has become a sporting event where even the media are picking sides, which leaves people like myself who are unbought, unbiased and unwilling to give in to one side or the other feeling betrayed.  The media used to be one of the most unbiased things to go but even the news they give out is tailored to make things seem one way when it actually isn’t.  Therefore the news reporters on television and even the investigative journalists are even taught to chose sides and stick with it, all in order to ramp up ratings.  This used to never be.

           Now as I sit hundreds of thousands a miles overseas, I realize now more than ever that the pastime of I used to love has politics has definitely left me behind but I’m not willing to go away without a fight.  I’m not willing to conform to the norm just because the masses say so.  I’m not willing to stand by and allow candidates, politicians and political parties to ignore the real issues plaguing the people.  I’m not willing to allow the news media to betray the sacred trust to give the news to the people unbiased and full of the truth.  Therefore I encourage all of you to not give to what the majority is doing because the majority is not always right and the masses don’t always know what is right.

           If the pastime I love is to come back, it will have to do it by the people demanding more from the political process than the two bit sound bites we are getting that a small majority want the masses to hear in order to manipulate us into thinking one way instead of the other way.  Enough is enough, it’s time to change the culture for the better.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Malcolm X Day

I recently read an article by Toure in Time magazine discussing should Malcolm X have a national holiday and it made me realize just how powerful and iconic Malcolm was in the sense of what the American Dream really is. Malcolm came from poverty as well as hardships such losing his father to death while being young than being snatched from his mom and being put in foster care where he was thought he couldn't be a lawyer. Thus encountering all of that which led to a life of crime before hitting prison where he was reformed and started to become a dynamic civil rights leader in the north. So Toure asked what ideals would we celebrate on Malcolm X Day, May 19, his birthday? Many. Malcolm’s not a static intellectual figure — his mind journeyed throughout his life, he held firm to his principles but was also strong enough to re-evaluate his beliefs and change when he deemed change is right. He was far from a flip-flopper who moved because it was politically expedient — and thankfully not an intellectual mule who refused to change when he uncovered new information and perspectives. Malcolm was intelligent and bold enough to be open-minded. His courage to be a truth seeker is part of what we’d celebrate — his willingness to reconsider his principles, to be protean, to challenge himself and be willing to grow and thus embody the transformative potential of American life. We would celebrate not just his willingness to journey but also his journey itself, which concludes with militancy being defeated by humanism and with racial hatred being defeated by globalism and multiracial acceptance. While we celebrate Dr. King and praise him year end and year out it was a time when King was considered a threat to our society. So as Toure says, "Surely some will not be able to wrap their heads around supporting a Malcolm X federal holiday because they will get stuck on the image of Malcolm as violent. This misunderstands several things. King was, at a time, considered dangerous and was hated too and, more importantly, Malcolm merely proposed that oppressed people had a right to armed self-defense — an inherently American principle. King, who preached steadfast non-violence, represents America as it wishes it were, while Malcolm symbolizes America as it is. Malcolm never equated self-defense with violence for its own sake and he never fomented violence. He was wiretapped and followed inside and outside the United States by the FBI, the CIA and the NYPD for years and years — if he had incited violence, even in a private conversation at home, he would surely have landed in legal trouble. Indeed, the FBI noted its difficultly in neutralizing him because he did not conspire to break laws and lived by a stringent moral code. A New York police officer surveilling him went to his bosses and told them they should be helping Malcolm — such is the righteousness of his positions to someone who truly listened." Malcolm was a man unreservedly committed to the cause of liberating black people by any means necessary and his fierce but loving advocacy helps move the country forward as much as King’s Gandhi-ist movement. We cannot separate Malcolm from his era in that he conveyed the righteous anger of the black masses during his time but linked it to an articulation and a brilliance that was inspiring as well as a geopolitical, economic, spiritual and religious strategy. Malcolm was angry because we were, but instead of sparking riots he incited deep self-pride and linked the civil rights struggle to human rights. His militant advocacy was as stunning as it was necessary, to force the issue and imbue millions with the confidence and spirit and strength needed to overcome. He knew power gives up nothing without a demand and inspired millions to not accept victim status and imbued them with the agency to force America to become as democratic as it claimed to be. Malcolm is the true father of Black Power (and its son hip-hop), which deeply inspires all identity freedom movements that follow it. so without a doubt Malcolm X was just as important to America and the civil rights movement as well as black nationalism and humanism world wide than King, Ghandi, and Mother Theresa. It is clear that if America is to celebrate Malcolm X than more about his legacy and impact needs to be talked about to show the positive side of the things not always discussed. Malcolm's impact still lives on today and as, "Think of Malcolm not as an intellectual thug but as a Mandelaesque figure who advocated righteous and political-minded self-defense when that was necessary and later grew into peaceful humanists." Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/01/20/we-need-a-malcolm-x-day/

Sunday, January 01, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Be Independent

Today marks the beginning of 2012 and this is yet another Presidential election year. However I want to take this time and ask everyone to be independent. Don't allow yourself to be trapped in the political vortex known as the lesser of two evils between the two headed monster known as the Democratic and Republican Parties. It is time for a revolt in America from the two party political system that has left us as a nation crippled and left for dead not just the past decade but for several decades now. For all those who like to point to the glorious 90s, they fail to mention that our nation's national debt was even growing even with a balanced budget and a national surplus for a year or two. Still many political pundits fail to take into account that a surplus for a year or two does not wipe away a growing debt that has been in the making for decades and with each passing decade as Republicans and Democrats jockey for control of Congress and the White House, we the American people are left to wonder how have we arrived at this point in our nation's history. It's not as simple as blaming one political party or President when both parties contributed while several Presidents have added to this point of a crippling economy and poverty at an all time high. For years we the people have been caught in the ponzi scheme of politics as campaign finance laws have been shattered, our financial and banking system continues to get rich off the backs of the less fortunate and healthcare has yet to arrive to all Americans yet but the cost of it increases daily for those that do have it. All the while Congress continues to get an automatic yearly increase in its salary while it's suppose to be a pay freeze on all federal employees. Then don't mention the fact that those who defend our rights and freedoms abroad and at home, our troops, benefits and pay are being cut every chance Congress and the White House gets but they support the troops. You should laugh at any politician in Washington, D.C. that says that but voted to cut military benefits. So once again I tell you don't be fooled in 2012 by the two headed political monster known as Democrats and Republicans. Be independent in 2012 and break away from the political party system. Start doing your research and take back your country from the Democratic and Republican political parties that have been bought by the bankers, financiers and other rich as well as power brokers while forgetting about the poor, needy and less fortunate in the process. Now is the time to be independent and not fall for the trap once again during this election year. BE INDEPENDENT!

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