Let's face the facts. We live in a post 9-11 world.
A world where fear drives people's perceptions of folks they don't understand. Folks they don't ever INTEND to TRY to understand.
The media understands this more than anyone realizes. That's why it sensationalizes viewers on a daily basis, further etching images of religious extremism, violence as a result of such, and the fear that is borne out of it.
It's a vicious cycle that repeats itself over & over again.
But...
As much as this is a problem?? It's not even the half of it...
The things that Muslim Americans (and Muslims around the world) are being subjected to is racism at its worst. Yes, I said it. RACISM. You can't dress it up any other way. Their whole religion is being cast as evil. Their whole ideology in how they live their lives has been hijacked by generalizations & images of gun-toting, garb wearing demons. It's sickening to say the least.
At the forefront of these fear tactics is the idea that Muslims intend to invoke Sharia Law on our society.
Sharia Law: The code of law derived from the Koran & from the teachings/examples of Mohammed in the name of Islam (Muslim faith).
Basically, turn our country into a Muslim state, complete with beheadings, chopped off arms, women completely covered & relegated to second-class citizens of petulance. Yeah, the ignorance goes on & on.
This spewing of ignorance is headed off with the caveat that we, as a society, should "rid ourselves of these people & their ideology of extremism, fear & hatred." That fear is encapsuled in the thought that, upon their religion being accepted in our society, that it will begin a mission of taking over our society, wiping out Christianity in the process & ultimately ending our way of life...so the story goes....
Yet, surprisingly....this is the known. The obvious.
What's NOT being mentioned is the surprising part...
During every single election cycle (especially in recent memory), you have hot button issues that center around religion. And more times than not, you have what's called "the religious right" that leads this charge, of sorts.
(How the Republican party has hijacked religion is another story in & of itself. Especially when the civil rights movement was especially faith-based, but that's another story...)
Every political season, you have LOADS of evengelical conservatives banter on about "hot button issues" as it pertains to our society & the role government should play in "removing" these things from it. If you haven't been sleeping for a generation, then you should already know the particulars:
*Abortion
*Same-sex marriage
*Gays in the military
The religious right, or evangelical conservatives (call them what you want) essentially DOMINATE these topics. They have been on a mission to integrate their religious ideals on these topics into secular living for as long as I can remember. Yet, it seems as if the vitriol behind these topics is at an all-time high...and there's NO middle ground according to these people. Either you're against these things, or you're the devil himself. If you're a Christian?? You vote against these things. No if's, and's or but's about it.
These topics incite some of the most hateful arguments known to man, outside of outright racism...which is ironic because they generally flirt with the same lines of ignorance...AND...the same lines of HYPOCRISY.
Hypocrisy. Such a powerful word, yet an overwhelmingly forgotten one.
I'll just be blunt. That's why I'm here anyhow.
How in the hell can conservatives even begin to point their hypocritical fingers?? I mean...somebody please clear this up for me. You have, what is essentially, a crusade against Islam in this country, borne out of some ignorant "fear" that Muslim Americans & other Muslims around the world have this unified goal of taking over America through Islamic extremism & invoking Sharia Law in the process.
Meanwhile, back in conservative land...
Every time they open their mouths about gays & abortion, it somehow behooves them to point out religion, Christianity especially, and it's role in how these things shouldn't be a part of our society because...of Christianity & how it's against morality.
Hmmm....now THERE'S A WORD....
Morality...
Let's talk about that word morality, shall we??
So, Mr. Conservative... It's morally ok to slander Muslims & their Islam faith?? Pigeonhole them into some extremist category, beset with imagery of gun wielding lunatics, shouting their allegiances to Allah. That's ok, huh??
Yet, at the SAME TIME, use religion to invoke YOUR religious beliefs onto secular society??
Yeah...I smell a rat. A hypocritical one at that.
It's ok to use fear-mongering to convince your religious base to vote your agenda through...
(which won't amount to a hill of beans once they gain power....but you didn't hear that from me...)
Folks, a quick history lesson will provide you the perspective you need. Our great country wasn't founded as a theocracy. The folks that came here, invaded here - whatever your stance is - didn't come here to exercise CHRISTIANITY, nor any other religion. They came here TO ESCAPE THEOCRACY. They LEFT a land that was under religious rule for JUST THOSE REASONS.
Yet, you want to go BACK down that road??
Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn't bloody & barbaric...yet, you somehow fear that Muslims will bring barbarism??
Folks, let's be clear here... The crap you're being subjected to is simple. It's hypocrisy. It's hyperboly. It's downright cruel, ignorant & baseless.
Conservatives are attempting to rob you of your common sense by tapping into a very powerful source - your morality through your faith. Up to this point, it has worked. They've managed to hide their political agenda behind a safe haven that, ironically - is YOUR safe haven.
A common theme in the religious world is a very popular moniker: What would Jesus do??
That's a very good question. Good question, Jeff!
The answer is rooted in what Jesus WOULDN'T do. He wouldn't go around inciting violence against another man's culture. He wouldn't put down people to somehow raise His profile in the process. He, ultimately, wouldn't demonize a race of folks to advance His agenda....which is God's agenda. Why?? It speaks for itself. It doesn't need help.
I'll tell you another thing about Jesus. His message to us is FAR BIGGER than one or two hot button issues. He didn't overvalue abortion & homosexuality, while ignoring the rest...like conservatives have done without retort. We have to care (just as vigorously) about poverty, disease, illiteracy & corruption in goverment/church - just to name a few.
(Poverty is an especially tough one for conservatives, but I digress...)
Since YOU - Mr. Conservative - have forgotten about the role of Christianity, whether conveniently or not... I'll try my best to jog your memory & sum it up for you...
The role of Christians isn't seeking "power OVER" others - by controlling governments, passing legislation or fighting wars in lieu of religion. Christians SHOULD INSTEAD seek to have "power UNDER" others - as in winning people's hearts for Christ by sacrificing for those in need....as Jesus did.
These hot button issues you parade in front of all to see, flaunting your apparent moral superiority over the same people you want to vote for you....isn't what Jesus would do. It goes against ALL that He stood for. Your "moral" position isn't one at all.
To bring home the point, I'll reference a quote from a great man...
"When the church wins culture wars (in politics), it inevitably loses. When it (the church) conquers the world, it BECOMES the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you LOSE the CROSS." -Rev. Gregory A. Boyd
In summation, you lose the moral stance when you try to gain the worldly one in lieu of morality. Which is basically what's happening today.
Who should you REALLY fear??
The evidence is clear. YOU decide.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Jeff's Hot Topics: Locally & Nationally
Thanks again for blogging with me. I truly appreciate the droves of support I've received thus far. I do this for YOU guys. The electorate that is unspoken for. That's tired of nonsense & biased rhetoric. Let's get down to business, shall we??
Local Burn - Great Lakes Bay Region (Michigan - MBS area)
Folks, we are a short 4 weeks away from a very important election cycle. From a local ordinance standpoint, we have an important millage on the docket, which calls for the renewal of funding for the Dow Event Center in downtown Saginaw. I can't stress enough how pivotal this piece of legislation is for the vitality of our region & city. PLEASE SUPPORT THE MILLAGE BY VOTING 'YES' ON THIS MILLAGE. This is NOT a new mill; It is a RENEWAL, which is actually LESS than what it was before. A 'yes' vote is crucial. We absolutely cannot afford to lose the Dow. It is too important to our region's ability to draw all sorts of entertainment, business conferences & such to our area, which in turn, feeds our local economy & local businesses, therefore keeping resources IN OUR CITY. Again, a 'yes' vote is a 'yes' for the continued success & rebuilding of our community with the Dow Event Center in tow.
As far as the State electorate is concerned, we have the 95th district to be concerned with, as well as the gubernatorial - race for governor. As per the purpose of my blog, I won't endorse a candidate, nor will I denounce one - unless there are mitigating circumstances. From time to time, I will offer up tidbits of information that will help my readers to make an INFORMED decision, which is my overall aim. PLEASE READ UP ON THE CANDIDATES. The vitality of our region depends on YOUR VOTES. With proper public policy in place?? It sets the stage within the business sector, which will ultimately lead us to prosperity in rebuilding our region to be the best it can be.
In short?? VOTE...VOTE...VOTE!!!!
National Burn - Hot Topic on the national scene
Need any more evidence that big business is NOT your friend, nor a friend of the middle class & America as a whole?? Pay attention...
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was found to be skirting campaign laws by using foreign money to fund campaign attack ads. How the money is acquired is by way of offices set up (by the Chamber) in other countries. These "offices" are called "AmChams". They're basically donation centers to filter money through. These "donations" to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are then used (anonymously, by the way) to fund campaign ads & miscellaneous functions concerning the elections at hand.
(How is this bad for us, Jeff?)
I'll tell you. Matter of fact?? I'll use an example. Let's say you are General Motors. You have business interests in the U.S., as well as Russia, China, Germany, England, etc. You hear about the latest legislation in Congress. A law that makes it VERY HARD for you to make money in other countries besides the United States. This isn't good for your business, right?? How can I block this legislation or make it harder for it to pass?? Donation, donation, donation!!! Simply drop off a "donation" at your nearest "AmCham" & kindly remind your "AmCham" representative that you'll "donate" more to "the cause" in exchange for that law to somehow NOT pass. Follow me?? Basically, you can pay them off. Major, major problem, right??
If this isn't a prime example of how big business runs our government, then I don't know what is.
People, this is why I'm here. We HAVE to stay abreast of what's happening. Even moreso, we have to let our elected officials know. If you can spend uber amounts of time on Facebook?? You can shoot a quick email to your congressman or state reps to voice your concerns. Please believe - the source I read this info in was kindly copied & pasted in one, and promptly sent to Debbie Stabenow. Attached to it was ONE sentence: DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
This is MY mission, folks. I won't let you down.
More important than this?? YOU can't let you down. Get involved!!!
Our livelihood depends on it...
Peace & love to all.
**Thanks for reading. Make sure to subscribe to my blog below by hitting the link. There's also another link to subscribe up above on the right side. God bless you all!**
Local Burn - Great Lakes Bay Region (Michigan - MBS area)
Folks, we are a short 4 weeks away from a very important election cycle. From a local ordinance standpoint, we have an important millage on the docket, which calls for the renewal of funding for the Dow Event Center in downtown Saginaw. I can't stress enough how pivotal this piece of legislation is for the vitality of our region & city. PLEASE SUPPORT THE MILLAGE BY VOTING 'YES' ON THIS MILLAGE. This is NOT a new mill; It is a RENEWAL, which is actually LESS than what it was before. A 'yes' vote is crucial. We absolutely cannot afford to lose the Dow. It is too important to our region's ability to draw all sorts of entertainment, business conferences & such to our area, which in turn, feeds our local economy & local businesses, therefore keeping resources IN OUR CITY. Again, a 'yes' vote is a 'yes' for the continued success & rebuilding of our community with the Dow Event Center in tow.
As far as the State electorate is concerned, we have the 95th district to be concerned with, as well as the gubernatorial - race for governor. As per the purpose of my blog, I won't endorse a candidate, nor will I denounce one - unless there are mitigating circumstances. From time to time, I will offer up tidbits of information that will help my readers to make an INFORMED decision, which is my overall aim. PLEASE READ UP ON THE CANDIDATES. The vitality of our region depends on YOUR VOTES. With proper public policy in place?? It sets the stage within the business sector, which will ultimately lead us to prosperity in rebuilding our region to be the best it can be.
In short?? VOTE...VOTE...VOTE!!!!
National Burn - Hot Topic on the national scene
Need any more evidence that big business is NOT your friend, nor a friend of the middle class & America as a whole?? Pay attention...
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was found to be skirting campaign laws by using foreign money to fund campaign attack ads. How the money is acquired is by way of offices set up (by the Chamber) in other countries. These "offices" are called "AmChams". They're basically donation centers to filter money through. These "donations" to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are then used (anonymously, by the way) to fund campaign ads & miscellaneous functions concerning the elections at hand.
(How is this bad for us, Jeff?)
I'll tell you. Matter of fact?? I'll use an example. Let's say you are General Motors. You have business interests in the U.S., as well as Russia, China, Germany, England, etc. You hear about the latest legislation in Congress. A law that makes it VERY HARD for you to make money in other countries besides the United States. This isn't good for your business, right?? How can I block this legislation or make it harder for it to pass?? Donation, donation, donation!!! Simply drop off a "donation" at your nearest "AmCham" & kindly remind your "AmCham" representative that you'll "donate" more to "the cause" in exchange for that law to somehow NOT pass. Follow me?? Basically, you can pay them off. Major, major problem, right??
If this isn't a prime example of how big business runs our government, then I don't know what is.
People, this is why I'm here. We HAVE to stay abreast of what's happening. Even moreso, we have to let our elected officials know. If you can spend uber amounts of time on Facebook?? You can shoot a quick email to your congressman or state reps to voice your concerns. Please believe - the source I read this info in was kindly copied & pasted in one, and promptly sent to Debbie Stabenow. Attached to it was ONE sentence: DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
This is MY mission, folks. I won't let you down.
More important than this?? YOU can't let you down. Get involved!!!
Our livelihood depends on it...
Peace & love to all.
**Thanks for reading. Make sure to subscribe to my blog below by hitting the link. There's also another link to subscribe up above on the right side. God bless you all!**
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mailbag questions: via Facebook, email, face to face, etc
Thanks for frequenting my blog yet again. Your cooperation is definitely appreciated.
Any questions you may have, feel free to email me at jrbulls@gmail.com.
~Mailbag~
Question #1
Jeff,
Are you trying to start an Independent party?? Wouldn't that type of movement split the vote & ultimately help Republicans gain power??
*Great question. I am NOT trying to start a party of any type. Honestly, I'm not in favor of having to choose ANY party. Too many times, you have to follow party lines, even if that particular stance isn't something you believe in.
The ultimate purpose for this blog.....and my mission overall....is to INFORM people. Educate people on the issues we have before us as a community - as a people - as a nation - without bias or spin. I have no party agenda. I have a people agenda. An agenda to INFORM people. I truly believe that we don't progress because we lack KNOWLEDGE. We don't educate ourselves on the issues that affect us daily....yet we hold all the power through voting. That's my goal. To inform. Educate. Make voters aware. Fully aware of what's at stake. And let's be crystal clear: I DON'T CARE WHAT PARTY YOU CHOOSE. I DON't CARE WHAT SIDE YOU'RE ON. Just know WHY you're voting that way. Don't vote Dem because your mom did. Don't vote Repo because your well-to-do uncle votes that way. Have a VALID, fact-based reason to do so. And that's where I step in. I'm sharing facts, so that you can make that fact-based decision. Hope this helps!
Question # 2
Jeff,
I don't really have a question. I just want you to know that I appreciate your work so far. You've taken a brave stand....to NOT choose a side. Kudos, my brotha.
Definitely appreciated. I'm no messiah. Nor the second coming of Huey Newton. I'm simply a voter like you that's TIRED OF RHETORIC. Give me facts, or keep it moving. I'm not interested in your partisan agenda. I don't care if you put sugar on it. It's still crap. I'm just a constituent that's tired of NOT being accounted for. Taken advantage of. Chalked up to being an afterthought. I'm NOT a shoo-in. The normal black voter that ends up voting Democrat. You can't pigeonhole me. And what I'm trying to do is get people to NOT be fooled. To NOT be forgotten. To invest some time into these candidates. See what they are REALLY about. Who cares what color you are, what church you attend, etc. What are you gonna do?? In detail. Not some generalization that you're from here & you love this city....blah, blah, blah.... Either spell out your exact plan, or get out of the way. No more rhetoric. No more generalizations masked as promises. It's time to hold people accountable on ALL fronts. No matter the party. No matter the affiliation.
Question # 3
Jeff,
Do you hate Democrats?? Why are all these folks, especially on Facebook, suddenly turning Republican??
The short answer is no. I don't hate Dems. But this is a blog, so here we go...lol
I don't despise Dems. I'm just at a point where I'm enlightened....and that in itself brings about questions. What have they REALLY done for us as black people?? Look, I've grown up here. Born & raised. So I have a historical sense of our community....and for as long as I've known?? We've been Democratically run. Our local leaders have been Dems. Our representatives in Lansing have been Dems. But...our community looks the exact same. Even worse, really. Community centers?? Closed. Schools rapidly closing each year. Entrepreneurial opportunities are far & few. Under Dem rule, no less. And we aren't supposed to question that?? People have shunned my take on this. Said that we can't go to Repos. Pardon me, but....what are we holding on to?? Maybe Repos aren't the answer. That's for YOU to decide. But don't tell me that Dems are a mortal lock. I'm not trying to hear that. Take a drive around our city....and then reassess that. Urban blight & decay. Closures all over the place. Excuse the hell out of me...but NOBODY gets a free pass when I look at what I see. No sir. It's time to ask some REAL questions, folks. We're at the fork in the road. I'm standing there with questions. Join me if you see what I see.
Hope that helps!
¥Thanks for reading! Subscribe below by hitting the link. Appreciate your support!!! God bless!!!
Any questions you may have, feel free to email me at jrbulls@gmail.com.
~Mailbag~
Question #1
Jeff,
Are you trying to start an Independent party?? Wouldn't that type of movement split the vote & ultimately help Republicans gain power??
*Great question. I am NOT trying to start a party of any type. Honestly, I'm not in favor of having to choose ANY party. Too many times, you have to follow party lines, even if that particular stance isn't something you believe in.
The ultimate purpose for this blog.....and my mission overall....is to INFORM people. Educate people on the issues we have before us as a community - as a people - as a nation - without bias or spin. I have no party agenda. I have a people agenda. An agenda to INFORM people. I truly believe that we don't progress because we lack KNOWLEDGE. We don't educate ourselves on the issues that affect us daily....yet we hold all the power through voting. That's my goal. To inform. Educate. Make voters aware. Fully aware of what's at stake. And let's be crystal clear: I DON'T CARE WHAT PARTY YOU CHOOSE. I DON't CARE WHAT SIDE YOU'RE ON. Just know WHY you're voting that way. Don't vote Dem because your mom did. Don't vote Repo because your well-to-do uncle votes that way. Have a VALID, fact-based reason to do so. And that's where I step in. I'm sharing facts, so that you can make that fact-based decision. Hope this helps!
Question # 2
Jeff,
I don't really have a question. I just want you to know that I appreciate your work so far. You've taken a brave stand....to NOT choose a side. Kudos, my brotha.
Definitely appreciated. I'm no messiah. Nor the second coming of Huey Newton. I'm simply a voter like you that's TIRED OF RHETORIC. Give me facts, or keep it moving. I'm not interested in your partisan agenda. I don't care if you put sugar on it. It's still crap. I'm just a constituent that's tired of NOT being accounted for. Taken advantage of. Chalked up to being an afterthought. I'm NOT a shoo-in. The normal black voter that ends up voting Democrat. You can't pigeonhole me. And what I'm trying to do is get people to NOT be fooled. To NOT be forgotten. To invest some time into these candidates. See what they are REALLY about. Who cares what color you are, what church you attend, etc. What are you gonna do?? In detail. Not some generalization that you're from here & you love this city....blah, blah, blah.... Either spell out your exact plan, or get out of the way. No more rhetoric. No more generalizations masked as promises. It's time to hold people accountable on ALL fronts. No matter the party. No matter the affiliation.
Question # 3
Jeff,
Do you hate Democrats?? Why are all these folks, especially on Facebook, suddenly turning Republican??
The short answer is no. I don't hate Dems. But this is a blog, so here we go...lol
I don't despise Dems. I'm just at a point where I'm enlightened....and that in itself brings about questions. What have they REALLY done for us as black people?? Look, I've grown up here. Born & raised. So I have a historical sense of our community....and for as long as I've known?? We've been Democratically run. Our local leaders have been Dems. Our representatives in Lansing have been Dems. But...our community looks the exact same. Even worse, really. Community centers?? Closed. Schools rapidly closing each year. Entrepreneurial opportunities are far & few. Under Dem rule, no less. And we aren't supposed to question that?? People have shunned my take on this. Said that we can't go to Repos. Pardon me, but....what are we holding on to?? Maybe Repos aren't the answer. That's for YOU to decide. But don't tell me that Dems are a mortal lock. I'm not trying to hear that. Take a drive around our city....and then reassess that. Urban blight & decay. Closures all over the place. Excuse the hell out of me...but NOBODY gets a free pass when I look at what I see. No sir. It's time to ask some REAL questions, folks. We're at the fork in the road. I'm standing there with questions. Join me if you see what I see.
Hope that helps!
¥Thanks for reading! Subscribe below by hitting the link. Appreciate your support!!! God bless!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Giving credit where it's due
How about a round of applause??
Give it to them....
Get up on your feet & make some noise...
I've got to hand it to them. Repos, that is. They've secured a master plan. Carved a niche. And are executing it beautifully.
(What in the world are you talking about, Jeff??)
You don't see it unfolding before your eyes?? The GOP mustered up a plan to choke out ANY progress that even had a chance of succeeding. NO MATTER WHAT.
(Well, wouldn't the people see it for what it is?? Wouldn't they call them out on it??)
Yes and no.
Yes, they'd call them out...in a way. But really not. Why?? As bad as this economy is, people would only REALLY focus on how bad things are....which is TROUBLE for the incumbents....no matter if it's really their fault or not. People blame present office holders for their present troubles. Fair or not. Whether they've had time enough to turn things around -- or not. All the GOP hopefuls have to do -- along with their minority incumbents -- is hold the line. Vote anything that signals incumbent victory DOWN. At ALL costs. Short term failures mean nothing. Those in office will get the blame anyhow, right?? No matter the circumstance. No matter how good the idea is. If it doesn't come from the GOP?? No is the answer.
Beautiful strategy, isn't it??
Worse yet -- or better yet -- depending on who you ask -- or what side you're on --
The Dems decide to -- besides telling the American people the truth -- instead, turn on EACH OTHER. How does THAT work??
Let's see: We'll denounce our President & Vice President. Speaker of the House. Rahm Emanuel. The First Lady. The new dog & anybody else within earshot of the Oval Office.
Yeah, that'll work.
Political posturing at it's highest levels of insanity.
Who do you choose?? The snake in the grass?? Or the idiot lamb that wanders into the path of the snake.
I'll leave that decision to you guys -- being the independent I am....
I have other things to do....
But, before I go???
Give those cagey GOP hopefuls a rousing round of applause....
Job well done....
Even if the people have to suffer through the performance....
(loooooooooong sigh.....)
Give it to them....
Get up on your feet & make some noise...
I've got to hand it to them. Repos, that is. They've secured a master plan. Carved a niche. And are executing it beautifully.
(What in the world are you talking about, Jeff??)
You don't see it unfolding before your eyes?? The GOP mustered up a plan to choke out ANY progress that even had a chance of succeeding. NO MATTER WHAT.
(Well, wouldn't the people see it for what it is?? Wouldn't they call them out on it??)
Yes and no.
Yes, they'd call them out...in a way. But really not. Why?? As bad as this economy is, people would only REALLY focus on how bad things are....which is TROUBLE for the incumbents....no matter if it's really their fault or not. People blame present office holders for their present troubles. Fair or not. Whether they've had time enough to turn things around -- or not. All the GOP hopefuls have to do -- along with their minority incumbents -- is hold the line. Vote anything that signals incumbent victory DOWN. At ALL costs. Short term failures mean nothing. Those in office will get the blame anyhow, right?? No matter the circumstance. No matter how good the idea is. If it doesn't come from the GOP?? No is the answer.
Beautiful strategy, isn't it??
Worse yet -- or better yet -- depending on who you ask -- or what side you're on --
The Dems decide to -- besides telling the American people the truth -- instead, turn on EACH OTHER. How does THAT work??
Let's see: We'll denounce our President & Vice President. Speaker of the House. Rahm Emanuel. The First Lady. The new dog & anybody else within earshot of the Oval Office.
Yeah, that'll work.
Political posturing at it's highest levels of insanity.
Who do you choose?? The snake in the grass?? Or the idiot lamb that wanders into the path of the snake.
I'll leave that decision to you guys -- being the independent I am....
I have other things to do....
But, before I go???
Give those cagey GOP hopefuls a rousing round of applause....
Job well done....
Even if the people have to suffer through the performance....
(loooooooooong sigh.....)
Independence - Not all that different, but....
Questions from my readers:
~Mailbag~
Question #1
Jeff,
What does being independent mean to black people?? I mean - please don't be offended by the question. I just don't see an avenue for us as a people to go towards, in regards to being independent.
*Great question & comment. I'll simply say this. Independence & what it means to black people (all people, really) isn't about identifying a candidate, per se.... At least not YET. The movement is to identify OUR concerns & issues, all while making sure that ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT are aware of our concerns/issues. Most importantly - ADDRESS them. All that matters in the end is that our issues are taken care of. Will we ever get an Independent candidate on the ballot?? Probably not. At least not in the short term. But what we CAN do is get our issues to the forefront. The squeaky wheel gets the oil....and we're gonna squeak our asses off. Bet on it.
Question #2
Jeff,
I want to get involved in the independent movement. I'm in the same boat as you. Tired of the two-party nonsense. Tired of our issues being ignored. It's as if we're forgotten. They get into office....both sides....and forget the little person that got them there. They begin to cater to their donors & campaign contributors instead of the regular folks. That's gotta change.
*Damn right it does....and it will. You know how?? It starts with US. It starts with blogs like mine. It starts with people getting involved & staying engaged. You have a vested interest in this. I won't make any crazy statements, or send out false signals. I promis this much, however. We will come up with a way to organize this movement. We will then mobilize whatever resources we can muster up towards our common goal: Our issues being attended to. Point blank. There won't be any glitz & glamour. Strictly meat & potatoes. Issues, issues, issues. What can you do for US?? We don't wanna hear about fringe issues. We want grassroots solutions. Save the rhetoric for your blind followers. We see through all that crap. Enough is enough.
€Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. I will answer ANY questions you may have. If you want your questions to be published, please send them via email (jrbulls@gmail.com) & I will promptly answer them in print.
Thanks for reading & until the next post....God bless.
~Mailbag~
Question #1
Jeff,
What does being independent mean to black people?? I mean - please don't be offended by the question. I just don't see an avenue for us as a people to go towards, in regards to being independent.
*Great question & comment. I'll simply say this. Independence & what it means to black people (all people, really) isn't about identifying a candidate, per se.... At least not YET. The movement is to identify OUR concerns & issues, all while making sure that ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT are aware of our concerns/issues. Most importantly - ADDRESS them. All that matters in the end is that our issues are taken care of. Will we ever get an Independent candidate on the ballot?? Probably not. At least not in the short term. But what we CAN do is get our issues to the forefront. The squeaky wheel gets the oil....and we're gonna squeak our asses off. Bet on it.
Question #2
Jeff,
I want to get involved in the independent movement. I'm in the same boat as you. Tired of the two-party nonsense. Tired of our issues being ignored. It's as if we're forgotten. They get into office....both sides....and forget the little person that got them there. They begin to cater to their donors & campaign contributors instead of the regular folks. That's gotta change.
*Damn right it does....and it will. You know how?? It starts with US. It starts with blogs like mine. It starts with people getting involved & staying engaged. You have a vested interest in this. I won't make any crazy statements, or send out false signals. I promis this much, however. We will come up with a way to organize this movement. We will then mobilize whatever resources we can muster up towards our common goal: Our issues being attended to. Point blank. There won't be any glitz & glamour. Strictly meat & potatoes. Issues, issues, issues. What can you do for US?? We don't wanna hear about fringe issues. We want grassroots solutions. Save the rhetoric for your blind followers. We see through all that crap. Enough is enough.
€Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. I will answer ANY questions you may have. If you want your questions to be published, please send them via email (jrbulls@gmail.com) & I will promptly answer them in print.
Thanks for reading & until the next post....God bless.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Independence: The REAL "change" you can believe in
I could begin my first blog entry by way of prophetic dialogue....
Muster up some prolific discertation, claiming to be some messiah of the people...
Not gonna happen....
In that instance, I'd morph into what I despise....
A talking head, created by a party agenda, funded by those whom share my partisan views...
Suffice it to say?? I'm broke. And outside of my own ventures?? I like it that way. My pockets are empty of those type of dollars because I don't speak for those people. I speak for ME. I speak for those that are tired of sideline to sideline rhetoric. People who can't identify with EITHER SIDE. People who simply get up every morning, get their kids ready for school & themselves for work....and are mostly oblivious to what Fox News pundits & MSNBC anchors ramble on about every day.
Hedge funds?? Sub-prime mortgages??
Who cares??
Regular folks like us are more concerned with PTA meetings, after school programs & fund raisers for our kids' field trips.
We're too entrenched into daily living to worry about some hedge fund manager who makes more in ONE YEAR than most of us stannd to make in a lifetime.
Pardon us & accept our humble apologies for NOT crying a river because his taxes will go up from 15% to 20%, while small businesses taxes (people WE know) are still at 32%.
Don't bother passing the tissue...
(So Jeff... What are you getting at?? And why start a blog to "bash" people??)
It's simple. There's a voice that HASN'T been heard. One who doesn't have an avenue to reach anyone "in the know". One who sees election cycles come & go...and still feels unfulfilled. Ignored even.
Yes, I'm pointing RIGHT AT the inner city of Saginaw....and other inner cities like it. It's citizens, especially.
That's right. US.
The most undervalued citizen there is. Utterly invisible.
The one who goes to work everyday. Drops kids off at school on the way. Picks up kids from afterschool programs, daycare providers (that we can barely afford), shuffle them home to assist them with homework, spend some quality time with them before an inevitable bedtime comes upon all of us....
All to do over again the next day. Without fanfare. Without hoopla.
Without a voice to speak for us....
Until now....
Fasten your seatbelts, fellow unmentioned. The ride may get bumpy. We may even encounter inclimate weather. But what we WON'T DO is get off track.
We know EXACTLY where we're going. And who to target once we get there....
EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE BALLOT....
Ready, set....go.
Muster up some prolific discertation, claiming to be some messiah of the people...
Not gonna happen....
In that instance, I'd morph into what I despise....
A talking head, created by a party agenda, funded by those whom share my partisan views...
Suffice it to say?? I'm broke. And outside of my own ventures?? I like it that way. My pockets are empty of those type of dollars because I don't speak for those people. I speak for ME. I speak for those that are tired of sideline to sideline rhetoric. People who can't identify with EITHER SIDE. People who simply get up every morning, get their kids ready for school & themselves for work....and are mostly oblivious to what Fox News pundits & MSNBC anchors ramble on about every day.
Hedge funds?? Sub-prime mortgages??
Who cares??
Regular folks like us are more concerned with PTA meetings, after school programs & fund raisers for our kids' field trips.
We're too entrenched into daily living to worry about some hedge fund manager who makes more in ONE YEAR than most of us stannd to make in a lifetime.
Pardon us & accept our humble apologies for NOT crying a river because his taxes will go up from 15% to 20%, while small businesses taxes (people WE know) are still at 32%.
Don't bother passing the tissue...
(So Jeff... What are you getting at?? And why start a blog to "bash" people??)
It's simple. There's a voice that HASN'T been heard. One who doesn't have an avenue to reach anyone "in the know". One who sees election cycles come & go...and still feels unfulfilled. Ignored even.
Yes, I'm pointing RIGHT AT the inner city of Saginaw....and other inner cities like it. It's citizens, especially.
That's right. US.
The most undervalued citizen there is. Utterly invisible.
The one who goes to work everyday. Drops kids off at school on the way. Picks up kids from afterschool programs, daycare providers (that we can barely afford), shuffle them home to assist them with homework, spend some quality time with them before an inevitable bedtime comes upon all of us....
All to do over again the next day. Without fanfare. Without hoopla.
Without a voice to speak for us....
Until now....
Fasten your seatbelts, fellow unmentioned. The ride may get bumpy. We may even encounter inclimate weather. But what we WON'T DO is get off track.
We know EXACTLY where we're going. And who to target once we get there....
EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE BALLOT....
Ready, set....go.
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