Belief in America

The belief in America held by its citizens have become questionable. So many have developed this 'me attitude'. "It's all about I!" This is not productive or conducive to a healthy country. If we continuously focus on ourselves, how can we better our country?

What ways can we better our country? First starting with self is always the best. If an individual is going to concentrate on self, then he must do it where the outcome is for the greater good. Wanting to start a business is good. Wanting to start a family or buy a home is very good for self and country. These goals have two positive outcomes. It allows one to achieve personal goals and it also adds to those around them. Another way to better the country is take a role of influence. teaching, social services, public administration. There are many avenues available for one to impact society positively.

This 'me mentality' has never made a country stronger or more durable through international discord. We must bond together in perspective. That perspective being that by bettering our country, we better ourselves. There is much said about the top down, trickle down effect. It works. If we invest in America, the citizens will see the return. Our children will have better education, healthcare and economy. That perspective is key. Look at history, at those civilizations that have persevered  through adversity and became an empire.
The citizens of those empires believed in their country.

We have to believe in America. When we go to the polls to vote in November, think about the betterment of your country, which is a better life for you, your future and your family.

Young America is our FUTURE!

Presidential Character

There is an unspoken rule among voters about presidential character. A citizen has his own perspective of how a leader should be. His appearance, speech and mannerisms. His background and family. These things and more are all taken into account. Does is really matter? If so, how much and to whom?
 
 There is always someone on the payroll that observes and evaluates a presidential candidate's character, appearance, interaction and response. There is not a larger stage where these things have a bigger impact. If there is one tiny mishap the media is all over it and now the whole world knows. People who view the mishap from a media clip get a manipulated view of what happened. They then have a different perspective of that candidate. Not because the mishap couldn't have happened to them but that the mishap isn't suppose to happen to those running for office. Their not suppose to be human, at least not in that category. We all want someone we can relate to, but at the same time we want someone who is beyond the common mold. The emphasis placed on these types of things have become absurd.

Who sets the standard? Is it former presidents, the media or voters? I believe it is all of them. But each has a growing impact on the other. We take from former presidents examples of great character. The media creates a profile through repetitive broadcasting that shape the minds of voters. Voters take bits and pieces of information and relate that candidate to themselves and then forms some type of opinion. In this election class warfare has been the main topic. The character of the two have been displayed as polar opposites. Whether this is true or not is for the voters to decide. But as we all know voters are very impressionable. That's why all of those negative ads are published; to manipulate voters. Their truth is what they want you to know. Not only that, they want you to vote based on their perspective.

Information is the most important commodity on the planet. But if one cannot tell truth from lies than their lost. Every time someone tries to sell you something you have to decide whether its real or fake. Whether it benefits you or not. The same is true in this presidential election. You are being sold a leader. The character of these two men is very important, but how do you know what their true character is? Will you ever know? Probably not. I charge you to be prudent in your judgement of these men. Of what you see and hear. Don't let the manipulated view delivered by the media and negative attack ads be the reason you vote for either man.


Young America is our FUTURE!

What Matters To You

 Have you ever considered what matters to you? I mean really! Have you ever thought about what is important to you and why these things are priorities? Connect that with who holds the power to make those things happen. First and foremost, God is almighty and all powerful. But He does place men in certain positions of influence and power. How do these men affect your environment and priorities?

What does matter? That is a big question. There are many things to consider. A way to evaluate these priorities is to take a look at your life and see what you place value on. Faith? Family? Friends? Money? Work? A certain lifestyle? These would be primary priorities. Secondary priorities would be: Hobbies, Activities, and Vices. These are a few of many. The reason to observe these priorities is because humans have a common genetic impulse to protect what they have. Whether it's faith ,family, money or life. A lot of people would go above and beyond to hold on to those things.

Those who are in positions to affect those priorities either become your friends or your enemies. Whether literally or metaphorically. As a child you wanted acceptance among your peers and those who made that an obstacle were your enemies; those that helped to achieve that goal were your friends. That is how basic it was and still is. Apply that same principle to politicians and constituents. Those elected officials who want to change the standard that you have set for yourself and your family are your enemies; those who want to protect that standard are your friends. It's just that basic. But consider this:

There are approximately 315 million people in the United States.

By race: 71.% White; 13% Black; 16% Hispanic; 6% Asian.

By Age: 0-9 13%; 10-34 34%; 35-64 40%; 65&up 13%

There are many ways to breakdown the numbers. They will all show that we, as a nation, are very diverse. There cannot be a solo vision when selecting a leader of everyone, not just for yourself. Every individual needs to ask themselves: What does that country look like that promotes true opportunity, where a man can create, invest or accompany a dream to reality? Where one can practice their faith safely under the Bill of Rights. Where families build on each others work generation after generation or break off and make their own tradition. Where education is a top priority, not only in speech but in results. What does that country look like and what can I do to help build that country? Most importantly, you can be the change you want to see. Secondly, be wise in the selection of who you select as the rule makers.

It has been said by many people, many times over, that "All politicians are liars." I disagree. But if that were true, you have an opportunity to fire or re-elect every term. Its three forms of action: You voted for the lying politician. You voted against the lying politician. Or you didn't vote, which is even worse. You silenced your voice and your influence.  If they are liars you have proof of their record in government and you don't have to decide on words alone. If we fired the non-performers, politicians wouldn't have life long careers as legislators. Because those who didn't produce never returned to office. Yes, you need to think of how you can affect change as an individual. You also have to think of how as a uniformed body, we can affect change.



Young America is our FUTURE!

You're More Than You Think You Are

One of the biggest realizations of the 2008 Presidential election was that the Youth vote makes a difference. Wow! What a difference it made. 23 million Youth(18-29) voters actually voted. That was record setting.They were inspired by then-Senator Barack Obama. There wasn't a divide in who they voted for. It was overwhelmingly Democrat. No surprise. That's who catered to their emotions and perspective at that time.

 

How many of the 16.5 million Democrat Youth voters really knew how much they would impact and why they chose blue? Knowing why you choose is most important. Knowing the impact is essential also. Regardless of knowing their affect these Youth voters made history in more than one way. Just think of how a well informed, organized Youth block could impact local, state and federal elections. This is how the senior bloc, middle class bloc, or union bloc affect change. Organization and information. This is what the Youth bloc lacks. It has grown and gotten better, but lacks continuity. Something to look at would be the Senior impact on elections. They are a consistent bloc of voters. There are 39 million seniors eligible to vote. There are 46 million Young Americans eligible to vote. So why aren't we big players at the power table? We have the human capital. Young Americans makeup 24% of eligible voters. So why aren't we a main topic on the political agenda? We are not using our resources properly. We have great might, but very little initiative. We have the motivation. Its called OUR FUTURE! OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!

 

Get informed. Choose leaders with your vote. Hold them accountable. Take responsibility in your future.


Young America is our FUTURE!

I choose him? ok. but why?

 Knowing why your favorite color is red isn't very important. Knowing why you chose a candidate for president is. Its mind blowing that people spend more time researching their next cell phone than researching a presidential candidate's record. If someone asked why did you buy the IPhone 5 over the Samsung Galaxy, i bet that person could break down the options and coverage plan to the exact point. But if asked the difference between Romney and Obama, that person would reply with one is for the poor and the other is for the rich. That would be all.

We as a country havent made knowledge of governmental performance a priority. We respond in unity in the more extreme cases but in general its not near the top. If you have no knowledge of their performance, how can you hold them accountable? We rely on the manipulated information being spoon fed through the media. This has to stop. We need to select leaders on every level in government. That cant happen if we don't get informed and allow our perspective to be SOLELY shaped by the media. There is a phrase, "If you dont want people to know something, put it in a book." Some laugh. Some don't. It's funnny and it sad. People dont like to read. They dont like to be informed about politics, which affects so many areas of your daily lives. You dont have to be a professor to check out your local, state or federal government websites and see what has been going on. Check out new bills. See who represents you. See how he/she has been representing you. These things are a large part of the voting process.

If you owned a business and you were looking to hire an employee, would you make them fill out an application. Do a credit report. Drug screen. These necessary pre-employment checks share the same concept. You need to check out the candidates. See who you are choosing to lead you. Just because you don't think about who your elected officials are and how they are affecting your life, that doesn't mean that they aren't there making decision for you, your family and those around you.

Young America is our FUTURE!

Why Would He, How Could He?

         Why would a man born in a poor and drug filled city believe in the same principles of a mega-millionaire businessman? How could a young black man believe that a wealthy white man wants the best for him? Who is this guy and is he insane? He must want to be white, because he couldn’t be a true brother and think and feel this way.

            I grew up without very much and around those who were in the same boat. We didn’t look down on ourselves because as kids we didn’t know what much better was unless seen on tv. We had a lot of fun because kids can turn anything into a toy or a good time. And that’s exactly what we did. Politics was never a discussion, but when I did overhear anything it was always, "Republicans don’t like black people or poor people." There was never a reason why they didn’t. They just didn’t. I didn’t have any doctors or lawyers living in my community. I had hard working folks, welfare recipients, drug addicts and drug pushers. It was common to hear, "I’m just trying to survive." Or "I’m just trying to feed my kids." This was common. Very common. I never knocked those people. I believed them. So I started to have the same perspective. They looked like me. They were in the same environment. And they were my example. 

My education allowed me to gain exposure. I was always in advanced courses since elementary; surrounded by 98% of white kids. It was different to say the least. All blacks at home. All whites in class. I had a chance to see first-hand that there is no difference in race; there is only a difference in each man's character. I started to see that people tell you what they want you to know, whether they are black or white. That had always made me search out answers instead of just swallowing the next man's opinion. As I got older and found out more about myself and our country I was excited, shocked, disappointed, angry and enamored all at different times over my life. The truth was being held at a distance and people in positions of influence only wanted me to know what they thought was the truth instead of what really was and is. All of them didn’t lie to me but they didn’t teach me to find truth. They taught me to accept theirs. I was never comfortable with that. So I would research everything. I would not be led by opinion. At least not anymore.

                I never wanted to know everything. I just wanted to be able to make sense of things. "Why don’t Republicans like black people?" This question plagued me. I always thought I would be a Democrat, especially because blacks in America are born democratic. Or so I thought. I looked at what Democrats were doing and saying, and then I looked at what Republicans were doing and saying. I didn’t find that one group had superior character or knowledge. I found that the two groups had different perspectives and those perspectives affected my country, my community, my family and myself in different ways. I can’t tell you I broke down both parties philosophies down to an exact point but I found a way to compare them. I learned that Democrats believed in the government giving more to people. Republicans wanted the government to give less and for people to create their own fortune. It’s more to it but this is the general idea. I compared it to my community and family. There was a great deal of people, my family included, receiving government funds and services. That was a Democrat idea. I ate off the government and so did my friends. Republicans didn’t want that. If I stopped there then I would be on the Democrat side of ideas. But I asked the question: Why don’t Republicans want me to have food stamps? Can’t afford it. Abuse of services. People on welfare don’t usually graduate to higher financial status in life and usually stay where their comfortable and the government enables that behavior. I could understand the Republicans point of view. It was more people trying to hold onto where they are than become better than what they were. I can’t speak for everyone but growing up I didn’t hear much about the way out, except sports. I heard of how to maintain. That was the perspective: To Maintain! Government services helped maintain. And who provided that? Democrats. So Democrats didn’t help them to be more, they helped them to maintain. Republicans felt that the ambition had to be internal and manifest through hard work for someone to be better, not to just maintain. So I asked myself what is the role of government? To give? To create? To facilitate? According to Democrats it’s to give and create. According to Republicans it’s to facilitate. Which is better for the poor man? Depends on the poor man; does he want wealth, middle-class life or to just maintain where he is at.  

                Those are crucial questions for everyone: What do you want? How can you get it? And who can help you get it?

                Democrats will tell you that fairness is everyone having a house, college degree and full healthcare. Republicans tell you that the opportunity to have those things is fairness; but actually having those things is determined by a man's character, perspective, hard work and circumstances.

                To ask for a shot at a starting position on the field is fair. To be guaranteed a starting position is an entitlement. Everyone deserves a chance. Everyone doesn’t possess the talent to start. But there is a role for everyone on the field. It may not be the one you dreamed about but the road of life is paved with hard work. Dreaming may give you a direction, but it’s just not enough on its own.

 
Young America is our FUTURE!