April to Celebrate Democratic Confederacy/May to Celebrate Republican Reconstruction

April 8th, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

If I were petty and racially-driven, I would be upset with my Virginia Governor Bob McDonell.  His decision to call April Confederate History Month has sparked anger with Black Democrats across the state.  Black Republicans within the state are now scrambling to answer calls of “Uncle Tom” and “Traitor”.    As the newly named President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Virginia, I am left looking at this as an opportunity.

Ironically, a couple weeks ago at the Frederick Douglass Foundation Leadership Summit, I got to ask Va Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli a question on this very topic.  I pointed out the rather large Robert E. Lee Statue is celebrated in Richmond as a part of Democratic History in Va.  I asked the Attorney General when will we start to celebrate Virginia’s Republican History?   I contrasted the Robert E. Lee Statue against the Maggie Walker House and the former Black Wall Street only a few blocks away.

He gave the best non-answer a person can give, he plainly stated he didn’t know about the History of which I spoke.   O.K.  I’m giving him to much credit.  He rambled on and on until it was plain to see he couldn’t answer my question because he didn’t know the History of which I spoke.  Yet, I held no ill will.  It would be like inviting me to a fancy dinner and asking me to point out the salad fork, not going to happen.

Most of the Black Residents of Virginia don’t know the Republican History in this State.  Since most of that History is centered around Blacks, maybe we can play a little game.  April is Confederate History Month, where we learn how Virginia Democrats seceded from the Union to keep their slaves and May can be Reconstruction History Month, where we learn what Black Republicans did during that time period to enhance Va culture, education, and financial freedom.

We all know the name Langston  Hughes but very few know the name, John Mercer Langston.   He was the famous poets Great Uncle and one of the first Black Republicans to obtain a United States Congressional Seat.  Since this happened after the Civil War, it won’t be celebrated by McDonnell’s little proclamation.   And there in lies the problem.  We give the preception of celebrating Southern History with Southern Pride,  yet we leave out Southerners of color who stayed to improve the conditions of the newly freed slaves. 

So, my question is “Why celebrate and give notice to the Democratic Legacy in Virginia, if you are a Republican Governor?”  Where is your Republican Southern Pride?  Now, I can understand why White Republicans don’t officially go after the Black Population.  I’ll give credit to McDonnell.  He had multiple Black Republicans working on and supporting his campaign but did he stop to think how this decision would affect them?

Before I follow the racial path and shout, “Don’t these White Republicans know what us Black Republicans have to go through just to represent our party,” I’ll instead offer a different point of view for the Republicans in power.  If you don’t know how to communicate with the black community, then how about reaching out to the young Conservatives on College Campuses?

Maybe you can point out how Hampton University started with classes under an Oak Tree by a single teacher, Mary Smith Peake.  Explain how, under Union protection as “Contraband”,  free blacks flocked to Republican Strongholds for Safety and Education.   Enlighten Virginians on how Rich and Affluent Republicans gave huge donations that turned that tree into an Emancipation Oak.  Then that Emancipation Oak into a little brown cottage.  Then that little brown cottage into  Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, and now it’s Hampton University, a proud HBCU.  Just for kicks, add the fact that Booker T. Washington, an abolitionist entrenched in the Republican Reconstruction graduated from Hampton University.

Since I brought up John Mercer Langston earlier, let’s see what we can say to college students at Virginia State University.  Let me bring up another name most Virginians, black or white, don’t know; Robert Russa Moton.

   The next morning I asked my father about the school for coloured people, which was being projected under the influence of General Mahone at Petersburg, now a State Normal School. He told me much about it. It was to open the following fall. The Hon. John M. Langston, he said, a coloured man who was as well educated as any white person that he knew of, was to be the president. He said I might go if I wished and that he would do what he could to help me. It being a state school, and he having certain strong friends in the Republican Party (General Mahone among them), Hon. B.S. Hooper, a member of Congress from the Fourth Congressional District of Virginia, would probably arrange for me to have a scholarship.”

When VSU was still Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, blacks seeked out Republicans to help them aquire an education.  No wonder J. W. Langston became the schools first President.  You know, the same man who broke Virginia’s racial lines to become an elected official.  Because of Republican efforts in education, Robert Russa Moton was able to follow in Booker T. Washington’s footsteps to become Principal of the Tuskegee Institute.

We can stop by Virginia Union University.  We can show how Religious Groups, along with the Republican Party, stood up to Virginia Democrats to teach released slaves about their heritage.  Slavery had ripped the titles Father, Mother, and Family from the black vernacular and VUU played an important role in returning the family unit.  Then we can go to St. Paul’s College and Norfolk State.  Same message for every school, the Republican Party has played a major role in establishing some of the most prominent colleges in Va.

So why is Confederate History Month so important?  Who is McDonnell really trying to impress with this edict of respect?  This is my only problem with Reaganomics.  It leads modern day conservatives to believe the Republican Party started with Ronald Reagan.  What about Carter Woodson, Sojournor Truth, and how many more that held the Republican label as a badge of Honor long before the Cold War.  Is there any importance in this History, while you are picking and choosing which History to celebrate?

This whole mess has presented me with the answer to a long held question.  Why is the Republican Party unable to connect with the Black Community?  I’m convinced I’ve come up with an answer.  Most Republicans don’t know the full extent of Republican History, as demonstrated by my Attonery Generals’ lack of an answer, and most Blacks don’t know the full realm of Black History, as evident by the majority of Black Citizens assuming Democrats have their best wishes at heart.  If both groups would brush up on their History, they would realize it’s one in the same.  You can’t celebrate the Republican Party without Blacks and you can’t celebrate Black History without Republicans.

With all that being said and as a precursor to insults and judgements sure to be hurled my way, I offer this bit of solace.  I am a Revolutionary, not a reactionary.  I won’t accept Foodstamps as a solution to poverty because Bob McDonnell wants to celebrate the Confederacy.  I won’t accept Obamacare because he didn’t mention slavery in his declaration.  I will not be led by the collar on the basis of race by either party.  Instead I will do what those great black Republicans did before me and make a way when elements on both sides are praying for my downfall.

A Scott Brown Victory: I’m Making A Cake

January 20th, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

WOW!  Scott Brown won in Massachusetts.  I wonder what Teddy Kennedy would say, God rest his soul.  I’m so excited, I want to make a cake.  Follow along.

So, I start off with a box of butter recipe yellow cake mix and a tub of chocolate frosting.  I follow the directions, as is, on the box and thirty minutes later there’s a cake.  Now, I have to be patient and let it cool.  Next, I spread chocolate frosting all over the cake.  We now have CAKE, yeah.  Everybody cheer.

My family drops by and I realize, I don’t have enough Cake.  “Oh, we’re here to help”,  “We’ll make better Cakes”,  “I make mine from scratch”,  “Well, I can make the frosting”; and the fun begins. 

“Oh, we’re here to help” turns into “Girl, you should really re-paint this kitchen, blue does nothing for these walls” or “Are these all the cakes pans you have?  You should go to the bakery store, I got a dude that could hook you up for free.”

“We’ll make better cakes” turns into “Why you want yellow cake?  Strawberry is better.  Where’s the Strawberry?” or “See, your problem is you bought Pillsbury, you should’ve bought Duncan Hines.  A cake tastes better with Duncan Hines.”

“I make mine from scratch” turns into “My grandma owned a shop and I used to watch her everyday.  Do you have one of those big mixing things?”  or “You don’t have everything I need but I can make it work.”

“I can make frosting” turns into “Here’s the frosting, now where’s the cake?”

In Massachusetts, Scott Brown was in his kitchen, alone, making a cake.  He followed his convictions, as is, and a couple months later he has a victory.  He’ll have to be patient and wrangle through the obstacles Democrats lay in his path.  But eventually, his voice will be heard in the halls of Congress.  Everybody cheer.

What happens when he gets there?  Will he fall into the trap of those trying to help, of a caucus that would love to have a new member, the group that thinks its better to start from scratch, or the group that wants to put chocolate frosting on the cake we already have?  The sad truth is, we don’t know.  Let’s have faith he stays with the original recipe.  Congrats Scott Brown.

There is a bigger picture in this analogy.  Our Constitution is the cake mix and we haven’t been follow the recipe, as is, for a very long time. 

We have politicians who say “We’re here to help”, when their real intentions are to control every aspect of American life.  They allot welfare, public housing, and food stamps.  In return, they control how much you make, where you live, and what you eat.  Is that really HELPING?

We have politicians who say “We can do it better”, when they have never run a business or made a payroll in their entire lives.  They’ve never lost it all in a bad venture and had to struggle back to the top; vowing along the way never to make those same mistakes again.   They look for short cuts and side streets to avoid their first inevitable failure.  Are these the people we want running our country?

We have politicians that say “Let’s start from scratch”.  What?  Republicans wanting to be more like Democrats.  Democrats wanting to be more like Socialist.  This isn’t a new recipe, this isn’t starting from scratch.  This is the reason our founders made the original recipe.  They were running from the burnt Souffles’ of Europe to a simple American Pie.

Do we have any politicians that say, “let’s just follow the recipe for the cake”?  We can make any frosting we choose and if it doesn’t taste good, we’ll just make another batch.  As long as we have the cake, the frosting doesn’t matter.

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And where are the American People in this analogy?  It’s our kitchen.  If we let them in, we can’t complain about cleaning up the mess.  We must roll up our selves and learn from our mistakes.

Harry Reid Turns Conservatives into Racial Victims!

January 12th, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

Here we go again.  I’m beginning to think the strength in the Republican party is reaction.  This coming from the party that wants to be proactive in every other arena.  But when it comes to the Obama Administration and its destruction of our country, Republicans wait until its politically sound to speak up.

Then to add insult to injury, they play the Liberal game.  Harry Reid has taken a racial statement from his own mouth and used it as a weapon against the GOP.   Instead of sticking up for the 1st amendment and an idiots right to get caught with his foot in his mouth, they want to label Republicans as victims.  What?

Isn’t that what we’re fighting against?  Political Correctness that hinders our ability to stop a terrorist from getting on a plane because we don’t want to point out his ethnicity.  I mean isn’t that what all this profiling talk is about?  Destroying political correctness?

You have the Leader of the Senate, Harry Reid,  caught telling his own self truth.  His mind still reverts to a time when we were called “Negro” and I’m guessing he didn’t hang with many black English Professors during that period.  So let’s put two and two together.  During the time period when he fought for us lil ol’ Negros, he didn’t know any of us, or at least none that matched his standard of what was acceptable?

This is another example of how the Democratic Elite views minority communities!  WAKE UP!  Either you are light- skinned or you’re pookie.  Remember, house nigger and field nigger, same difference.  A white man in a position of power just divided our race into the acceptable and the unacceptable and the blacks around him defend it.  What group do you think they’re in and what do you think they label you?

Why isn’t that the focus of all the condemnation?  Harry Reid told the truth and the Democrats that surround him are assisting him in getting off the hook.  I’m not talking about losing his Leadership position, I’m talking about forcing Liberals to have a real conversation on Race and their true held beliefs.   Are they fighting for minorities because its the right thing to do?  Or do they hold the “Helter Skelter” mentality that one day we’ll destroy ourselves and beg for their wisdom?

Instead, we’re talking about Trent Lott and Strom Thurman and I have yet to hear anyone point out Thurman was in a segregationlist splinter cell of the Democratic Party.  They say Dixiecrat, like we don’t know what they’re talking about. 

(For those that don’t know; A Nutshell:  Strom Thurman, the man they vehemently oppose and are offended by, was a DEMOCRAT.  He broke from the main branch of the party to a splinter group, the Dixiecrats.  These are “White Power” Democrats who were mad at the party’s attempt to undo their champion, (DEMOCRAT) Woodrow Wilson’s federal segegregation laws.  They were fighting with other Democrats about how openly racist they should be.)

And that’s where we are, Democrats still fighting about what level of racism is allowed and by whom.  By becoming VICTIMS, Republicans miss the opportunity to point out truth.  We have a first amendment, Reid knew there would be no legel reprecussions for his comment. Why were these comments made in private?    Why did he call Rev. Al Sharpton to apologize?  I’ve got the answer to these questions, but you’ll have to tune in to WHWDRADIO  Wednesday at 6 p.m. eastern to hear it.

Are You “Pookie”?

December 21st, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

(to get all references watch New Jack City)

Seriously, do you remember Pookie?  “Prom Queen?  You ain’t nothing but a Prom Fiend.”   You know, New Jack City Pookie.

Is this the image in the mind of policy makers when they think about the minority community?  Are we all “Pookies” and “Prom Fiends” that need the federal government to provide us with hope?  For just a moment, I want to take a look back at the life of “Pookie”.

Pookie was an addict, a straight up funky, junkie.  The absolute example of buying what you want and begging for what you need.  Until one man reached out to him; watched him during the shakes, encouraged him during the weak moments, and refused to let him fail.  A single man lifted a weary and broken soul. 

 It took the government to destroy it.  Good intentions, yes.  Bad outcome, always.  After Pookie cleaned himself up and got his life on track, government gave him a job.  They sent him back to the very same streets that trapped him in the first place.

Was this in Pookie’s best interest?  No, even though in government eyes,  it was in the best interest of the community.  A man that decides to go back and help his community is one thing, forcing- by guilt or “moral obligation”- is completely different.  Pookie could’ve developed his own personal way of giving back, instead Government to the rescue.

Governments’ good intentions were wrong, Pookie self-destructed and died, and to top it off the bad guy got away.  That is, until a single man with bad intentions did what the Government could not.

Are you O.K. with being compared to “Pookie”?  I’m not the trivial type,  I use mass associations all the time but POOKIE.  I’d use Nino before I used POOKIE.  Pookie is what dealers call fiends when they are too unimportant to remember their names.  I can only see this one of two ways; either it’s an insult and the black elite think that Pookieitis is rampant amongst us or as middle class black Americans we are not on Governments radar.

I don’t buy into Pookieitis.  I believe most black Americans-poor, rich and in between- are really capitalist at heart.  Given the chance, they would prefer working to build wealth over government hand outs.  If Pookieitis were to exist the remedy would be capitalist training, the basic understanding if you want to be rich, you have to learn to live poor.  Sacrifice.

I believe its more about middle class minorities grouping themselves amongst those that need the most help.  Government doesn’t see it that way.  You are not an example they can hold up for the suffering in Urban Communities.  They can’t point to you as a prime motivation for why wealth redistribution is necessary.  You are not dependent on Government for your home, food, car, clothes, health insurance, or anything else.  You are privileged.   

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.  It doesn’t matter how hard or how long you worked and sacrificed to maintain your lifestyle, the only thing that matters is you have it and somebody else doesn’t.  So when I say “Pookie” is an insult, I mean its insulting you would voluntarily demean your work ethic and urge to excel by cheering for policy meant to reduce you back to “Pookie”.

Until They Blame YOU!

December 16th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

Hurry, we need to pass Healthcare.  Let’s blame big pharma. 

We can’t.  We made a deal with them.  They go along with healthcare, we won’t allow Canadian medicine into America.

O.K. Blame Canada. 

We don’t want to say anything bad about the healthcare system we’re trying to force on Americans, plus I think South Park already took that line.

Then Blame Doctors

The people don’t believe their doctor would cut off their foot for profit

Blame Insurance Companies

That could work. 

I question, Who’s next?

Hurry, we need to save the Planet.  Let’s blame Car Companies

We can’t.  We own car companies now.

Climate Change Opposition, blame them

That’s about 72% of all Americans, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Why didn’t I think of this before?  Let’s blame Big Oil

Again?  How about if we add the coal industry this time, change it up a bit.

I question, Who’s next?

Hurry, we need jobs.  Blame Bush

That was easy.

We still need jobs.

Blame Bush.

Ahhhh….That’s not working anymore

Blame Wallstreet

We’re telling Wallstreet to stop paying people.  I don’t think that would work.

Do I have to do everything?  Blame Banks for not lending.

We’re telling the Bankers they participated in risky behavior that caused our Country to slip into a deep depression.  Now you want them to go back to that risky behavior with the American Taxpayer backing them up?

Just Blame the Bankers and Bush.  That should work

 I question, Who’s next?

We are getting the Government we deserve.  Yet, no one is placing the blame at our footsteps.  We want a Government that obeys the will of the people and that’s what we have.  A Government that blames someone else for the problems they create, just like many of us do in our personal lives.  When things go wrong  because of personal decisions, we can easily point at Republicans or Democrats and say they are the problem.  Why should we be surprised our Government reflects that?

So, let’s get to the question at hand.  Who’s next?   I mean, when everything hits the fan and the blame game is no longer fun, who will be left holding all the chips?  Government!  While we’re busy paying attention to Tiger Woods and White House party crashers, the Executive Branch is collecting and consolidating power.  What happens when America wakes up and Government has complete power to place blame?

American Citizens, we blame you for the exorbitant cost of healthcare.  You and your drinking alcohol, soda, and milk.  You think you have the right to free healthcare when you eat meat, don’t get enough exercise, and spend all day combing the Internet for new information on what we’re doing.  You got your free abortion, why are you complaining because Granny can’t get a hip replacement?  You will live by our rules because we know what’s good for you.

What happens when there is nothing you can do about it?  At least with insurance, you could go to government with a grievance. 

American Citizens, we blame you for the destruction of our planet.  You and your big screen t.v.’s, monster SUV’s, and big houses.  You think the planet will keep on spinning if you continue to have multiple child families, dogs and cats for pets, and keep multiplying the cattle population?  Do you know the carbon foot print of farting cows, crying babies, and animals you can’t eat?  You have experienced the privilege of Capitalism and you squandered it, now you will bow to the will of  Government.

American Citizens, we blame you for the lack of jobs.  Where is your ambition?  Where is your desire not to settle?  We gave you high minimum wage, the right to a union, and a Trillion dollar stimulus.   And what about unemployment benefits, we gave you two years and you still need a job.  Don’t worry, we’ll give you what you seek.   I’ve got an opening to dig and refill ditches.

Realize  none of these things are your fault, unless you believe the standard of living in America is too advanced compared to the rest of the world.  The rest of us shouldn’t be blamed for the price of healthcare, the destruction of our planet or lack of jobs.  That blame rightly falls on the politicians in Washington.  Our fault lies in continuing to send the same people back to represent us.

We send them back with no punishment for earmarks, violating the Constitution or refusing to hear the will of the people; then we wonder why all we ever see is blame instead of results.  If you’re a Republican, you blame the Democrats.  If you’re a Democrat, you blame the Republicans. 

To steal a phrase from Rev. Wright, “When will the American Domestic agenda chickens come home to roost?’  And how will we respond when the Democrats and the Republicans have the power to put the blame and consequence directly on our shoulders?

The Government and The Individual American

December 10th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

I wonder if during The Great Depression, the people carried the same sort of angst we hold now. Whether they believed they had destroyed America for the generations to follow or were they more worried about their current plight?

With the pre-election crash in the market, a continued fear of market investment, high unemployment, high taxes, and a government that leans to protectionism and massive spending; the scene is set for a Great Depression. Two major factors keep us on the brink of what we deserve and what we will allow; the individual American and the Government. This doesn’t bode well for us.

Government’s heavy handiness occurred during the Great Depression. The individual American had legitimate arguments. They hadn’t lived out-side of their means or risked it all in the stock market; their only sin was depositing money in an unsecured bank. As banks failed, they lost everything and the first “US” generation was born. “We, the people” was forgotten and selfishness and entitlement set in.

We are entitled to benefits when we get older! Why? We fixed the problem and now bank deposits are insured. Save for yourself to ensure it will be there when you need it, instead of when Government says you can have it.

We are entitled to jobs! Why? There were no jobs when the Pilgrims came. They opened stores, created industry, and started the building blocks of our modern economy. If you don’t have a job, go and create a job. We are entitled to a chance at wealth, not a chance at Just Over Broke.

We are entitled to a house! Why? A house is nothing more than wood and bolts; a home is truly what you seek. If you mature to a place where you can create a home, getting a house will be no problem. If you can’t pay your bills you won’t have a happy home and more than likely you don’t deserve a house.

You would think I’m talking about the current situation, but sadly this argument was waged and defeated during The Great Depression. Social Security still exists and is deemed ‘popular’ even though Congress has raided it’s lockbox. People still look to Government to create jobs and wonder why those jobs don’t create wealth for the lower class. And the introduction of the Federal Housing Administration has brought us Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the housing bubble. Government made it’s mark.

Did the individual American make a mark? Indeed. The car radio, the Laundromat, the supermarket, chocolate chip cookies, copy machines and Monopoly all got their start during the Great Depression. People with no job, or jobs that didn’t provide security, branched out and invented something new. They created wealth in companies that still exist today; Parker Brothers, Xerox, Tollhouse, and Schick razors.

Remember, this is the first generation of ‘US’. They set limits on what they would allow by utilizing the freedom found in America. Times were hard but in America anything was possible. They took advantage of the economic downturn by creating a demand even when consumer spending was dismal. They created REAL WEALTH, while the Government spent Millions and Millions of dollars and failed miserably at creating permanent JOBS.

In today’s crisis, we are dealing with generation ‘me’. Forget “we, the people”, forget ‘us’, and focus on ME. What are you going to do for me? More and more individual Americans are willing to give away their right to build wealth. That’s the most disturbing aspect looking towards the future of America and the individual American.

The government is still up to its same old tricks, showing its heavy hand at every turn; healthcare, cap and trade, and increasing regulation. How much will we allow? Will we look to government to create jobs that don’t last and don’t create a better situation for its workers? Or will we look to ourselves and create a demand even when consumer spending is at a stand still? How can we make the individual American understand the strength of this country comes from his or her sweat and determination and not the Government Pocketbook?

A Mirror to Government Control: Are Dems Right?

August 16th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

My sister came to visit me this week. She brought her friend. Not like that, he is just a friend. In fact, he’s been our friend for over a decade. That means I’ve seen him up, down, and every level in between.

O.K. We get into a conversation about politics. He isn’t a Barack Obama Fan nor did he vote for John McCain, he hates all politicians. But it doesn’t stop there. He also hates the military, the police, and all other government entities. He says, “I don’t believe any of them have my best interest at heart”.

Then he starts, “The government should pay for healthcare, jobs, food, house, and everything else because it’s not fair”. “I work two jobs and don’t have money to feed myself, that shit is fucked up”.

So I ask, “What kind of car do you drive?” He looks at me for a moment before he tried to rationalize his answer. See, he doesn’t have a place to live, his job cut back his hours, and he drives a 2005 BMW. A couple months ago, he was in a car accident. Guess what, no car insurance and no health insurance; so his check is being garnished to pay for the repair to the other person’s car.

None of this is mentioned in his original tirade about the state of our Government. Nothing about his own self-responsibility or lack there of. He made all the same mistakes I’ve made. He’s spent money on the here and now and not planning for the future. The only difference, I understand these were my mistakes and not that of the government. He, on the other hand, looks toward the government as a scapegoat.

Let me give you a little more back round before I make my point. His father was in the military. They traveled all around the world before they retired as a military family in Virginia. His father worked a blue collar job and his mother worked in Academia. They didn’t make alot of money, but they raised three kids in a nice neighborhood and they always had food and clothes.

His father doesn’t complain about his life, his father takes what comes like a soldier. They decided to sell their house and now my friend is mad, “My father worked his whole life, it ain’t right they have to sell the house”. Well, the father sold the house because he didn’t need the space or maybe it was to let the last chick in nest know it was time to branch out on his own. They still are home owners, it’s just now, they don’t have a mortgage because they own a smaller house.

While in the process of moving, the father fell from a ladder and hurt his back. He went to the hospital and when all was said and done, he owed a $7,000 bill. My friend was mad all over again, “My father served in the military for 20 years, he shouldn’t have to pay anything when he gets hurt”. His brother and sister, on the other hand, split the bill and paid it off for their father.

My Point

Throughout this post, I’ve referred to this person as my friend. The truth is, I’ve never really treated him like a friend. When it’s time for “grown folks” conversation, he always reverts back to someone else. I don’t have the tolerance for that. Example: We were in the deep country at my Aunts for a cook-out. He walks up to me and starts to talk. Normally, I’d blow him off and run as away as fast as I could, but this day I stayed and listened.

He told me he wanted something different for his life. He was tired of trying and trying but never getting anywhere. I knew he was full of it. I knew he was just talking to hear his own voice but I listened. When he finished, I felt bad because he was going through a lot of the same things I was going through. He was sad, unsure, and scared out of his mind at the idea of what the future held for him.

You ever experience a time when you’re not thinking of prayer, yet God enters your head? Well, I had one of those moments. I took the time to sit and talk with him. I told him, “we keep going through the same things because we keep doing the same things. We have to self-analyze and figure out what faults we have that are keeping us down.”

Now, I gave him every opportunity to admit a self-fault. Like, I had to apologize to him because during the course of our conversation, I started yelling at him. It is a fault I have but I own up to it. (Quite often, I’m ashamed to admit) But he stood in my face and said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He stood there like he did everything right and this is his reward.

Actually, he continued to do everything wrong and this is his punishment. He actually looks through the Bible and finds the verses that excuse his laziness or explains his inability to persevere. I quote the same passage to him every time. “To thine own self be true”

He told me upon leaving my house, no matter what the conversation, he always leaves with a different perspective on life. But this is what I don’t understand, I’ve been talking the same way since…….forever. How can I constantly keep changing your mind?

As flawed as I am, I still know one thing to be true. The only person I can really trust is myself. That means I have no choice but to look in the mirror and recognize my faults to make sure I’m trustworthy. Just as you would examine the acts of another to determine their level of trust. If in that self-analysis you refuse to look at self, then you’ve got a problem.

If in that self-analysis you refuse to look at self and turn your focus to government, then we’ve all got a problem. “By the people and for the people” used to be a good thing. Religion was front and center for majority of Americans. They believed in God’s word and that meant “reaping what you sow”. If you want food, you have to plant crops and hunt for meat. If you wanted to survive winter, you had to plan properly in spring, summer, and fall. If you wanted to be treated with respect, treat others with respect first.

Now we believe we must reap what our forefather’s have sown. They were slaves, so we should be treated better BY GOVERNMENT. They were persecuted, raped, and ripped from their families, so we should be taken care of BY GOVERNMENT. They were whipped, hung, and called every name but the child of God, so GOVERNMENT STAND UP AND DO WHAT”S RIGHT.

Did we forget to mention, Government made us slaves? How flawed are you personally, if you overlook all of this just to avoid looking at yourself in the mirror? You can blame Government for putting crack in the inner cities but are willing to let them take over your healthcare. You can blame Government for capitalist theft in inner cities, then let them become responsible for job creation and economic leadership. You can blame Government for failing to educate, then allow the entire Public Education system to be run by Unions that endorse more Government.

If you blame Government for all these mistakes and grievances, why would you want them to have more control over your life?

A. You are in the controlling body of Government and you understand the amount of power coming your way. Our founding father’s didn’t know what they were doing. You can’t trust the American people to make decisions for themselves, they refuse to even look in the mirror. We need centralized power to enrich people’s lives by telling them what to eat, what to drive, where to live, where to work, and how many kids to have. They will love us because we will structure their lives for them and if it doesn’t work, they won’t have any power to change it back. WIN WIN

B. You don’t care. Government will do what they want to do, why bother? I’ll do me and that’s all that matters. Plus, Barack Obama is black, he knows what’s up!

C. Slavery wasn’t all that bad. I mean, this time we wouldn’t actually have to wear chains. We’ll be more like the people in Cuba and Venezuela. We’ll already know who to vote for, so we don’t have to pay attention to politics. Who cares if we no longer have freedom of choice, that means we don’t have to think for ourselves. Who needs a mirror anyways?

D. I’ll keep blaming Government as long as it means I don’t have to self-analyze.

If the majority of Americans pick an answer to this question, we are getting government we deserve. Even worse than that, the Democrats would be right, not in their campaign pledges or well put together speeches, but in their overall focus. If we become a nation not willing to fight for our own freedoms or our own right to make mistakes, then I can’t blame them for usurping that power. It would be like a Nanny walking past a baby and not picking it up.

Give your power away and someone will take it. Don’t set firm morals and beliefs and someone can come along and change them. Forget we became the greatest nation in the world because of individual strength and the Government will collect and consume until there is no more value in the individual.

Grandma, Medicine, The Mob & Freedom

August 8th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

I have one conception that stays relevant in my mind, if I ever need to go home, Grandma has a roof for my head, food for my daughter, and uplifting words to get me back on my feet. Does this make her an ideal candidate for any medical service she needs? I mean, she is the rock and corner stone of our family, the reason we make sure to gather the grand kids together multiple times a year. Will Medical Boards consider this when deciding if she should get a new hip or medicine for her cataracts.

What about her contributions to the church, will they count? I mean, she is the first one to the church on Sunday morning and the last one to leave when the entire church is clean and ready for the next service. She never misses a revival or a special event at one of our sister churches, does this put her in the get help category? She tithes her full 10% every week, even if it means she can’t go on a specific trip or play bingo on a specific night.

I’m not finished yet. My grandfather passed 10 years ago, but I got to hear his story before he died. He grew up in Midlothian, Virginia, with confederate flags and good ole’ boys that made his life hell. So, he bought a house right in the middle of all their land and is still owned by my family today. Then he married a black woman whose family also owned land right in the heart of the racist. And they had five children, who weren’t afraid to go to the newly desegregated schools because they had Daddy right beside them with a gun. I can’t tell the story like my Grandmother can. Are her memories and ability to share those stories with my daughter when she is old enough to understand worth giving her medicine to ward of dementia?

Forget all that, she is my Grandmother. She gave me the love of reading and problem solving. She gave me compassion and a true sense of what God can do in your life. She gave me morals, values, and the discipline to follow both. She gave me the best Candied Yams and Sweet Potato Pie I ever tasted. Now, she reads to my daughter, corrects her behavior with an authoritative tone I have yet to master, and she still cooks for me just because I ask. She worked her whole life and in her old age she should not have to go to a Doctor and have a talk about how she wants to die.

You would think President Obama would understand that this is the source of most of the outrage in America. When he was on the campaign trail invoking memories of his Grandmother’s last days, he wasn’t talking about her lack of care. He wasn’t talking about how she was refused medicine or turned away for service. He wasn’t complaining about how her doctor told her that it would better for her to die than to spend a couple hours filling out health insurance forms.

This leads me to question, WHY? Why would Obamacare want to limit the number of elderly in America? Just look at what Grandma’s and Grandpa’s do for us. The number of Grandparents as head of house continue to increase in America, almost doubling in the last 15 years. These are primary caregivers for a lot minority children. If the grandparents weren’t there, these kids would become wards of the state. Would that make it easier to force mandatory volunteerism, I mean, they already have the downtrodden on the actual government role.

Or maybe it’s to correct the mistake of one of America’s most Liberal Presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt. It’s hard to push for more entitlements when Social Security is going broke. There are more baby boomers than there are people to pay into the system and some how the inadequate health care in America is keeping them alive longer. How do we fix this? Maybe we get rid of the baby boomers. You know, kill two birds with one stone. Gain total control over the government and be able to say “look we saved Social Security”, even if you’ll probably die before you can collect it.

I think the true intent is shown in the response to the opposition to healthcare overhaul.

Grandparents, especially minorities, remember what it’s like to live with no true freedom. They remember the true MOBS. They remember torches that burned down churches, noose’s that hung actual flesh, and words, that could not be excused by “sticks and stones”, because they were placed in the rule of law. Our grandparents remember signs that read “White only” and no matter what side they were on, they can remember the feeling of separation that caused.

So, maybe they don’t want anyone to connect the dots when the healthcare mandate is different for those close to power, when the list reads “Politically connected only” or “Because you Contributed”. They don’t want us to stand up and fight like our Grandparents did. They don’t want us to refuse to let the Government tell us what doctor we can see and which procedure we can’t have. They don’t want us to think we have a choice in the matter. So when Grandma says, “I remember when the government didn’t have access to your bank account”, we can reply, “she crazy, I’m glad we didn’t spend that extra money to get her prescription filled.”

The liberals have started going after our children through school textbooks, but all that can be washed away by a single summer spent with a Grandmother or Grandfather. Victimization could be wiped out with true stories of what it takes to get to the American Dream; hard work, determination, focus, and faith. See how none of that involves Government. That’s the problem. Government wants to get into every area of your life but first they have to take care of the people who choose to be independent because it’s all they know. They’ve spent their entire lives taking care of themselves and now the have to yield control over their lives to a board that doesn’t have a clue what they mean to their family, community, or to the youth that needs the influence of someone that’s been there and done that.

Or maybe it’s just cost effective to let Grandma die and save a 20 year old. Maybe, as Americans, we place too high a value on unconditional love for our family. Maybe we should take a poll. How many Americans would kill Grandma right now if it meant healthcare would pass?

Iranian Protest: The True Success of Iraq

June 24th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

Times are hard in Detroit. With the restructuring, lay-offs, and over all economic turmoil, employment opportunities are far and few between. Not just for the industry workers, also the professionals that provide services to those workers. Doctor’s, laywer’s and insurance adjusters, amongst others, all suffer when one industry fails. The state and local governments suffer loss revenue due to loss wage, social programs lose funding due to budget cuts, but more importantly, the state loses knowledgeable and skilled workers and professionals. Those with valuable skills will seek employment in another town or another state.

Take that philosophy global. Iraq and Iran are neighbors. They have shared peaceful times and times of war. Iran remembers a time when they could look down upon the people of Iraq. Though neither could claim complete freedom, Iranians chose their government. Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with an iron fist.

With the assistance of hundreds of thousands of brave AMERICANS, the picture of these two countries has changed dramatically. Now, every Iraqi is free to vote or run for office, without closed door approval or fear of death. Iraqi women can vote, hold office, become a doctor, teacher, or any other occupation that will provide non suicidal dreams for her children. Iraqi sports teams can back the candidates of their choosing without losing the right to represent their country.

And Iranians are taking notice. If you think they can twitter and facebook with guns in their faces and not be abreast of the current conditions in Iraq, you are truly underestimating the savvy of the Iranian people. I believe, they truly believe, America is responsible for a lot of the problems in the Middle East. I also believe they understand and yearn for freedom, that brings true cultural diversity, exchange of ideas, and potential for economic growth. They don’t want to choose total westernization but they do want to feel like their government is paying attention to their wants and needs.

So, if they can’t get that freedom and chance for a brighter future from their government, they will seek it elsewhere. Giving respect to the Iranian peoples’ pride of country, they won’t move willingly. It will be a necessity. As economic numbers and advancement improve in Iraq, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is an influx of Iranians into the country. Not to become citizens but to get a real sense of what it’s like to be able to assemble peacefully and not have bullets flying towards you.

This is a double edged sword to the people of the Middle East. They are beginning to see a Muslim framed democracy take hold and they see an opportunity to follow suit. They also see the price of Democracy and Freedom. They know the number of American lives, Iraqi lives, and now Iranian lives that continue to add up in the cost of liberty.

No dictator or group of dictators (the Sheiks and Ayatollahs) will ever give up power willingly. In my opinion, this is why Obama won’t come out stronger against the Iranian government. This administration is all smoke and mirrors. When President Obama says, “He doesn’t want to meddle”, I think he’s praying this thing goes away quickly and quietly. Twitter explodes and now he is faced with a dilema. How can you condemn the concentration of power and inclusiveness in Iran, at the same time the American government is concentrating power and authority.

This is not a human rights problem. This is a “people who stand for liberty and justice, in remembrance to all those who died for those principles” problem. This is not an American fight. This is a ” worldwide recognition of an individuals right to fight” fight. This is not an Iranian issue. This is a “reason to get Acorn active and in the street” issue.

You would think the former community organizer and champion for the little people would understand that. No corporate interest or ideological mandates should cause you to lower your voice. No C.E.O. or Board of Directors should make you hold your tongue. No oppressive force should hold you back from saying what needs to be said or doing what needs to be done.

These days President Obama spends more time with C.E.O.’s and Boards of Directors’ than he does with the little guy that got fired from a GM dealership. He spends more time making corporate decisions behind closed doors, than he does answering criticism from the American people. Today, he spends more time waiting for a reaction from the Iranian hierarchy than he spends championing the “community organizers” in Iran willing to die to be heard.

That’s a change I didn’t see coming. Is that why he wanted the Iraq War to fail? To see it succeed would calm the hate talk from the people at the bottom towards the United States and in effect curb our own criticism of the freedom and justice we hold in our boarders. Would the American people look at Iraqi citizens and the individual power they now hold and be jealous, just as the Iranians now are? Or was he scared that the people of the region would step up and fight for freedom, no matter the cost in blood, and he would have to lose popularity with the people on top, to support the people on bottom.

California Blue Print to Bankruptcy: Part 1 in Triology

May 30th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

Most of us don’t pay attention to what’s going on in our local elections. Until recently, I shared my portion of guilt on this subject. That would explain why mid-term elections don’t draw as much attention as Congressional races held in Presidential election cycles.

With state after state on the brink of meltdown, I question, What happens to a state that goes bankrupt? I can find no record of an American State even coming close to having to answer that question.

We are currently watching history in the making. California’s economic woes create a blueprint of the future of United States of America, as a whole.

California Blue Print

• Residents: Diversity is the key to California’s appeal. The scenery and weather obviously contribute but if you want to view America as the great melting pot, go to California.
• State Government: 27% of California workforce is employed by State government. Remember, these jobs come with great salaries, healthcare, and retirement after 20 years with 80% of payroll still in tact. (Remind you of any car companies?)
• Hollywood Liberals in Charge: What can match Star Power? With the majority of Who’s Who swaying public opinion, where does this leave the average voter?
• Sanctuary Cities and Illegal Immigration: California is the illegal immigrant capital of the United States. Can’t blame the immigrants though, I’d come to if I could get free housing, food, and benefits.
• Go Green, Don’t Drill: Most states can’t boast they have a product to sell. There may be private industries to tax, but not a state owned commodity, like oil. If you don’t have money, why not drill and make some?
• And when it starts to crumble: Raise taxes on an already tax riddled, unemployed population.

When you watch a movie and the bad guy catches the good guy, do you question why the bad guy lays out his evil plan? He tells the Hero who, what, when, why, where, and how; then gives the good guy time to plot his escape and foil the evil plan.

Currently, America is hanging over a shark pit by a thin rope and an ax is slowly inching it’s way towards our only safety. No, I’m not calling California the villain but the bureaucracy practiced in states like California definitely deserve that title.

As in all good movies, here comes the twist. The California people have finally realized the true culprit. It wasn’t Gray Davis or Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was the huge state government spending, both of these men are responsible for.

The bureaucracy, like any other villain, goes into self preservation mode. To feed it’s own ego and hold on to it’s power, it needs money. So the bureaucracy turns to threats. If you don’t feed us, we’ll let the prisoners out of jail, fire the school teachers, and stop answering 9-1-1 calls. You don’t want that, do you?

The California people answered by starting to undo the rope wrapped around their hands. They voted down tax increases to keep the bloated government afloat. On measure after measure, they said enough was enough.

The shocked bureaucracy calls on it’s allies, the federal government. This is where all the audiences’ questions are answered.

Who: The countries’ most populous state

What: On the brink of exposing the dark side of the federal government’s increased spending

When: Immediately! We need your help now

Where: In the bastion of Liberal ideology. If it can’t work here?!?!?

Why: The people have started to turn against us

How: We need money. If you can’t give directly, at least vouch for us to get it elsewhere

Here’s what makes a Great Movie, another twist.

The Federal Bureaucracy, like any other villain, is in self preservation mode. “We need money too, we can’t go giving any money to you. And as for borrowing, have you seen our checkbook? I don’t think our recommendation will do you any good.”

Now, the big “villain” has left the little “villain” to fight it’s own battles. This is where the audience starts to get excited. Will the villain carry through with his threats? Will the hero escape and save the day? Will the big “villain” offer the little “villain” help in the end with strings attached?

All those question will be answered on the next episode. O.K., to far but that’s where we are.

California has serious decisions to make. The bureaucracy is still in self preservation mode. Cuts to the budget are inevitable but each cut provides self inflicted pain to the bureaucracy. It now has to relinquish power and make concessions, where there was once a blank check.

Who gets hurt by the cuts?

5,000 states employees and another 20,000 to get pay cuts. Not bad, huh? Not even close.

500,000 people on welfare-to-work program

1 Million children will lose their healthcare

Elderly individuals will no longer receive dialysis for breast or cervical cancer

250,000 students will no longer receive California grants for college

And next year, California will no longer finance state parks

And more budget cuts are on the way!

Who is this hurting? Are the rich Hollywood elite going to be affected? Will the heirarchy of the bureaucracy see massive slashings? Will the political lobbying groups and guilty politicians have to take a pay decrease or suffer some other punishment?

NO!!!! It will only hurt the people that voted for the massive spending.

This is the problem with the Nannie State, a state where the government does everything for it’s people. Eventually, the money runs out and the people who DEPENDED on that money are the first ones’ cut. Insert Blue Print Here.

• Residents: The poor who were working their way up and those who weren’t are cut. Parents had a set fiscal budget because they thought their child’s healthcare was covered, now it’s not. Parents neglected setting money aside for college tuition because grants were available to state schools. The elderly assumed the government wouldn’t pick and choose which cases of cancer would be treated and which ones wouldn’t, now they have.
• State Government: 5,000 jobs lost. Not to downplay the effect of those jobs on 5,000 California families, but in the over all scheme, how much of big government is actually reduced? Compare the number of schools losing teachers and cities losing police officers, not to mention stats above, and how much of this hit is aimed towards the bureaucracy that caused the mess in the first place.
• Hollywood Liberals in Charge: Be careful what you ask for. You campaign and raise money for the same lobby groups that help shape big government. Now that all the industries are leaving and the manufacturers are going away, you will be the only “RICH” people in the state. How come you never see “STARS” campaigning for the millionaire tax or luxury tax on the items and services only they can afford, to help California out of it’s financial woes? They cheered when child healthcare was proposed, why are none stepping up to keep it in place?
• Sanctuary Cities and Illegal Immigration: The construction jobs are gone and the cities that provide you sanctuary can no longer afford such a luxury. The people are already looking at you like a cause, what happens when the government needs to get the majority back on it’s side? I predict massive deportation in California, soon.
• No to Drilling: Back to the Hollywood elite, you know, the big green machine. Now that you are the only “RICH” group left and the main source of income of the California state government, will you still oppose drilling?

I’ll give California until it’s budget deadline before I start predicting what will happen in the sequel to this movie. The bureaucrary was definelty handed a blow but will it come back with a genius plan to once again trap the good guys in a vicious cycle of cat and mouse? Or will the good guys dispose of the little “villain” and focus it’s attention the Federal Government? Will the little “villains” failure expose the big “villains” evil plan with enough time for the Hero to save the day?

The Mid-term elections of 2010 will tell the next portion of the story. Pay Attention.