They Drank The Kool-Aid. We're Drinking The Tea.

It was another great meeting yesterday here in Houston. At least two dozen patriots braved cold and rain to offer ideas about the next Tea Party protest on April 15. The conversation was full of adrenalin, excitement and determination to let Washington know that we are fed up with their irresponsible actions and their placing crippling debt on the backs of future generations of this country – virtually assuring the financial ruin of America.

They Drank The Kool-Aid...
I wonder if you’re one of the people that use the term "Kool-Aid" drinkers to describe the cult-like affection that Obama supporters had during the Presidential primary and general election season? We saw it all, didn’t we? From grade-school tots being led in songs to and about Obama; to Hollywood stars saying and believing he is "the hope"; to Louis Farrakhan literally calling him the Messiah; to young, black teenage males chanting and "frat stomping" declaring that they have a desire to achieve because Obama lives. We witnessed the fainting spells, the crying, the screaming, the declarations that life was going to be easier because Obama was going to save the day.

And, we laughed. And, we cried. And, we found ourselves in an outrage and feeling indignation (those of us who call ourselves conservative or libertarian) because it appeared this cult-like, Jim Jones figure was able to seduce the electorate with his perfect teleprompter readings, cool, black swagger, and left-handed jump shot. And we’re just waiting for the command to drink the Kool-Aid and for all to drop on top of each other, women and children first.

We’re just plain mad.

And, then Rick Santelli (whom many had never heard of before the CNBC video went Internet viral) spoke to the frustration, uttered "tea party" and conservatives went nuts and were off and running without a second thought!

Now it’s time for that second thought. Now it’s time to ask the questions, "What next? What now?"

...We’re Drinking The Tea
For all the great planning, and the wonderful turnout at the February 27, 2009 Tea Parties across the nation, there is no plan to turn this energy into an effective campaign to change the direction of this country. And, isn’t that what we really want? Isn’t it about having a government that doesn’t respond to the challenges of the nation with socialism and knee-jerk spending because they think they "have to do something" while all the while ripping the Constitution to shreds and trashing the economic principles that made this nation the most prosperous the planet has ever known? Isn’t this Tea Party phenomenon suppose to be about getting this country back to its free-market foundation, its pro-family agenda, restraining and diminishing the power of government and resurrecting reverence for the Constitution and individual liberty? Or, is it really about just coming together, giving stirring speeches, letting us vent our frustrations and then skipping joyfully back to our homes (and, let’s be real, there are plenty of folks that still have homes and are paying their mortgage on time) and stewing some more, frustrations rising again as we witness our elected "representatives" utterly ignore our gatherings and continue to do what they want?

Are we fooling ourselves? Are our gatherings really getting the attention of Washington, or Austin, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Richmond, Atlanta, or Springfield?

Once we have come together to express our unity of purpose and frustration, the next step is to coalesce around conservative organizations that are organized for action and changing the political topography of this nation. There needs to be RagingElephants.org-like organizations springing up all over the country. These organizations should be prepared to take this hunger for action and a desire to get plugged in and offer these activist-in-waiting a vehicle to effect the change we all know must happen for the country to return to its true core principles.

This concentration of effort being put to great use to give us a platform to speak of our frustrations, must be directed to purposeful, legitimate, rationale yet radical, political tactics that will bring about change! If at the end of the day all we have done was get together, listen to great music, had some great chants, ate too many hotdogs, chuckled at some imaginative signs, and lost our voices cheering eloquent oratory, then our laser focus on protest has been in vain.

Find organizations that have a plan in your area or offer expansion to your area of one that exist elsewhere. If there are none, create one. Make sure they are legally and financially viable. See to it that they are not merely organizations but that they are organized. Avoid talkers and look for the doers! Link up with groups that have the patriotic guts to take on the establishment knowing they will become a target of the keepers of the status quo – because it’s only these type of patriotic assemblies that will have the courage to bring about the change we all desire.

Remember, it is rightly said that all politics is local. So start right there in San Francisco, Chicago, Des Moines, Harrisburg, College Park, Lincoln, Casper, and Boise. Remember, the mother’s milk of politics is financial capital. So, after your offerings to the Lord’s house, let your greater financial contributions go to these organizations for liberty. Fund the work of liberty.

To revalue liberty in our nation, it’s going to take you contributing not only your money, but also your skills. Find the organizations of liberty in your community and become a volunteer. Whatever your skill, it can be used in the cause of liberty for your nation and for your children.

Let’s remember, the original Tea Party of Boston did very little to change the political reality of the colonies. Indeed, it was an exhilarating step toward that ultimate goal. Yet, it acted to merely stir up the ire of Parliament and King George and harden their determination to oppress the colonies for their economic advantage. It took a level of patriotism that led to out-and-out war for liberty to become a reality and a nation to be born. Having Tea Parties is great and throwing Lipton into the Potomac makes liberty purist warm all on the inside. But, what are we willing to sacrifice, how intensely are we willing to fight to see liberty revalued in this nation, again?

Let's take the next step. Let's don’t just talk. Let's do! Let's make the change! Let's BE the change!

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani

Thanks, Rush: The "Clarence Thomas-ing" Of Michael Steele

The party of Ol’ Dixie (the Confederacy) is back, fiercely! That would be the Democratic Party. Enslaving bunch, they are. And they want to keep the members of the electorate who are of color on the plantation of identity politics and socialism. Let us look at their latest exploit compliments of the spiritual affliction of this party of the Ku Klux Klan – this party of John 10:10, "steal, kill, and destroy."

By now you’ve heard of this conjured up Steele v. Limbaugh controversy about who is the true leader of the Republican Party. This is an actual mapped out strategic tactic of the Democratic Party as documented by sources such as Politico and others. Obama campaign manager, David Plouffe, called Limbaugh the "Minority Leader" in an article he authored for the Washington post. (Find these articles linked at RagingElephants.org) The Democrat bulldog, James Carville, has admitted to the strategic tactic.

Okay, leave it up to yours truly to give it to you "straight, no chaser." This controversy is a blatant attempt to "Clarence Thomas" the Man of Steele by the Democratic excrement machine. This well-documented strategic tactic has nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh. It has everything to do with the Man of Steele. They want to bring down Steele, not elevate Limbaugh. They want the GOP to remain in the bog of the current public perception that will not allow the party to get up off the mat. Whether you recognize it or not, the Democratic Party is playing the race card, again!

Here is how it works:

As you know, RagingElephants.org is a grassroots organization that was created to expand the base of the conservative voting block through racial diversity. The demographic trajectory demands that the GOP must make as its number one priority the penetration of communities that it most recently considered Samaria – don’t you dare go in there. But in order to win elections in the very near future and beyond as the nation becomes increasingly browner toward 2042, the GOP has had its eyes opened and they now recognize that the party is too white and that has to change in both perception and reality.

With their wicked ability to see into the future, the Democrats have already peeped out how dangerous the election of Michael Steele is for the plantation. As I have advocated as a political strategy from behind the microphone of The Christian Politician Radio Show, race and gender have to be neutralized in political campaigns for conservative-libertarian political policies to have a chance at eating into the Democratic-controlled electorate in communities of colors. Tactic: GOP black men must run against Dem black men. GOP black women need to run against Dem black women. GOP Black women must run against Dem black men – gender advantage and racial neutrality (yes, it’s still an era for black women in politics). And with the election of Steele race and gender have been neutralized at the highest level of political power in the United States. A black man leads the Dems. A black man leads the GOP.

And let there be no mistake, regardless of what the pompous Limbaugh would like to state from behind the golden microphone, the elected leader of the Republican Party is Michael Steele. Limbaugh just needs to shut up. Limbaugh is not elected to anything and doesn’t have any type of political career on the line. If anyone should be apologizing it’s Limbaugh. First, for falling into the trap of the Dems. Second, for relatively unconstructive criticism of Chairman Steele. "Hey, Rush. Shut up! You're making our job HARDER!"

The man with his whole brain tied behind his back, is too blind to see what the Dems are doing? They’re doing a "Clarence Thomas" on Michael Steele and Limbaugh is too self-absorbed, too self-promoting to understand that he’s the noose and tree for the "high-tech lynching".

Question: Why wasn't Rush Limbaugh the "leader" of the Republican Party when Mike Duncan was chairman? I do believe he had a radio show at the time. I do believe he was spewing the usual rhetoric.

Question: And if Rush Limbaugh was the "leader" of the GOP at anytime, then isn't he just as guilty of ineffectual "leadership" as those who are nestled in elected public office? Wait a minute... He was against McCain in the primary season. McCain won. He was against Obama in the general. Enough said.

Why do the Dems need to "Clarence Thomas" the Man of Steele? Because whenever a man of color, especially an African American man, a black conservative begins to advance in the GOP he has to be taken down. He becomes a demonstration that it’s "Cool to be in the GOP". He let’s the black community witness it’s okay to be conservative. In fact, he’s saying, "You should be proud of it and don’t be bashful about letting your conservative political leanings be known". The Dems can’t let the other slaves see that a single one escaped! They have to bring him down so that an another example is put into the eyesight and psyche of the black voter that they possess. Politically-free "coon"? Not permissible!

The Dems have to "Clarence Thomas" the Man of Steele because he is the real deal. He can go toe-to-toe with Obama intellectually and orally. Coupled with shredding the perception that the GOP is the "white party", the Dems know that the plantation is about to be burned down. Add to these direct factors the additional factor of organizations like RagingElephants.org rising up all around the political landscape like mushrooms in the night, and in an attempt to play effective defense, they go on the play-dirty offensive and call Limbaugh the leader of the GOP and not the duly elected leader of the party, Steele. Basic fascist political tactics of defining your political opponent when you’re backed up in the corner and about to get your brains smashed in!

Bottom line: Replace the black face with the white face! Keep the GOP white, if only through perception. Keep the propaganda alive that the GOP is exclusive with a sign hanging on the door "Whites only". Thus, the plantation stays intact.

Plantation is about to be stampeded! RagingElephants.org!

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani

GOP Growth?: M.L.Williams For Senate

It was the usual great time down in Brazoria County, last Friday. Yvonne Dewey, the county GOP chairwoman, and her crew, held their annual Lincoln-Reagan Day dinner. Ron Paul, a Brazoria County resident, and other political luminaries were in obligatory attendance. We were sorry to hear that newly-elected state senator, Joan Huffman was ill and unable to attend.

I had the great privilege of being seated next to U.S. Senate candidate from Texas, Michael L. Williams. Williams is the current chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. For all of our out-of-state readers, the Railroad Commission has nothing to do with railroads. It’s all about Texas energy policy. I don’t know the history why. You figure it out then tell me, please.

You can look for Chairman Williams on Facebook. He’s a large, black man that habitually works a bow tie. And his command of a room when speaking is very becoming. Yes, he’s articulate, accomplished, and has obvious political aspirations for higher office. He wants to get to Washington to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison when she resigns to run for Texas governor.

A few names have surfaced in the race, including the equally charismatic and articulate Roger Williams, the former Secretary of State for Texas. However, looking at the upcoming senate race from the lens of RagingElephants.org, I want to examine the campaign from the perspective of which candidate’s campaign could most best benefit the party now, and in the distant future. What is going to benefit the party the most? The growth of the party.

Let’s review. Texas is in the rifle scope of the Democratic Party. Texas GOP is suffering a double-digit deficit when it comes to voters that identify themselves as either a "D" or an "R". A recent Gallop poll reports that party preference in the Lone Star State favors the Dems by 2 points. The Hill Research Center in The Woodlands, Texas, published a very disturbing survey that showed just how tarnished the GOP brand is, just in Texas. The party is seen as outright racist!

With all of this as a backdrop, the question has to be asked, "Which candidate is best to combat all these negatives?" And, another question, "Is there a candidate that can actually ‘grow’ the party?"

Let’s be clear right here. Neither RagingElephants.org nor I is endorsing a candidate. Especially in this very early campaign and with a very good field for the primary and the possibility of others entering the race. What we are looking at is the demographic trajectory of the state and the nation, and what it portends for Texas and national politics for many election cycles to come. Because of identity politics (folks voting for folks just because they look like them – a major problem in the communities of color), the GOP has to take advantage of the electoral, psychological reality. We have to be smarter than the race-baiting liberals.

Remember, RagingElephants.org is all about growing the conservative voting base through racial diversity – the fastest way to get back to election dominance, and, in addition, certainty of retaining majorities for generations to come. Those of you that read this blog have come to understand this dynamic and have shown your support for the work that RagingElephants.org has begun. So, we are looking at the potential shaping of the race from this perspective. And, from this perspective, it looks to us like Michael L. Williams is the only candidate that will actually "grow" the party.

RagingElephants.org would like to see a 20+% black voter support for the GOP slate by the mid-term of 2014. We have seen the numbers that say that some African Americans don’t completely find the Republican Party as anathema. They will vote for a Republican on some occasions. This was most recently shown in the 2004 re-election of Bush, the Younger. Add to this the anecdotal evidence of the black barber shop and you can find great potential for the GOP with the nomination of M.L. Williams to the general election for senate.

Talking to the "brothers" at the salon, there are those that flatly say they will not vote for M.L. Williams because he is a Republican. They just can’t bring themselves to vote for a Republican under any circumstance. One actually told me, "I voted for the black man when I voted for president." Translation? You’re not a real black unless you’re a Democrat. We’ve talked about this mental illness before. We’ll talk about it again in the future, I’m sure.

On the positive side, there are the "brothers" that have said that they WILL vote for Chairman Williams because he’s black. They want to see history made. They want to see the "brother" advance. And they don’t care that he has an "R" behind his name. This is promising.

This goes a long way to prove my theory that being proactive in seeking out qualified, attractive candidates from communities of color will go a long way to get the swine excrement off the brand of the GOP. We have made the argument that we need new faces, new messaging, and new messengers to change the general public’s perception of the GOP. And the only candidacy going into 2010, at this moment, is the run of Chairman Williams. And let me add, he would make a striking contrast to the projected candidacy of current Houston mayor, and pasty white liberal, Bill White. (Note to the Mayor: Dude, you live in Houston, Texas. It ain’t that hard to get some sun!)

To have a few million blacks vote for a Republican, maybe for the first time in their voting history, could be huge for liberating them from the Democratic plantation. They'll be able to see that they can vote for a Republican, no matter what race, and they won’t be immediately struck with leprosy. Then the GOP has a truly fabulous chance to complete the conversion with outreach follow up and the like. But the most important thing that will keep blacks in the GOP column will be to deliver positive change to their lives through time-tested conservative principles.

No, we are not advocates of identity politics. But we are advocates of wise political strategy. Obama is not the fulfillment of Dr. King’s Dream. This nation, especially the "black nation", is a long way from evolving to the manifestation of the Dream. Closer, indeed. But, no cigar. And, until that happens, it’s time for the GOP to recognize that reality and start looking at the advantage of running candidates of color, en masse. Haven’t we learned the power of image and perception? It kicked our butt on November 4, 2008 – a seminal moment in American politics, forever!

The only candidate that can actually "grow" the Republican Party in the very endangered red state of Texas, is Chairman Michael L. Williams.

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani

PB&V: Peanut Butter & Votes

I’m happy that peanut butter is a nonperishable food item. The jar I have open and eating out of this evening has been sitting around the pantry for months. So, I’m not too scared of being poisoned. And I can continue to enjoy my PB&J sandwiches.

A Texas peanut plant has been shut down because of the possibility of salmonella contamination.

(Read the story here http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6264491.html )

What does peanut butter and salmonella have to do with political power? I’m glad you’ve asked.

There are so many things to write about in the political sphere these days. But I find it absolutely divine when something happens like what happened this morning. In the midst of getting dressed and preparing to commute to church, up popped an ad on the televison. It was a peanut butter ad for a very popular brand. The business of peanut butter and peanut products have been plummeting with the recent salmonella scare with hundreds of people getting sick and some unfortunate deaths. In the midst of this peanut panic, one company responded rapidly with the television ad calming the fears of the public by stating its products are salmonella free and that their company will continue to take every precaution to make sure that their products do not become tainted.

This isn’t anything remarkable. This is just classic, standard public relations for a corporation that doesn’t want to see its bottom line reduced any further by the scare. They rapidly responded with damage control. The peanut butter company was reactive to the condition and proactive in getting a message out quickly so that its reputation and brand would not be tarnished.

In the midst of watching this commercial of only a few seconds, it dawned on me that the conservative-libertarian movement lacks the same type of responsiveness. During the laxative debate (I’m sorry, I meant stimulus), lefty organizations and unions plastered the airwaves with ads encouraging its passage and vilifying the GOP congressional members. I could very well be mistaken, but I can’t remember seeing any ads airing from our side of the political spectrum.

Rapid response and mass media is something that is sorely lacking when it comes to our tactics in the War on Socialism. As endorsed by Karl Rove in an article written in the immediate aftermath of November 4, 2008, Republicans are going to have to form more independent groups to do the work that either the party apparatus is unable or unwilling to do. We can’t depend on friendly talk shows and television networks to do the heavy lifting for the message. That audience is primarily made up of the faithful. Thus, when Michael Steele gets on Fox News, again, his message isn’t reaching those that are faithful to MSDNC.

To get to the wider audience, the peanut butter ad is the model. Ads have to be bought and aired (or, printed) on a variety of outlets to let a wide-range of the electorate see/hear the message and rebut what could be a held belief contrary to the position of liberty and conservatism. The peanut butter ad was created to keep customers. GOP ads must be created to get new voters and help accurately define socialism. If this basic PR move is not followed, the name of the GOP will continue to be tarnished like a peanut butter factory that has been found to have dead rats in its air ducts.

This is why supporting an organization like RagingElephants.org (http://www.ragingelephants.net/) is critical. It’s designed to be rapidly responsive and aggressively proactive. And while others undoubtedly see and understand the wisdom of this commentary, probably a long time ago, there is a hindrance to making it work. The lack of willingness of conservatives to fight back with their dollars. Democratic organizations are winning when it comes to raising the funds needed to produce these ads and submit them to the public. Let the conservative-libertarian organizations complete their task and do what they have been formed to do. But, you, the purist of liberty, the concerned members of the electorate, you MUST support these organizations with generous and continued donations. The War on Socialism is a war of ideals, ideas, and the ability to communicate. If not RagingElephants.org, find an organization that appeals to your sense of urgency and get behind it with all your might.

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani

UPDATE: Don't Care?...

Texas Party Identification (Gallup)
2002
Republicans 52.4%
Democrats 39.6%

2006
Republicans 50.0%
Democrats 42.0%

2008
Republicans 41.0%
Democrats 43.4%

In just two election cycles the Democrats have:

• Closed the GOP margin in the Texas State House from 14 to 2 seats!
• Gained the advantage in Harris County (Houston)! -- the nation's 3rd largest county, that's larger than half the states in the United States of America.
• Total control of Dallas County!
• Beat an incumbent GOP state senator for the 1st time in a decade!
• Carried Harris County, Dallas County, Travis County (Austin), and Bexar County (San Antonio) in the 2008 presidential election -- the first time since 1964 for Democrats to accomplish that.

Just a point of privilege:

Tina Benkiser, the current chair of the Texas Republican Party, could find herself the national co-chair if Ken Blackwell is elected national chair, this very morning. With this kind of record in Texas, do we really want Benkiser in any other party position, ever? Well, maybe receptionist.

Jared Woodfill, the current party chairman for Harris County, is under seige. Yet, just this past Tuesday at the quarterly executive committee meeting (the local every 3-month convention), he produced a shameful display of self-centered politics for the express purpose of thwarting an effort by many precinct chairs to amend the bylaws and establish a steering committee to enact an effective plan for the party going forward. Woodfill turned the meeting into a personal campaign rally!

Don't Care About Texas Politics? You'd BETTER!

If Texas politics isn’t important to you, it should be! The state of Texas and its political status should be the absolute top priority for the RNC and every freedom-loving American. What happens in Texas in the next two or three election cycles will determine the governance of this nation – thus, the course of the world – for the next generation.

Yes, my friends. It’s that critical. And, of course, I’m going to explain why.

After the 2010 census, there is a very real possibility that Texas could gain at least three more electoral college votes. This is in the face of the certain loss of a congressional seat for California for the very first time in the history of that state. It is because of human movement that this is happening. Not because of illegal immigration. But because legitimate United States citizens are leaving the terrible economic conditions and crushing, liberal government of the state of California for the lands of (relative) liberty – states like Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

The same pattern is continuing from the other side of the continent and the northeast of America. This trend has been happening for decades as the Americans from states like New York, New Jersey, the Rust Belt, and Michigan flee bad economies and stifling tax policies. The electoral college power has been dwindling in the Northeast and Midwest. Nevertheless, the region is increasingly liberal. The result? Liberals moving to "red" states.

Claver-ism #18: Just because someone crosses the Red River (the northern border of Texas) that doesn’t make them a "red" voter.

With changing demographics and an impotent Republican Party apparatus, there's a very strong possibility that by the 2012 presidential election Texas will be "blue". Game over!

Imagine: The Democrats controlling the entire northeast and New England; the industrial mid-west including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois (of course); making inroads into Dixie via Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida; firming up support in flyover county like Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas; maintaining control of California, the Great Northwest, and claiming new strongholds in Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado; and, for the cherry on top, taking Texas! This isn't fiction. It’s on the verge of happening.

Listening to a presentation on this past Tuesday from David Benzion of Hill Research Consultants, a GOP polling firm here in the Houston area, it was revealed that their polling indicates that Texas could follow in the path of Colorado in the very near future. Just a few short election cycles ago Colorado was clearly "red". Not anymore. In Dr. James Dobson country, the governor is a D, the two senators are D’s, and every member of the House delegation save two are Democrats. Benzion pointed out HRC sees very similar patterns in Texas that were seen in Colorado before they were swept under by the "blue" tide.

Just today, Gallup has released new polling data that essentially calls Texas a "toss-up" competitive state, now! By their data, the Democrats have a two-point advantage. By their statistically analysis, there are only 5 strong GOP states in the entire Union, now, and Texas ain’t one of them. Are you getting a little nervous? You should!

In the midst of all of this, the Lone Star state is being hamstrung by a GOP party leadership that is impotent, and driven by self-centered ambition. There is some type of disease in the political atmosphere. It appears that the worst cases of the epidemic are attacking the Republican Party of Texas. The symptoms of the disease are an inept, incompetent, failed party official seeking a higher office (or, attempting to maintain their current position) within the party for the very purpose of ushering in the complete death and decomposition of the GOP.

As always, I’m just writing it "straight, no chaser". Texas is in a world of hurt. Thus, this nation is in a world of hurt.

If the Republican Party is unable to address the in-migration and the rapidly changing racial demographics of the southwestern states and this nation, good-bye, liberty. Good-bye, constitution. Good-bye, republic. And the admonishment of Mr. Franklin would have not been heard.

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani

Am I Free, Now?

Am I Free, Now?

There is no doubt about the unprecedented, historically mind-blowing events of this day, January, 20, 2009. The first African American was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America. Incredible!

As someone who grew up in a home of civil rights and Christ, I cannot ignore the stunning accomplishment of Mr. Obama. My father, a civil rights and political activist in Beaumont, Texas, where I grew up, is so very proud. He should be. My feelings on the matter are quite clear. I praise God that my father, my mother, and all those that went through "the struggle" and are still alive were able to witness this event. Yet, I praise God that I live in a country that allows me to oppose the new president with all the breath in my body because of his party and his policy positions. This I will do and you can be confident of that.

And with this historical day a greater question must be posed: Am I free, now?

Now that we have our first Black president, am I free to vote for whomever I desire without taking into consideration that person’s race? That didn’t seem to be the case in 2008. Anyone that dared oppose the Obama candidacy was labeled a pejorative – and, in my case, even on a live radio show. I must admit, I was pretty bold to establish a conservative talk radio show on an urban/black, liberal, Democrat, pro-Obama radio station. The very things that happened, the very names I was called (if the truth be told) I expected to happen.

And is anyone buying the myth that Blacks didn’t vote for Obama because he was Black? Of course not. We see the exit polling. We know the facts. And because of these indisputable numbers, we are fully convinced that Obama’s election is NOT the fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream.

Am I free, now? May I now vote for someone and with a party that agrees with my values and principles? May I now vote for a candidate that stands against abortion? Chances are that if I vote for an African-American Democrat candidate, I’m voting for the continued abomination of abortion that is devastating the Black community.

Am I free, now? I ask my fellow African Americans, may I vote for someone that agrees with me that a marriage is between one man and one woman as defined by the Bible? Chances are that if I vote for an African-American Democrat candidate, I’m voting for someone that supports the homosexual agenda of redefining marriage and, thus, literally attempting to openly defy God and have that defiance ratified by governmental action representing the very entity that this nation is.

Am I free, now? Is it okay for me to vote for a candidate that I agree with when it comes to the reduction of governmental scope, intrusion, and power? How about a candidate that holds a position that the lower the tax burden on our citizens the easier it is for the citizens to garner wealth? Chances are that if I vote for an African-American Democrat candidate, I’m voting for someone that believes in the ever-increasing power of government, wealth redistribution, socialist tenets that are self-destructive and unjust, and the abridgment of guaranteed liberty as promised within our nation’s Constitution.

I could go one, issue after issue. I think you get the point by now. Black voters have not been free since the 60's to vote as they believe. They’ve existed on the political plantation of the Democratic Party – openly and not-so-openly forbidden to step off the plantation or run the risk of being socially ostracized.

Now, I ask them: Are YOU free? I AM!

2009©Claver T. Kamau-Imani