Our 40th president's birthday earlier this month caused me to reflect upon how Ronald Reagan impacted my life.
In 1981, I was a young singer/songwriter, clueless about politics, when Ronald Reagan won the presidency. An event planner asked me to perform at an Inaugural Ball.
Reporters asked, “Why are you here and why do you like Reagan?” I could not help noticing the baffled looks on their faces upon hearing my reply. “I like Reagan because every time I hear this man speak, I feel good about my country and myself.”
I later learned that as a black person, I was suppose to hate Reagan. Democrats said Reagan's talk about welfare reform was “code” for his racism and hatred of blacks. As I said, I was young and clueless regarding politics, codes and such. And yet, in my gut, I knew Reagan was a good man.
My aunt hated Reagan. She said, “Reagan wants to cut my check!” Even as a non-politically informed person, I noticed my Aunt's bold and arrogant sense of entitlement in her voice when she said, “My check!” Here is a woman who from as far back as I can remember lived in the projects on welfare. I do not ever remember her having a job. In fairness, if my Aunt had a disability which prevented her from working, I never knew of it, as it was not visible. She had five kids and a boyfriend, but no husband.
Her daughter got pregnant really early out of wedlock with both the new teen mother and her baby adding to the welfare roll. My Aunt's drug using sons, my cousins, impregnated girls out of wedlock, repeating the welfare government dependency cycle.
I overheard my mom commenting to my dad about how her sister practically lived in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency room. At the slightest cough, off my Aunt went with her child to the emergency room. But why shouldn't she? It was free.
So, you can understand my being taken back a bit hearing my young seemingly healthy Aunt who had lived her whole life, totally dependent on government, trashing Reagan for daring to suggest she do something for her freebies or receive a little less.
Over the years, I have grown to have compassion for my Aunt. Our lives are a manifestation of what we believe. Tragically, my Aunt had little or no confidence in her ability to succeed in America. I believe the Democratic Party promoting that America is a racist country and blacks can survive only via democrat legislated government programs contributed to my Aunt's distorted view of her country; the greatest land of opportunity on the planet for all who choose to go for it.
Ronald Reagan inspired me to believe in myself and America.
I believe you can tell a lot about the character of a person based on how they treat “the little people”; people who can not advance their career or social standing.
On TV, a former secret service agent told a great story about Ronald Reagan confirming, in my mind, Reagan's greatness. The agent said he and Reagan had been out horseback riding. Upon their return, Reagan always prepared his horse to be put away. On this occasion, due to Alzheimer's disease, Reagan could not remember the procedure for putting away his horse. The agent felt bad for Reagan and was visibly upset. Reagan feeling compassion for the agent said, “It's OK.”
Rather than feeling pity for himself, Reagan chose to comfort his bodyguard/secret service agent. I found the secret service agent's story quite moving and a window into Reagan's character. The Bible speaks about Jesus, the master, washing his servant's/disciple's feet. I believe Reagan's attempt to comfort the secret service agent was, in essence, washing his servant's feet; thus, displaying Reagan's greatness as a leader. Inspired, I penned a tribute song to Ronald Reagan, respectfully borrowing Mrs. Reagan's nickname for the president titled, “Ronnie Stayed The Same”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqZUe_EiqDY
Despite all of his landmark achievements, Ronald Reagan never forgot who he was. Reagan knew how to connect with us, the American people and we connected with him. Mr President, we miss you.
Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
Chairman of The Campaign to Defeat Barack Obama.
Lloyd is singer/songwriter of the American Tea Party Anthem and author of Confessions of a Black Conservative, foreword by Michele Malkin.
Spokesperson for Tea Party Express
Please help me spread my message by joining my Liberty Network.
LloydMarcus.com
Comment
Lloyd, Thanks for the song. Your voice is as beautiful as your heart!
Comment by Brad Myers on February 23, 2012 at 2:58pm Lloyd... Thanks for this great piece... I often wonder where the next Ronald Reagan is located to get us out of this mess... Without any doubt in my mind, he understood the meaning of "Conservatism"!!!! R.I.P.
Comment by Dolly Smith on February 23, 2012 at 1:19pm that was a wonderful eight years. I miss those times.
Lloyd...God Bless Ya...thanks for the memories and the life lesson.
Comment by Roland C. Cartier Jr on February 23, 2012 at 7:33am Jimmy, I have to say as a veteran of America we've already been there done that because I was proud to serve with all races and religions. In closing the only obstacle I see is the ones standing in our way are our so called elected divisive elected officials who will not let this issue rest. I'm done with their BS!
Comment by Jo Gonzalez on February 23, 2012 at 12:58am LLoyd, you have done it again!!! You are so positive, I love the way you explain how your ideas were formed. Only a very small Man thinks he is a King. I adored Ronald Regan also, because I was young, in the middle of my career, and I didn't have to worry about Washington, because I knew we had a true American in office. I think His most lasting impression on me, is that the Man made me proud to be an American. I felt good, secure in knowing there was someone in charge,that loved America, and I was safe. God Bless Him, and may his memory always be keep alive. He made my life so uncomplicated, I knew I could raise my two Girls, in peace.I needed to make a living and raise my Children, and He made it possible. Your poor Aunt, she didn't do anything but what the Democrats have tried to teach her. Tradegy followed. Sad.
Comment by Herrmann Glockler on February 22, 2012 at 11:30pm Lloud,
Thanks for the stories.
It gives me hope that we may yet come together as a nation, that it is politicians who, looking for an opening to gain votes, are the ones that are driving us apart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpH5L8zCtSk&sns=em
Comment by Mike McKenna on February 22, 2012 at 9:37pm Reagan was a strong leader our country, like Lincoln and Washington. He was humble man but a leader of all men who cherished freedom, liberty and the persuit of happiness and always with a smile.
Regan belived in the free market economy with less centralized government power and control.
We have 8 months left to take back our country, which my group is a actively engaged. We must not have 4 more years of "The Chosen One" as America will be no longer !
Mike McKenna
Americans for Positive Change
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