Future Change Begins Today With The Power Of The Pen

Reading is fundamental and Americans need to be reading everything they can and gain a detailed understanding of truths about those we elect to public office. Journalists should be fair and balanced and not biased in what they write. I voted early this year and I am already working on a plan that will make a difference beyond my vote. I have determined to write credible articles that inform the reader factually about what is going on in the nation. I will give accurate information about voting rights, political candidates, and incumbents year-round. This includes local, state, and national governments.

I will research what is being said and done on both sides of the aisle and report it so that Americans can see more clearly. I’ve been troubled by a lot of the rhetoric coming from both Democrats and Republicans this year that has confused United States citizens. Most recently Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that the Trump campaign had used a clip of his voice out of context to make it seem he is endorsing the president for reelection. My grandmother used to say believe none of what you hear and half of what you see and she did not lie.

Dr. Fauci's comment was regarding a totally different situation. Truth is what sets free and Americans need to know what is true and real. There need to be voices they can trust and I am determined to be one of them. While others are marching, protesting, feeding the poor and assisting the homeless I can write about these issues. This is my area of power and I will use it to the best of my ability. I believe the old adage that the pen is mightier than the sword and I do not desire to have a poison pen. Although we no longer write with pen and paper, the premise is the same.

In addition to matters of politics, I also desire to bring forth details that empower the least of these among us to better their lives. I want to make the general public aware of homeless shelters, food and clothing pantries and other resources that will benefit the needy. I already share on Facebook regarding fuel assistance programs and places local citizens can get help with paying delinquent utility bills and rent. This past year I alerted my social media associates of a local organization called the HAT team which is short for The Homeless Assistance Team.

The men and women who volunteer their time walk the streets of the local downtown area giving blankets to those who are sleeping on the streets. For various reasons, not everyone is able to stay in a shelter. The Hat team also helps homeless people find apartments and will assist them with deposits and first months' rent. If a homeless person owes back rent or has bad credit, the HAT team will temporarily place them in a motel. There is also an organization that will pay partial rent for the rest of the lives of those who qualify. I know someone who is benefitting from this but need to get more detail.

I would love to get all this information into the hands of those who need help the most. This is especially true for hungry children. Their parents need to know of agencies that bring food to neighborhoods. Locally the Southwest Virginia Food Bank goes to libraries and give lunch to needy children. I continue to run into parents who are not even aware of this worthwhile program.

I have encountered too many people who said they wish they had known about a free dental clinic or that a church was giving out food. I would like to set up a national website where people from every state can find the resources in their areas. Locally dialing 211 offers some information but not enough. Everyone has a role to play and no one should go hungry or have their lights turned out when resources are available. While others are called to do leg work, my fingers will be typing away. It's all in knowing where you fit and staying in your own lane.

Back to politics, when Barak Obama was running for president in 2008, youcould feel change in the air. When he came to the local civic center to speak, the line was backed up for close to half a mile. Once he began speaking, the crowd cheered until the building walls seemed to reverberate and it was electrifying. America elected Obama and 4 years later re-elected the first president of color. I was told that a few blocks from my home that Arabic Americans were dancing in the streets outside of the convenience store they owned. Change had come and this was an exciting time to live in America.

Unfortunately, there were some Republicans in office who fought tooth and nail against Obama on much of the change that he wanted to bring. Americans should be well informed about their state representatives and what they are doing in Washington. These men and women must be held accountable and citizens can re-elect them or vote them out during the next election when they have all the facts. There are so many fake news sites today and people run with false stories on social media. I have spent a lot of time already making people aware of which sites are satirical and those that are not to be trusted. I desire to be a balanced voice whom readers trust to tell it like it is.

A majority of the nation was so caught up in what had just transpired that they became like the munchkins on The Wizard of Oz, who celebrated their freedom with the death of the wicked witch of the East. They believed a new day was coming and did not realize that her sister the wicked witch of the west was coming and she was worse. When she appears she cut short their celebration and the munchkins were traumatized. In 2016 Donald Trump was elected because many Americans believed he would bring change and drain the swamp. Unfortunately every day during those past four years there has been sorrow and unrest in this nation.

The look on former First Lady Michelle Obama’s face on Inauguration day said it all. Her expression was one of sorrow and dismay as if she saw the chaos we have continued to deal with. American citizens need to think clearly about who they really desire to hold the most powerful position in the land. News reports and videos surfaced that showed us who Donald Trump really is and he won the election not by the will of the people but because of the electoral college. Many Americans believe this outdated system needs to be rethought. Perhaps it’s time for it to go but citizens need unbiased truth about the way we elect our governing officials.

As far back as 1961, Estes Kefauver, a Democratic senator from Tennessee, denounced the Electoral College. he labeled it “a loaded pistol pointed at our system of government.” He added that it's continued existence, created “a game of Russian roulette” because, at some point, the antidemocratic distortions of the Electoral College could possibly threaten the integrity of the United States. Based on Twitter’s increasing obsession regarding the issue that day and hour might, already be here. Various polls indicate that Donald Trump will more than likely win less votes nationally than Joe Biden. Voters know this is how Trump.

I will be researching and writing about the Electoral College that many feel is unjust and perhaps at some point, a decision will be made to change the system so the will of the people will be inforced. I am at this current time pushing Americans to vote as if their lives depended on it. I am making phone calls, writing articles and using social media. Those who run Newspapers, and magazines can all be biased in their approach to politics and a fair unbiased voice must be heard. During these next four years I will be using the power of the pen to give Americans the necessary information so that they can bring true change.

Women were not given the right to vote, they had to take it by force. As a female voter, I will use the tools available to me to empower those who are uninformed. African Americans were beaten and some died for the right to go to the ballot box. As an African American, I cannot let their suffering and death be in vain. There are some areas of this nation where voter suppression is taking place again. I can expose these injustices and hopefully make a difference after the 2020 elections are over. I can keep the images of Bloody Sunday and other important dates fresh n the minds of voters, so they never forget. Just like the late Congressman John Lewis, I'm ready to get into some good trouble in my area of expertise. Freedom cannot rest and that is why it is important to understand that the real work takes place after we vote on November 3.