'When an Angel Speaks'

Special Commentary from Bishop Terry Angel Mason

Multitudes, Multitudes in the Valley of Decision!

Just a few days ago, I walked into my favorite soul food place near my home. While I was waiting in line to order, I noticed a newspaper lying on the counter and out of curiosity I picked it up. To my surprise, it was a newspaper that I read regularly, but the reason that I did not recognize it was because the publisher had completely revamped the paper and given it an entirely new look. I was so impressed by how appealing and professional it looked until I took a copy of the paper home with me. When I got home, I began to focus my attention on the unforgettable photo on the front of the paper -- hundreds of angry Americans holding signs that read, "PEOPLE NEED JOBS!" Below this thought-provoking photo was a graph starting at 2000 and ending in 2010 that emphasized the spiraling unemployment rate. Additionally, the article pointed out that unemployment among African-Americans had risen a whopping 16% over the last ten years.

This article was preceded by an alarming event reported in the Huffington Post and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, about 30,000 people who rioted in Atlanta while attempting to be placed on a waiting list for Section 8 Housing subsidies. According to the Post, more than a thousand people gathered Wednesday, August 11, 2010 outside a metro-Atlanta shopping mall in hopes of being placed on a waiting list for federal housing assistance. That initial thousand grew to over 30,000 people. The massive event escalated into a chaotic mob scene filled with anger and impatience. Some 62 people needed medical attention and 20 of them were transported to a hospital, authorities said. Children were trampled and a baby went into a seizure in the heat and was stabilized at a hospital. People were removed on stretchers and when a throng of people who had been waiting hours in a line were told to move to another line, people started pushing, shoving and cursing, witnesses said. The police had to stop the crowd from storming a nightclub being used by the East Point Housing Authority in East Point, GA, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

I must tell you that because I love people so dearly, it literally breaks my heart to hear of these events and to see my sisters and brothers confronting such horrific and destitute conditions. Being a student of the mind who practices and regularly employs Biblical success principles on a daily basis, I realize that what people really need more than anything is not just more housing assistance and more jobs but the knowledge of HOW TO CREATE WEALTH. When this knowledge is obtained, understood and applied, it is life-changing. When I say "life-changing", that is an understatement! This liberating message releases individuals from the chains of poverty, sickness, worry, debt, and lack that bind them and propels them into a lifestyle that many even refer to as "the life styles of the rich and famous," a way of living that is available not just to a select few, but to ALL!

Having lived on the planet for almost a half a century, like most people I spent many years living this way. I did what most do, looked outside of myself to employers and the government for support and sustenance. This is what I was taught to do and this is what most human beings are also taught to do. The only problem with living this way (besides being frustrating as hell) is that rarely is this way of living fulfilling, and rarely do any of our God-inspired dreams ever come to fruition when we live this way. Just think, multitudes have stepped onto the stage of life and made their departure having never fulfilled the Divine Plan of their life, without ever knowing what true happiness really is -- sad but true! What is even sadder is that this mindset is so anchored in most human beings until people buy into the ideology and philosophy that this is the way life is supposed to be and never challenge these limiting factors, belief systems and/or conditions. Know emphatically that our true wealth is not outside of us but rather on the inside of us! One of my favorite passages in the Bible expresses this far better than I ever could; it reads as follows: "For we have this treasure in earthen vessels..." Cor. 4:7. The treasures that we have within are the incredible gifts that have been bestowed upon each child of God. When we learn to harness these talents, gifts, and genius abilities, and employ their use, then we find true happiness, prosperity and fulfillment.

When slavery was instituted, African-Americans overcame the horrors of slavery by activating their faith and by accessing their inner creative resources. Even though it was illegal for them to educate themselves, they found a way to do so in secrecy and many of the greatest minds were born. They tapped into Divine mind through their genius abilities and birthed many of the world’s greatest creations. For example, Robert T. Freeman was the first graduate from Harvard Dental School; Ralph Bunch became the first Black person awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, followed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Joe Black became the first pitcher to win a World series game; Edward W. Brook became the first Black U.S. Senator (since reconstruction) and was a awarded the Spingarn Medal for public service; Moneta Sleet Jr., (of Ebony Magazine) was the first Black male cited by the Pulitzer Committee, and won the Pulitzer Prize; Sarah Boone created the ironing board; Jan E. Matzelinger invented the shoe lacing machine; Walter Sammons invented the comb; Lydia O’Newman invented the brush; Madam C. Walker created hair care products; Lloyd P. Ray invented the dust pan; Thomas W. Stewart invented the mop; George T. Samon invented the dryer; John Love invented the pencil sharpener; William Purvis invented the fountain pen; Lee Burridge invented the typewriter; W.A Lovett, invented the advanced printing press; John Burr invented the lawnmower; Richard Spikes invented the automatic gear shift (used in cars); Joseph Gammel invented the super charge system for internal combustion engines; Garrett A. Morgan invented the traffic light and the gas mask; John Standard invented the refrigerator; Alice Parker a Black female, invented the heating furnace; Frederick Jones invented air conditioning; the electric trolley was invented by Elbert R. Robinson;  Alexander Miles invented the elevator; Phillip Downing invented the letter drop mail box; William Barry invented the post making and canceling machine; and Lewis Howard Latimer invented the filament in the light bulb.

If I were to list all of the of the innovative African-America inventors that have graced the planet with their marvelous inventions, there would not be enough room in this book to list them all. All of this is proof that our true wealth exist on the inside of us and not on the outside of us. Moreover, when we tap into this creative genius ability, we thrive as a race, fulfill our Divine purpose, and realize our dreams and Divine destiny; yes, and become a blessing and a boon to all of humanity.

All of these wonderful accomplishments achieved by our forefathers enrich my life today, and remind me that I come from good stock. It was these awesome accomplishments that inspired me to write, "GET ON THE ROYAL ROAD TO RICHES." Even though the book has only been out for a short time, I am confident that soon millions will be reading it (as they are my other literary compositions) and liberating themselves from the prisons of lack and limitation by harnessing their God-given gifts to create and amass wealth and achieve their goals. This book is not a gimmick, nor do I make unrealistic claims about what the knowledge contained in this book can accomplish in your life. What it will do, however, is manifest all that you have dreamed of possessing and being if you will commit to faithfully employing the principles on a daily basis. While the price of the book is extremely affordable, the contents are worth millions and will manifest millions for those who truly apply themselves.

Dr. Catherine Ponder, a famous prosperity teacher once said: You can't get something for nothing, but you can have the best of everything when you are willing to give full measure for the good you wish to receive!" The full measure that I am asking you give while reading this dynamic (life-changing) book is faithful application, for it is the application of knowledge that will manifest the wealth and happiness that you seek. There is a spiritual proverb that states, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!" It is apparent to me that you are ready because you either purchased this book or was blessed with it as a gift! This in itself is an indication of your intense desire to excel and be all that you were meant to be. Now get going! Don't waste any more time being idle! And don't be discouraged if your friends, family, and loved ones won't go on this journey with you! You may have to walk down this road alone in the beginning, but in the end you won't be walking alone, for you will draw to you other like-minded prosperous people whom the Creator will use to further propel you into your bright new future!

Always remember that every human being has several Divine appointments and a Divine destiny! Sadly, many people miss their appointments, take detours and walk down roads never intended for them to travel on. These same individuals step off the stage of life and into eternity never having experienced the kind of happiness and fulfillment that they were meant to. How this must grieve the heart of The Creator to watch His most beloved creation cheated and robbed of all the good He lovingly provided for them. Could this be one of the reasons why the prophet weeps with great lamentation while penning Joel 3:14: Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision…” An awful truth is that multitudes sabotage their dreams by succumbing to limiting thinking, while others completely abort their dreams (like a woman in travail who has experienced an untimely miscarriage), simply because they don’t know how to tap into their own individual creative abilities. This does not have to be your fate! Simply choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Terry Angel Mason, Global Author and Intl. Columnist

WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM

White House Briefs

Congressman Meeks Speaks Out

Vehemently Defends Obama and Offers Brutally Honest Assessment of GOP Debate, the Tea Party, "White Rights" Candidates and Tavis Smiley

A FROM THE G-MAN EXCLUSIVE

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has represented New York's Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the last 13 years. Regarded by many in and outside of Congress as an outspoken and fierce advocate for the rights of the downtrodden, the congressman has not minced words when addressing social and political issues like racism and government gridlock.

Meeks sits on two key committees, Financial Services and Foreign Affairs, and served as chairman of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade. The congressman now serves on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit and the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology. Detailed information relating to the congressman's career is available at http://www.house.gov/meeks/.

From The G-Man contacted Meeks and requested an interview to discuss a range of issues: the current group of Republican presidential candidates, President Obama's economic policies, Tavis Smiley's critique of President Obama, and racism in politics and America, to name a few. The congressman was happy to oblige.

In negotiating the terms of the interview, the congressman and his staff were informed that the interview would be published in a format that is customary for From The G-Man: uncensored and unedited. Congressman Meeks accepted the terms and provided the following statements.

G-Man: What is your overall assessment of the Republican debate that took place on September 7 at the Ronald Reagan Library?

Meeks: Not one of the candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination said what he or she would have done to deal with the nation's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930's. Each one criticized President Obama's stimulus package, which the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says created or saved more than 2 million jobs, but offered no programmatic alternative other that platitudes about cutting taxes and regulation. In effect, what every candidate on the stage at the Reagan Library admitted is that he or she would not have done one single proactive thing -- they wouldn't have extended unemployment benefits, provided to help cities and states to avoid laying off teachers, police officers, firefighters, wouldn't have taken steps to save the auto industry and more than 1 million jobs that were at stake, or have revived the financial system that holds the mortgages and invests the pension funds of tens of millions of Americans.

G-Man: Is there one specific GOP candidate that you think poses a serious threat to President Obama in 2012? If so, why?

Meeks: I don’t think anyone can make that determination 14 months in advance of the election. It diverts us from important tasks to spend time navel-gazing. A lot of water can flow under the bridge in a year. Plus, the situation at hand is highly volatile. A month ago most of the media thought Rep. Michelle Bachman was emerging as a first-tier candidate. A couple of weeks later, her star appear to have faded and Texas governor Rick Perry is the media’s favor of the month.

G-Man: Congresswoman Maxine Waters recently appeared on NBC's Meet the Press and stated that the President needs to enact a trillion dollar jobs program in order to get people working and to jump-start the economy. Would this be wise, given the fact that the GOP and Tea Party members vehemently oppose any notion of another stimulus package?

Meeks: While I certainly respect Rep. Waters, the questions I focus on is the following: What is realistic under the existing dynamics of divided government and highly partisan atmospherics? Is it possible to past legislation? Every serious person understands that because of our divided government this can only happen on a bipartisan basis – that somehow pushes the envelope.

I also believe it is important to learn lessons from the first three years of the Obama Administration. Some of my colleagues, along with a number of liberal economists, criticized the President’s stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for being too small. They said it should have been at least $1.25 trillion instead of $797 billion. But, the President and congressional Democrats had to wage an incredible struggle to get enough votes to pass ARRA in the Senate. Even though there were 59 Democratic senators, only 56 of the 59 Democrats supported the bill and the support of one of the two independents wasn’t firm at all. This meant that President Obama had to win over at least three Republicans to break a filibuster. None of the three Republican senators, who were the most likely to be persuaded, were willing to vote for a $1.25 trillion stimulus bill. Under those circumstances, the President had to reach a compromise with these three in order to achieve what was possible. This affected the size and composition of the bill.

The President could have said, “No deal.” Congressional Democrats could have said, “My way or the highway.” Remember the economy was hemorrhaging 750,000 jobs a month when ARRA was enacted in February of 2009. To have turned our back on a bipartisan compromise would have meant turning our backs on hundreds of thousands of Americans who were losing their jobs every week.

By the way, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act weren’t small potatoes. It is the largest domestic spending bill in history. And it was pivotal to breaking the back of the Great Recession.

G-Man: Speaking of the Tea Party, your colleagues in the House and Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Andre Carson and Rep. Maxine Waters, made comments that many considered to be unbecoming of an elected official. Carson stated, "The Tea Party wants Blacks hanging on a tree." Prior to that, Rep. Waters told a crowd, "As far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party can go straight to hell!" Again, the remarks were made by Black politicians -- and Tea Party members are predominately white. This being the case, are you concerned that the issue of race will be thrust into the 2012 Presidential election, possibly damaging President Obama's re-election bid?

Meeks: Race was an issue in the 2008 election. It is an issue in the disrespect shown toward this President. One way or another and to one extent or another, regardless of my colleagues’ comments, it is likely to be one of the subtexts of the 2012 election. How much of a subtext depends on a whole set of dynamics. What I think we should not lose sight of is the continuing potential for and possibility of the Obama reelection campaign again mobilizing a powerful multiracial electoral coalition. Let’s not forget that he won 43 percent of the white vote in 2008. That translated into more than 40 million votes. All of the President’s supporters should work for a repeat performance among white voters while trying to achieve an historic turnout of Black and Latino voters.

G-Man: Has the Tea Party helped or hurt the political system?

Meeks: First of all, the Tea Party is a faction of the Republican Party. So as a practical matter, we are talking about Tea Party Republicans. As far as I can tell, the entire strategy of this faction is to mobilize total opposition and non-cooperation with President Obama and to block bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. The important thing to understand is that in regard to policy the 60-member Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, and apparently the 4-member Tea Party Caucus in the Senate, differs with other right wing and conservative congressional Republicans only in degree. They adhere to the no-compromise, cut taxes, cut government spending, “starve the beast” strategy the Republican Party has pursued with ever-increasing ferocity since Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

The Constitution created a system of checks and balances and a structure of government based on the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and between the federal government and the states. Unless a party controls the White House and both houses of Congress, including holding a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, compromise is the only way to get anything done — especially major things. Compromise compels both parties, both houses of Congress, as well as the president to take each other’s interests into account. Gridlock results when one party or even a sizeable faction of one party refuses to compromise or even acknowledge that the other party has valid concerns and that all involved have the interests of the country at heart. A “my way or the highway” approach produces dysfunction — not only in our political system. This explains, in part, the growing lack of confidence that the public, businesses, and other countries have in the U.S. government’s ability to make tough decisions and to get things done.

In my view, dysfunction is what a critical mass of Tea Party Republicans and other right wing Republicans have intentionally imposed on the 112th Congress. I could cite example after example: the near shutdown of the federal government last spring, the failure to enact jobs legislation, and the debt ceiling debt that brought our country to brink of default. Imagine what would have happened had President Obama and the Democratic leaders in Congress had not stood up to the Tea Party Republicans?

G-Man: Talk-show host Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornell West recently toured the country in effort to raise awareness about the plight of Black America: the skyrocketing rate of unemployment, high levels of incarceration, and inequality on numerous levels. Moreover, the two men have taken President Obama to task for failing to address many of the economic and social conditions that are impacting Blacks more than anyone else. Do you believe they're right in their assessment of the President?

Meeks: No, I don’t. Nor, are they adding clarity to whom and what is responsible for the conditions many Blacks face. It seems to me that those who are blocking the President’s agenda ought to be the ones taken to task. To blame the President, to refuse to acknowledge what this president has achieved in the face of unprecedented opposition, to imply that an administration that succeeded in extending health care coverage to 32 million more Americans, saving the American auto industry from collapse, settling a 30 year discrimination suit brought by Black farmers, increasing funding for historically Black colleges, reforming the student loan program, repeatedly extending unemployment benefits, and in protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while averting default, is a disservice precisely to the people on whose behalf Smiley, West, and others claim to speak.

G-Man: Former Ku Klux Klan leader and Louisiana Congressman David Duke stated that he may enter the 2012 race for the White House, if he can garner enough funding and support. I've interviewed leaders of the White Nationalist Movement, such as Tom Metzger, founder of the White Aryan Resistance (W.A.R.) and Pastor Thomas Robb of "The Knights Party, U.S.A.", which is an affiliate of the KKK. Metzger and Robb believe the dire state of the economy, illegal immigration, and anti-government sentiment, has created the perfect opportunity for a "white rights" candidate to emerge. With a growing number of angry and frustrated white voters losing jobs, homes, their families and hope, do you believe there is a real possibility that David Duke would be taken seriously if he decided to run in 2012.

Meeks: If you mean “by taken seriously” do I think he will receive widespread media attention and garner millions of votes, my answer is no. But that’s beside the point. A racist candidate or a candidate who plays the race card, or a candidate who looks the other way while his or her supporters, advisers, campaign activists, or media backers pollute the mainstream of American politics and political discourse with overt racism or racist innuendo is a clear and present danger to the unity of the American people and the integrity of the democratic process. Such a candidate should be denounced as such and rejected in total.

G-Man: If President Obama sought Congressional approval, would you support sending American troops into Libya?

Meeks: When it comes to deploying our military I don’t engage hypothetical questions. Besides, from the beginning of NATO involvement in Libya, President Obama has been and continues to be unequivocal: No American troops on the ground.

G-Man: One of the areas your represent is Far Rockaway, New York, which is the Eastern sector of the Rockaway peninsula. Your former colleague, Anthony Weiner, represented the Western sector of the Rockaways. What was your relationship like, in and outside of the halls of Congress, and how has it changed since his resignation?

Meeks: Rep. Weiner was an important member of the House Democratic Caucus and the New York congressional delegation. He fought hard for what he believed. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents. He is missed.

I had a very good relationship with former Representative Weiner. I valued him as a colleague and a friend. I pray that he is getting all the help that he needs and that he will be successful in healing his family.

G-Man: What has been your biggest regret as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives?

Meeks: When I was elected to represent the Sixth Congressional District of New York in the House of Representatives of the United States Congress 13 years ago, I promised my constituents that I would not go to Washington, D.C. just to sit behind a desk. I vowed to make a difference in their lives and in our country. I have tried to do that. While I have been a team player within the Democratic Caucus and in relations with Democratic administrations I have not been afraid to take positions or to cast votes that many and sometimes most Democrats disagreed with or to reach across the aisle for bipartisan compromise.

I am proud of having worked my way up the ladder of leadership. I chaired the International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee in the last Congress, and I am the Ranking Member on the Europe and Eurasia Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the current Congress.

I am especially proud of having a strong relationship with President Obama. I campaigned around the country for him in the 2008 general election. I’ve worked and will continue to work closely with the Administration on health care reform, financial regulatory reform, trade, the National Export Initiative, raising the debt ceiling, foreign affairs, and many other issues.

I don’t think it is bragging to say I have been in the thick of key legislative battles − especially enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, which is the most far-reaching financial regulatory reform legislation in 80 years. In fact, I was a member of the conference committee that produced that legislation. I have introduced and passed legislation regarding minorities in the financial services industry. Just recently, I introduced the Putting America Back to Work Act of 2011. I am an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus and chair its political action committee. I am also a member of a number of other congressional caucuses, as well.

Above all, I have fought hard and effectively for my constituents on issues ranging from Social Security and Medicare to maintaining the veterans hospital located in the Sixth Congressional District to minority and local participation in the expansion of JFK Airport to improving the public schools to immigration to bringing federal aid to York College and St. Johns’ University to trying to work with lenders to assist homeowners facing foreclosure to mobilizing constituents to stop the excessive use of force by the police. I’ve sponsored job fairs that were attended by thousands. I hold town hall meetings. At the most recent one I was able to explain why I voted in favor of the deficit reduction legislation that kept our country from defaulting on its debt.

Although I have tried to be inclusive and responsive in regard to constituent services and public policy issues, I regret that I have not been able to accomplish more. Many of my constituents have not recovered from this Great Recession. I resolve to work even harder and more effectively. One of the ways I intend to do this is by working tirelessly for the reelection of President Barack Obama and for the Democrats to regain the majority in the House of Representatives and towards keeping the Senate majority. I fervently believe all three objectives are key to building upon what the Administration has accomplished and what Democrats in Congress have stood for in ways that will enable America to move forward again.

Photo source: http://www.house.gov/meeks/images/Meeksphoto.jpg

Author: U.S. House of Representatives

Permission: Public Domain

Weekly Address: Getting the Economy Growing Faster

President Obama outlines a number of steps that can be taken right away to create jobs and help the economy grow.

Obama Holds Meeting with National Urban League and NAACP Leaders

Reducing Unemployment in the African-American Community Among Topics Discussed

Earlier today, President Obama met with civil rights leaders Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, and Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, in the Oval Office. During their meeting, the President discussed the continued efforts his administration is making to spur job creation and economic growth, and reiterated the urgency of moving forward on a balanced approach to deficit reduction to avoid defaulting on our obligations.

The President stressed that such an agreement must involve shared sacrifice and reaffirmed that we cannot afford to balance the budget on the back of the most vulnerable Americans including the middle class, low-income families, seniors, and students.

President Obama also reiterated that reducing unemployment, which disproportionately burdens the African-American community at 16.2%, remains a top priority for him and his Administration.

NAACP President, Ben Jealous

The President also spoke with the two civil rights leaders about dramatic efforts his Administration has already made to address urban economic development through initiatives such as Strong Cities, Strong Communities, a program that acts to spur economic growth in urban centers while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently; the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions fund; and the Minority Business Development Agency at the Department of Commerce.

The President has worked tirelessly since entering office to bring economic relief and equal opportunity to all Americans, and he looks forward to a continued partnership with civil rights organizations like the National Urban League and the NAACP. The President also congratulated the leaders on their upcoming conventions.

Marc Morial photo source cropped from photo at census.gov website.

Author: Photographer not credited

Permission: Public Doman

Ben Jealous photo source: NAACP_centennial4

Author: Doug Gansle

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic