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”.

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

Ed Gilbreath interviews Lloyd Marcus on Urban Faith

Watch the 1st episode of  Politics & Poker tv show of Kelsey Grammer’s new conservative RightNetwork.

Politics & Poker: Episode 1

Get inside the minds of some of today’s most relevant actors, comedians, politicians, and pundits as each week we invite guests to play cards and talk shop. The poker winnings may go to charity, but the banter is a battle for the hearts and minds of America.

Starring: Tom Wilson, Lloyd Marcus, Bill Whittle, Nick Searcy and Joe Reinkemeyer.
The host of this show is Tom Wilson. You know him as Biff in the movie, Back To The Future.

http://rightnetwork.com/episodes/politics-and-poker-episode-1

In 1985, I was asked to sing at a Ronald Reagan Inaugural Ball. I was a young black kid formerly from the east Baltimore projects, clueless about politics. However, I could not help noticing the tone of their questions and odd stares I received from reporters who interviewed me. “So, you “like” Reagan?”

Naive about the liberal media, with a big smile, I boldly replied, “Yes, I like Reagan. Every time I hear this man speak I feel good about myself and my country.”   I later learned that as a black person, I was suppose to hate Reagan.  Everyone said all of his conservative talk was “code” for racism.

Upon hearing my favorable comments about Reagan to the media, a relative was angry at me. She scolded, “Reagan wants to cut my check!.”   I don’t ever remember this relative having a job.  She had kids by different men.  Her sons fathered babies out of wedlock. Her daughter had two babies without a husband.  My angry lifelong welfare mom relative and all of her offspring were on welfare living a cycle of government dependency.

My mom even commented about how absurd it was that upon the slightest cough, my relative would rush her kids to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Room.  Why not?  It was free for them.

Though I was a very young man and clueless about politics, I thought the anger of my relative regarding, “her check” was a bit arrogant.  This woman never had a job in her life.  She simply had babies and lived off the system.  There was something morally wrong with her bold sense of entitlement.

I did not quite understand it at the time, but I knew there was something unhealthy about being so dependent upon government.

Ronald Reagan inspired me.  When he spoke of America being a shining city on a hill, he got a lump in his throat which caused a lump to appear in my throat.  Reagan made me proud to be an American.

On TV, a Secret Service agent told a moving story about Reagan.  After horseback riding, Reagan always personally bedded down his horse.  One day after a ride, Reagan could not remember the procedure. Reagan had Alzheimer’s disease.

Upon realizing that Reagan could not remember how to take care of his horse, the agent became teary eyed.  Reagan saw the agent’s compassionate for him and said, “It’s Ok.”

This compelling story confirmed my feelings about Reagan.  I believe you can always tell the greatness of a leader by how they treat those around them. Despite realizing his mental capacity was deteriorating, selfless Reagan was concerned about the feelings of a Secret Service agent.

Wow, what a leader. The agent’s story inspired me to write a song honoring Reagan. 

As for my Reagan-hating welfare mom relative, she is still on welfare.  Sadly, her off spring have not fared well: drugs, jail and premature deaths. Wasted lives.

Happy 100th Birthday Mr President.

Lloyd Marcus,  Proud Unhyphenated American

I appeared on CNN Newsroom hosted by Don Lemon. He was fair and allowed me to make my points. I stated three things in the interview. One, I refer to myself as an American rather than a hyphenated African-American. Two, the tea party protests are against President Obama’s policies, not his race. The protesters are decent hardworking concerned citizens. Three, the American people are not racist.

These statements inspired immediate outrage from the so-called tolerant and compassionate Left. An email from a self proclaimed Marxist threatened physical harm to me. He also vowed to destroy me and my music career. A creative leftist called me a “Toxic Negro”. Another called me a “sell out”. The “you’re a minstrel” and “do you tap dance too” comments in one email were interesting. Less creative e-mailers expressed their outrage towards me by using the typical “F” and “N” bombs every other word, including my favorite, “Who the “F” do you think you are?” Now, if I can create a hit song using my hate mail that would be sweet capitalistic revenge.

I received angry emails from blacks who said I should be ashamed of myself. Apparently, they believe my not resenting whites and America is a betrayal of my blackness. I no longer feel the need to be patient with racist blacks. Just as we do not tolerate the KKK and white supremacists, we should not give a pass to racist blacks. Racism is evil…period.

I am continually amazed by the Left’s anger at me for saying America and it’s people are good and that I love my country. Why should these statements inspire such rage? It appears the Left hates all who love America. They particularly despise patriotic minorities.

Folks, thanks for your prayers and numerous emails expressing your thanks and support. My strength and peace comes from knowing I am on the right side and in God’s Will. Also, my delete key is my friend.
Lloyd Marcus

Lloyd’s CNN Interview:

“Twenty Ten” C-Span video at Tea Party in WashDC:

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Lloyd on FoxNews/America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer & Megyn Kelly.

This new parity, written & recorded by Lloyd to the tune of a song by the famous Hall and Oats, was set to pictures by Cao and is now on YouTube.

Sarah Smile by Lord Marcus

Tribute to remember 9/11.

Created by the wonderful Cao.

At the September 15th Washington, DC Gathering of Eagles rally, Lloyd Marcus sang a song that filled the Eagles with so much pride and joy, the love spilled over into the streets of Washington. This is a tribute to the kindness, tolerance and beauty of Eagles and FReepers everywhere.

Hot Air’s Michelle Malkin reports from the historic Gathering of Eagles counter-protest in Washington, DC ending with Lloyd’s acapella rendition of United We Stand.

Lloyd’s original anti-illegal immigration music video.

We Know why we call Florida home. We Love Florida. Lloyd captures the essence.
All footage filmed here in Florida.
Written and performed by Lloyd Marcus.

Deltona Arts & Recording Studios

Frank produced the music

Filmed and edited by Paul Z, Sapphire Media Productions

Lloyd’s Ronald Reagan tribute.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqZUe_EiqDY

Video by Herb Fogler