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This weekend, the state convention will decide if State Senator Julianne Ortman will climb the next step up the ladder to the August 14 primary to become the Republican U.S. Senate nominee to ultimately defeat toxic flaming-liberal Democrat Al Franken in the general.

Ortman released her Twelve-Point Turnaround Plan for Minnesota and America.  Upon comparing Ortman's plan to Franken's failures 2009-2014, the contras was striking. I thought, “Oh my gosh. Franken equals big government controlled slavery. Ortman equals liberty and freedom!”

The battle between Franken and Ortman really comes down to slavery vs freedom.

Here are a few examples. As a loyal enforcer for our supreme imperial dictator Barack Obama, Al Franken cast the deciding vote for Obamacare which is a huge iron-fist take-a-way of our liberty and freedom. Ortman will fight to repeal Obamacare and rely on a state model like MNCare.

Franken supports King Obama's lawless Executive Orders; his refusal to enforce immigration laws and desire to implement amnesty. Ortman says we must secure our borders and enforce existing immigration laws.

These are just a few of the issues Ortman deals with in her Turnaround Plan. When you compare Ortman's agenda with Franken's, it is quite obvious that Franken is one of King Obama's many overlords along with the IRS, DOJ, NSA and other governmental agencies, all working together in concert to keep We the People slaves in check.

Let us not forget that Franken demanded that the IRS harass conservative and Tea Party groups, lest we patriots escape from Obama's unprecedented intrusive all-powerful and all-controlling big government plantation.

In terms of their war-chest, we are talking David vs Goliath. As of March 31, Ortman has a little over $600 thousand compared to Franken's $6 million.

I am chairman of CCC (Conservative Campaign Committee). Our seemingly impossible mission which we have passionately chosen to accept is to travel the country launching independent expenditure campaigns to help conservatives get elected in key House and Senate races. On several occasions, we have faced the challenge of first defeating the GOP's anti-Tea Party establishment candidate before taking on the Democrat. Ortman for U.S. Senate is one such race.

Here is our TV ad supporting Julianne Ortman for U.S. Senate, Minnesota. http://bit.ly/1kIOJz4

Ortman is an extremely bold, brilliant and capable fighter for conservative principles; a student of Minnesota for 14 years. She has built/earned confidence and public trust, proclaiming that she has taken 14 years of public votes.

Ortman says, “It has become all too clear that Washington is broken and that it no longer serves anyone but itself and monied special interests." She added, "We need more Minnesota in Washington and less Washington in Minnesota.”

I had the pleasure of hearing Sen Mike Lee speak in an intimate setting. Sen Lee explained how vitally important it is to send conservatives to Washington. He explained that the impact of every additional conservative extends much further and is far greater than just one more vote. It encourages, strengthens and empowers their ranks.

Ortman will be a tremendous asset to our “good guys” fighting Obama-ism in Washington. So folks, whatever you can do to help push Ortman across the finish line is a victory for freedom over slavery.

The choice is clear. Freedom and liberty through Ortman vs ever-increasing slavery through Franken.

Lloyd Marcus, Unhyphenated American

Chairman, Conservative Campaign Committee

Perhaps it is due to me being a PK (preacher’s kid) with fond childhood memories of adoringly watching my dad preach well prepared sermons at the Holy Temple Church of Truth storefront in a Baltimore ghetto, the Bible remains my ultimate reference source for wisdom and leadership.

Moses who led the Israelite people out of slavery is an excellent example of what to do and what not to do as a leader. His decisions were rooted in obedience to God's instructions which proved to be most beneficial to his flock. Moses ignored vehement critics and even them threatening to stone him to death. He did the right thing even when it did not jive with popular opinion. That is leadership folks.

On one occasion, due to pressure from his people, Moses disobeyed God and took matters into his own hands. God's punishment was harsh. God told Moses he would not be permitted to bring his people into the Promised Land. Leaders do not surrender, making decisions which they know to be wrong to appease bullies, manipulators and the ignorant.

A case in point is Senator Rand Paul. Sen. Paul is out there saying that the GOP should back away from requiring a photo ID to vote. 

Common sense tells us that requiring a photo ID to vote is a reasonable logical way to prevent voter fraud. Since a photo ID is required to complete a plethora of transactions, what is the big deal? Thus, it is absurd to call the photo ID requirement to vote racist.

In essence, Sen Paul is surrendering to the mainstream media supported Democrat absurd lie that requiring a photo ID to vote is racist. During a radio interview Senator Paul said that the GOP should not push something that is “offensive” to a group of people.

Senator Paul with all due respect, and I truly do respect and like you, I find your pandering to my fellow blacks disappointing.

Since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 War on Poverty, the Democratic party has implemented programs and lowered standards which have wrecked havoc on black families; treating us as inferiors in need of special concessions and endless government handouts to survive. Sen Paul, the last thing we Americans who happen to be black need is for the GOP to embrace the Left's paradigm that we are lesser Americans. Do not expect too much of us poor black folks because we “be” special.

Okay, I get it and wholeheartedly agree that the GOP should reach-out to black America. Frankly, the GOP is a little late to the dance. For years, I have been pestering the GOP to reach-out to the black community with “Reach Your Dreams” tours.

My concept is simple. The tour would feature great music. I know awesome conservative rappers and dancers who could capture the ears of the young and hip seniors. Imagine successful minority speakers like Herman Cain, Katrina Pierson and others on stage sharing how they achieved their American Dreams via education, hard work and right choices (conservative principles). The GOP defeatist response has been, “Why bother? The Democrats will get 95% of the black vote no matter what we do.”

Apparently, that opinion has changed and the GOP is wisely pursuing black voters. But for crying out loud, offering a liberal Democrat-Lite agenda and treating blacks like inferiors too stupid to find their way to the DMV is not the way.

Sen Paul rather than surrendering to the Democrats' and MSM's spin that requiring a photo ID to vote is racist, show real “presidential candidate” leadership. Turn the table on the Dems. Tell black voters that the Democrats are insulting their intelligence. The Democrats talk down, expect less and treat them like lesser Americans.

When these supposed advocates of black empowerment (NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, Obama Administration and the MSM), say requiring a photo ID to vote disenfranchises blacks, it is a major “dis”. Black America should be outraged. With friends who think so little of us blacks, we do not need enemies.

I am not just picking on Senator Paul. I am simply saying voters are discouraged and frustrated with soulless politicians/candidates whose every decision is a political calculation and an attempt to win votes at any and all cost. It is not unreasonable for voters to expect political leaders with character and backbone who simply desire to serve and do the right thing for their constituents and America.

Steve Lonegan running for U.S. Congress in New Jersey and South Carolina U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy are two guys that fit the bill. I love these guys. Neither give a hoot about being politically correct. Both are fearless fighters for truth, justice and defending our liberty and freedom. That's what I'm talkin' about.

I have not selected my preferred 2016 GOP presidential nominee. I want someone trustworthy who will always do what is honorable, righteous and best for my country; no divisive pandering or special concessions to groups to win votes. Please, we have had enough of that low rent politicking in government.

Nor, will I support a GOP candidate who sticks their finger in the air to see which direction the MSM endorsed and consultant's political wind is blowing and designs their platform accordingly. Stop insulting our intelligence and morality by continuously advocating lowered intellectual and moral standards and calling it outreach and creating a “big tent”.

We are Americans, products of a remarkably successful unique experiment. GOP, deal with us accordingly with respect; not like the Democrats who treat Americans, particularly minorities, like incapable inferior entitlement junkies in need of government managing every aspect of our lives.

We need a conservative leader who will grab the steering wheel and reverse the direction of our country away from Obama's Government Controlled Welfareville. A true conservative will drive us back toward our Founding Fathers' Promised Land of liberty and freedom where Americans are encouraged to be all they can be.

Sen Paul, America needs leadership, not surrender and pandering.

Lloyd Marcus, Unhyphenated American

Chairman, Conservative Campaign Committee

The Story of Welcome Home Brother

I can only conclude that a miracle prevented me from going to Vietnam. It was 1969 and I was in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC. Upon returning from my home in Maryland after a two week leave, I learned that my entire battalion had orders for Nam. There were two exceptions, myself and another soldier. God had a different plan for me.

A few years ago, I wanted to record a musical tribute honoring Vietnam vets. I asked Navy Vietnam vet Gerry Millholen to participate. In the recording studio, Gerry began sharing the pain and suffering he and his fellow vets (brothers) endured upon returning home after serving in Vietnam. False allegations against our troopers touted by John Kerry were particularly painful.

Gerry also lamented that unique to Vietnam vets, no one welcomed them home. He said, “So, we greet each other with, Welcome Home Brother”. My music producer and I were so blown away that we decided to record Gerry telling his compelling tale and add music. My tribute honoring Vietnam vets is titled, “Welcome Home Brother” featuring Gerry Millholen.

POLL: Do House Conservatives Have Enough Evidence to Impeach Obama?

She Vowed to Bless Our Troops and Their Families.

Debbie Lee knew the black car in front of her home was not a good thing. Her worst fears were realized. Her heroic decorated son Marc Alan Lee was the first U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. Experiencing first hand the extreme price our troops and their families pay preserving our freedom, this Gold Star Mom birthed, Americas Mighty Warriors. Debbie thanks our troops in numerous ways and provides aid and comfort to military families.

Here is an update I received from Debbie. “God is doing amazing things with AMW. We have tripled those that we have helped this past year and are now paying for HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for our troops with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and seeing amazing healing. I'm sure we could triple again next year as there is so much need. I'm excited to see what God will continue to do.”

I first met Debbie Lee years ago when we were both touring on Tea Party Express. I was so impressed by Debbie and her mission that I organized conservative musicians to come together to do a fundraiser for her non-profit, Americas Mighty Warriors.

Remarkably singers and musicians from across America showed up in Florida for the recording session. We recorded a song (We Are The World style) titled, “Taking Back America”. 

Each artist came to Florida on their own dime and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the CD and video package goes to Debbie Lee. The package includes 44 songs of varying genres donated by the participating recording artists.

Please help Debbie Lee help our military by purchasing your copy of “Tea Are The World”.

Please Do Not Allow Our Vet Imprisoned in Mexico to Fall Off America's Radar.

U.S. Marine combat vet Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi made a wrong turn into Mexico with legal weapons in his trunk. Tahmooressi has been living the nightmare of trying to stay alive in a brutal Mexican prison since March 31. God bless Duncan Hunter, R-Calif, for trying to bring national attention to the case. Hunter wrote a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry on Tahmooressi's behalf. Kerry is as ineffective as Michelle Obama's “# Bring Back Our Girls”. Two hundred and fifty of the Nigerian schoolgirls remain held hostage by their Muslim kidnappers and Tahmooressi continues to fight to survive in a Mexican hell hole.

Former congressman Allen West describes the Obama Administration’s response to our jailed Marine's plight as “very embarrassing”.

This situation is outrageous! For crying out loud, we are the United States of America. Let our veteran go! NOW!

Have a Blessed Memorial Day.

Lloyd Marcus, Unhyphenated American

Chairman, Conservative Campaign Committee

Thank God Obama and the Democrats' attempt to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour stalled in the Senate. 

Raising the minimum wage destroys jobs.  Democrats pushing for a higher minimum wage has nothing to do with improving peoples' lives and everything to do with playing two cards, class envy and fairness, from their deck of hate inspiring cards to win votes.

How much can Mr Joe American grocery store owner afford to pay an unskilled worker just entering the work force? When government pulls an amount out of the air that it believes is a fair hourly wage and forces it on business owners, business owners are forced to make real world economic decisions.

So, rather than Mr Joe American grocery store owner hiring 5 kids for the summer to stack boxes and gather shopping carts in the parking lot, he only hires two kids or none and gathers the carts himself. Traditionally, as one's knowledge, skills and value to a business increases, so does their pay.

Liberals argue that a family can not survive on minimum wage. News flash, a family is not suppose to survive on minimum wage.

My pet peeve with liberal's and Democrats' vision for America is that they always appeal to our lower nature. They gin-up hatred for people who have more than you. As a matter of fact, you have too little because others have too much. Therefore, it is only fair that we empower government to take their stuff and redistribute it to you.

Democrats and liberals say, hey, you want to kill your baby in the final month before birth, no problem. Shame on hateful Republicans and conservatives for trying to change your mind.

Poll: Does the Constitution give Congress the power to legislate morality?

Democrats say do not be a sucker like those immigrants who follow the process, assimilate and become U.S. Citizens legally. Just sneak across our borders and we will roll out the red carpet for you.

In their tradition of lowered expectations and standards of behavior, Democrats are not concerned with encouraging employees to better themselves to increase their value to the business beyond minimum wage pay. Instead, with main stream media support, Dems sell the message that employers are mean greedy SOBs. Dems vow to force them to pay employees more money simply for showing up. After all, it is only fair.

Do you see the pattern? Democrats and liberals always encourage a lower behavioral standard and gin-up class envy, division and hate.

Democrats have the audacity to frame the minimum wage as a moral issue. I submit that the Democrats' approach to minimum wage is immoral; totally based on a “gimme” mindset without giving a hoot about the employer or the business.

Remember the biblical tale of the talents (money)? Before leaving on a business trip, a master gave various amounts of money to three servants to invest. To one servant he gave 5 talents. The second he gave 2 and to the third he gave one talent. Both servants with 5 and 2 talents invested their master's money, made a profit and were rewarded. The third servant who chose to remain at “minimum wage level”, buried his master's money for safe keeping, earning nothing for his master. The master was extremely angry with him.

As a proud conservative, I wish to offer a powerful proven truth to young people entering the work force. Reject the Democrats' low-rent manipulative you're-a-victim class envy rhetoric regarding the minimum wage. You are so much better than who the Democrats think you are.

When you apply at Mr Joe American's grocery store for a job, tell him you want to help make his store the most popular in town. Yes, I realize that may sound corny today. But, it works.

When you come to the business with an attitude of how can I be a blessing to Mr. Joe, you get blessed, promoted and paid. Perform on a level that there is a noticeable void when you are not there.

Several years ago, I worked in the art department of a TV station; a crew of six artists. Whenever our boss was unavailable, young Jeff voluntarily stepped up to deal with whatever. When Jeff was first to be promoted, jealous fellow artists murmured. They accused Jeff of being a butt kisser. The reality was Jeff earned his promotion; the difference between winners and whiny entitlement minded losers.

The secret to success is bringing an attitude of “how can I be a blessing” to every situation. Successful people provide or create goods and services that people want and or need. I am not suggesting that you will never encounter an abusive unappreciative boss. I am saying that bringing an attitude of how can I assist my employer to increase his bottom line and make his day a little easier will ultimately reap an employee great rewards.

Have you ever heard liberals and Democrats speak of giving to ones employer? I think not.

As is the case in most of what they advocate, the Democrats and liberals mantra is you're-a-victim and you're entitled. Now, gimme!

Lloyd Marcus, Unhyphenated American

Chairman, Conservative Campaign Committee

What do Herman Cain, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Tim Scott, Michele Bachmann, Condoleeza Rice, Allen West, Dr. Ben Carson and TW Shannon all have in common?

Calm down Joseph. I see your hand, but I want someone else to answer for a change. No takers? Ok Joseph.

You are correct. They are hated by liberals and Democrats. Tell us why? Correct again Joseph. They are women and minorities who honor God, family and country. They are self-reliant, extremely successful and do not view themselves as victims.

Liberals and Democrats will not tolerate such liberated independent thinking by women and minorities. It threatens the foundation of the Democratic Party which is built on insidious evil lies, class envy and victim-hood-ism.

POLL: Does Congress need to revive the House Committee on Un-American activities?

Very good Joseph, please continue.

For decades, liberals and Democrats have been indoctrinating women and minorities; filling their heads with lies such as America is eternally racist and sexist. They claim the only way for women and minorities to succeed is through Democrat led government mandated lowered standards, entitlements and special concessions.

Women and minorities who succeed via education, right choices and hard work, without Democratic Party intervention, upset the Democrats' applecart. These uppity women and minorities must be silenced at any and all cost.

But wait a minute Joseph. Are you saying that these self-proclaimed heroes of women and minorities would actually seek to punish and destroy them? Oh, I get it. You are saying their faux-compassion is nothing more than a PR campaign promoted by their buddies who dominate the mainstream media.

Liberals and Democrats do not give a hoot about women and minorities other than their usefulness in furthering the socialist/progressive agenda. Their mantra is continue your monolithic voting for us and we will continue upping the entitlements and keep rich white racist conservative Republicans at bay. Despicable.

Excellent points Joseph.

Because they thrive on perceived victimized voting blocs, that explains why liberals and Democrats will not seriously address epidemic levels of black out-of-wedlock births, school dropouts, unemployment, urban poverty, black on black crime and genocidal abortion rates.

They became hysterically outraged when Bill O'Reilly and Republican Congressman Paul Ryan compassionately dared to address issues which are devastating the black community.

National race relations and the lives of women and blacks are considered acceptable collateral damage in the liberal's and Democrats' implementation of their socialist/progressive agenda.

Joesph, please define “socialist/progressive agenda”.

Their agenda includes banning God from the public square to install a secular society, homosexual marriage, illegal immigration which means new Democrat voters, late term abortions and continuously increasing the size and overreach of government. Their goal is to have as many Americans as possible dependent on government (unprecedented 48 million on food stamps, over 90 million unemployed and Obamacare) which equals government having total power and control over every aspect of our lives.

Anyone, particularly women and minorities, who promote traditional family values and Christian faith is problematic for their PR campaign of indoctrinating the American people, particularly women and minorities.

This also explains liberal's and Democrats' high tech raping of Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Condoleeza Rice and others. Liberal celeb Cher called Sarah Palin a “dumb C-word”.

Rabid liberal Bill Maher called Michele Bachmann a “bimbo”. He also called Sarah Palin the C-word and a “dumb twat” with no rebuke from the liberal infected mainstream media. Can you imagine the media feeding frenzy had a conservative used the C-word to describe Hillary Clinton? Glaring hypocrisy.

Would anyone else like to chime in? Ok Joseph, the floor is yours.

Democrats claiming that Republicans have launched a “war on women” is a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black and a media supported PR game. Democrats are obsessed with women killing their babies via abortion which is the leading cause of death in America annually.

CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) is attempting to silence the movie, “Honor Diaries” which exposes violence against women.  Only conservative leaning Fox News is the lone media outlet informing the public. Due to political correctness, liberals and Democrats remain mute.

But wait Joseph. Please forgive me for interrupting. It has been my understanding over the years that liberals and Democrats are the great saviors of women.

Say what? Ok, now I understand. Political correctness and furthering their fundamental transformation of America always trumps our God given freedom, liberty, human suffering and lives. This is cruel, evil and glaring shameless hypocrisy.

Well done Joseph. Very well done.

Unlike liberal teachers, I will not give every student a gold star simply for showing up. I am giving you Joseph a gold star because you earned it. You did the work. Congratulations!

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
Chairman: Conservative Campaign Committee
LloydMarcus.com

As a 9 or 10 year old, my knowledge of the situation was limited. Therefore, I can not pass judgment on the adults. I do not know what was done or not done to rescue my cousin Glen, a little boy who was severely abused by his mom, my late aunt Bummie (a nickname). My dad threatened to report Aunt Bummie to the authorities and warned her, “Do not physically discipline my kids.”

A homosexual, Glen's adult life was cut extremely short due to AIDS. My purpose for writing is to let the world know that Glen was here, his suffering and that I loved him.

Aunt Bummie was my mom's older sister. Their childhood was horrendous. Their father was accidentally killed in a street shooting. Their alcoholic mother would abandon the two little girls for long periods of time. Mom and Bummie endured things kids should not have to endure.

In the 1950s when Dad broke the color barrier to become a Baltimore City firefighter, our family (mom and four younger siblings) moved out of the government projects into our own home in a black suburban community.

Aunt Bummie and her five sons by two absentee fathers remained in the projects on welfare. I enjoyed occasional sleepovers at my cousins' government provided townhouse in the city. Aunt Bummie's house was unkempt with holes punched in walls and broken furniture.

“Aunt Bummie, when I grow up, I'm gonna buy you new furniture”. “Thanks Peanut”,(my nickname), she replied.

I got along great with Aunt Bummie and her boys. And yet, I felt my cousins' envy of me having a dad in our home. I felt sorry for them.

Aunt Bummie and her boys lived different than my family. Aunt Bummie did not have a job. Unlike my home, the refrigerator was off limits to her children. Food was very valuable; each boy was protective of his food when eating. I remember large generic labeled boxes of government cheese and powdered milk – cans of meat and peanut butter.

Fondly, I remember Aunt Bummie covering her table with newspapers and dumping a huge pile of fried chicken necks and backs on it for us boys to devour. I still like fried chicken necks and backs.

Even as a little boy, I felt the sadness, anger and dysfunction of their household. Aunt Bummie was extremely kind and gentle with me, but brutal towards her boys – Glen in particular, the baby. I vaguely recall overhearing my parents saying Bummie hated Glen because he reminded her the most of his father.

Their household humor was weird and violent – the five boys along with Aunt Bummie would laugh hysterically about the time she broke the baseball bat while beating Jimmie and how she bent the cooking pot while beating Glen.

Glen was the family servant. When everyone was watching TV, anyone could order Glen to go fetch something for them. The slightest non compliance from Glen would result in Aunt Bummie screaming at him, and/or beating him; not spanking, beating. My heart always went out to Glen as I watched him cry during his beatings. The lack of love. The unfairness. The cruelty.

Lawrence, the eldest, was very intelligent and responsible. He played substitute dad to his brothers. Glen was intelligent and responsible. Aunt Bummie's other three sons acted like Neanderthals. And yet, she catered to her two most lazy and irresponsible boys while being extremely tough on Lawrence and Glen.

Etched in my brain is the day I witnessed something emotionally die in Glen. Aunt Bummie was beating Glen, pounding away at him with her fists. Though his seven or eight year old body bent in reaction to her punches, Glen just stood there with a blank look on his face, not shedding a tear. It was chilling.

Sadly, Aunt Bummie and four of her sons died young. Her surviving son is one of her favorites who is now in his 50s. He never had a job in his life and lives in a nursing home.

The one bright spot in Aunt Bummie's depressed household was her eldest son, Lawrence. Incredibility, Lawrence worked his way through college and achieved great things. Her favorite jobless adult sons lived at home. Despite two non working adult sons living with Aunt Bummie, a phone call would bring Lawrence with financial support. Lawrence, a homosexual, died of AIDS in his late 30s.

My heart goes out to Aunt Bummie and her boys, no husband in the home for her and no father for her sons. She was prone to explosive fits of rage. Aunt Bummie and her adult sons embraced cradle-to-grave government dependency. I believe their lives could have been so much more. Aunt Bummie eventually became a born-again Christian. Praise God!

But there is a special place in my heart for Glen. That kid never got any love. When he became an adult, according to the family grapevine, Glen was a bit wild and crazy, sexually promiscuous with very little self-respect. What if Glen would have had a real dad rather than the federal government? His life would have probably been much different. Truly sad. Truly tragic.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
Chairman: Conservative Campaign Committee
LloydMarcus.com

It occurred to me that my 86 year old black dad is a man of “firsts” -- a born pioneer, boldly going were no other black had gone before.

In 1946, Dad and Jackson were the only black Merchant Marines on their ship and the first “coloreds” to land at the base in St Petersburg Florida. Dad came close to being hung by an angry mob simply for being there.

Dad had a tough beginning. The product of an extra-martial affair, Dad was raised by his aunt, Aunt Nee.

Aunt Nee was a pretty remarkable woman. Though she never graduated high school, Aunt Nee (Rev. Anita Bethea) was extremely articulate, well read, a great singer (reminiscent of Mahalia Jackson), a gifted speaker, student of the Bible and pastor of her own storefront church in Baltimore, Maryland.

I asked Dad what kept him, growing up as a fatherless black child, on the straight and narrow, not getting into crime or drugs. Without hesitation, Dad replied, “Aunt Nee!”

I knew what Dad was talking about. Aunt Nee had this way about her. Her approval felt important. Aunt Nee babysat me. “Lloyd Marcus, you should be ashamed of yourself.” A spanking for my naughty behavior would have felt less painful.

She was a born teacher; no lazy or sloppy speaking was tolerated. Aunt Nee sent me to the corner store. “Ask the grocer for U-nee-da Biscuits”. She distinctly pronounced each syllable.

When Dad was a teen, he was really excited about the latest fashion craze, the zoot suit. Despite his pleas, Aunt Nee refused to allow Dad to purchase a zoot suit because she thought only hoodlums wore zoot suits. That is called parenting, folks.

An entrepreneur since age ten, Dad shined shoes at the bus station on weekends; proudly hauling in a bountiful $1.25 from shoe shines and tips. Dad paid rent to Aunt Nee, treated himself to a day at the movies with popcorn and purchased his first article of clothing; a t-shirt. Dad bragged to his buddies, “I'm buying my own clothes now.” You can not get such a feeling of self esteem, confidence and pride from cradle-to-grave welfare.

Dad said he and a buddy were misbehaving once on a public bus; nothing serious, but a bit annoying to passengers. A woman said, “It's how they were raised.” Dad said her comment cut like a knife and stopped him in his tracks. He knew Aunt Nee had raised him better.

Aunt Nee and Dad had a tradition of beginning the new year on their knees in prayer. As a young adult partying in bars on New Year's Eve, Dad would run home just before midnight to begin the new year on his knees in prayer.

Dad recalled, as a young Merchant Marine, flirting with a much older woman. The beautiful 31-year-old was sitting on his lap, and everything was going great until he accidentally replied to something she said with, “Yes Ma'am”. Overhearing, a fellow sailor chuckled and said, “It's hard to break way from that home training.”

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Dad was a typical young person, but never strayed too far from the foundation Aunt Nee instilled in him.

I asked Dad, “With no role model, what made you pursue things not typically pursued by blacks?” Dad replied, “I don't know. Whenever a door opened, I walked through it.”

In the 1950s, Dad was one of a few blacks who broke the color barrier to become a Baltimore City Firefighter.

Dad was Baltimore City's first black Firefighter of the Year, two times.

Dad was Baltimore City's first black paramedic.

Dad was the Baltimore City Fire Department's first black Chaplain.

An exclusive country club offered a special reduced membership rate to “all” firefighters. Dad noted the word “all”. He joined the club. Dad took my younger brothers Jerry and David for a swim in the pool. A stunned black staffer approached Dad in the locker room, “How on earth did you get in here?” When Dad and my brothers got into the swimming pool, the white members exited the pool. Dad kept coming back and eventually the behavior of the white members changed.

After the passing of the Civil Rights bill, Dad took our family to a whites only drive-in-movie. Dad said the ushers directed our car, “That's it, that's it, keep going”. Upon realizing that the ushers had guided our car through, out of the drive-in-movie, and back to the main road, Dad and my mom erupted into laughter. As Dad was telling me the story he had difficulty containing his laughter. He still thinks the incident was quite funny.

That is who my dad is, an easy going, good-hearted and upbeat remarkable man.

Years ago, I wrote a tribute song to Dad tilted, “Real Man”.

At 86, Dad's mind is as sharp as ever. He still pastors four churches. Praise God! I am extremely grateful for every day, I have him in my life.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
Chairman: Conservative Campaign Committee
LloydMarcus.com

Just when Mary was mastering not over-cooking (burning) steaks on our grill at home in Florida, duty called us back on the road, with our Conservative Campaign Committee team traveling to freezing Minnesota to defeat Al Franken.

My charcoal-grill-master-in-training awesome wife hates cold weather. Nevertheless, she is willing to brave bone-chilling temperatures and snow to fire Franken!

Not only is Franken responsible for causing pain and suffering to millions of Americans by providing the 60^th vote which enacted Obamacare, but Franken also threw Minnesotans under the Obama bus in the process.

Unique to Minnesota, they already had a program (MinnesotaCare) which provided affordable and accessible healthcare -- on a sliding-scale-premium basis, without mandates for anyone else. As a result of Min-Care, Minnesota had the third-highest insurance coverages in the nation, accomplishing a great thing on a state level. Thus, no federal intervention/program was needed.

Franken sold-out Minnesotans to implement Obama's unprecedented tyrannical power-grab, further proving himself to be a loyal servant of Obama rather than a representative of his constituents. Franken repeated and promoted Obama's lie: “If you like your health care plan you can keep it.”

Rather than repeating liberal Democrat incumbent Franken's long list of offenses, I wish to focus on our solution. I am extremely excited and proud to announce that Conservative Campaign Committee endorses Conservative Republican State Senator Julianne Ortman for U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

Candidly, our endorsement did not come easy. Our CCC team thoroughly and critically examined the field of candidates, and Ortman rose to the top. We could not stomach another RINO (Republican In Name Only).

With the GOP openly warring against the Tea Party, Ortman is the only candidate in the race who has reached out, meeting with over 50 Tea Party groups. How refreshing and encouraging.

Ortman wants to repeal Obamacare, folks, fighting it since 2010.

In her facebook ad, Ortman proclaims, “Keep your doctor. Change your senator. Repeal Obamacare!” I love it!

A shocking article which exposed that hospitals are using aborted babies in their furnaces for heat documents a growing callous disrespect for human life. Thus, I am elated to announce that Ortman is pro-life, endorsed by the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life State PAC.

During my research of Ortman, it was obvious that Ortman is a strategist. Excellent! We need more conservatives who know how to get things done, fighting alongside Sen.Ted Cruz and Sen. Mike Lee.

Here are just a few other reasons why Ortman deserves your prayers and support.

Ortman has an impressive track record of fighting for lower taxes, less government spending, and less government regulations over our businesses and families. How scary and outrageous is that, folks -- government regulating our families?

As Chair of the Minnesota Senate Tax Committee, Ortman lead the charge to eliminate Minnesota's $6-billion deficit without raising taxes.

Ortman served as a spokesperson for the Senate Republican Caucus, confidently articulating and championing conservative principles. Yes, that's what I am talking about!

Here is another bit of good news, folks. Ortman has won the endorsement of ShePAC, the fantastic organization that backs conservative women for office.

Ortman is a proven winner -- the kind of formidable opponent needed to take down Franken. She won her last 8 elections, including re-election to the Minnesota State Senate in 2012 with 65% of the vote. Wow!

Breaking news, just in: Sarah Palin endorses Julianne Ortman.

Yes, I am pretty stoked about this candidate -- a bold, bright and strong conservative woman. I salute Ortman with my tribute song to conservative women I recorded a few years ago titled, “Our Girls”. It will bring a smile to your face. Go Ortman!

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
Chairman: Conservative Campaign Committee
LloydMarcus.com