Commentary- Vote Like Your Life Depends on it- It Does, You Know

Columnists — By Buddy Sampson on November 2, 2026 at 5:39 pm

First, we are living in unprecedented times, times I thought I’d never see again in my lifetime. Hatred and division seem to be growing at an incredible rate.

Just last week, President Donald Trump said the following at a rally while discussing Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and this is a direct quote:

“If you’re Black or if you’re Jewish, and if you vote for Abdul, you’re crazy, OK? You’re crazy. You’re crazy anyway.”

I believe many of the policies enacted by this administration have not been in the best interests of everyday Americans. Meanwhile, Trump’s estimated personal wealth has increased by billions during the period surrounding his return to the presidency, while his businesses have generated substantial revenue from cryptocurrency and overseas transactions.

And yet, here in California, gasoline prices are hovering around $6 a gallon, among the highest in the country. Grocery prices are out of this world. I can only afford to eat steak once a month because the price of beef is so high. The cost of food is simply outrageous.

And this doesn’t affect just the Black community. It affects all communities.

But we can do something about it.

The Scoop LA has approximately 71,000 website subscribers and registered users, and tomorrow, November 3, 2026, is an important day in American history. YOU have a voice in where our country is going. YOU have an opportunity to help shape the direction of our democracy and the ideals of the promised American dream.

I remember a time, around 2009–2010, when Republicans and Democrats disagreed but still remembered that we were all human beings. We would argue about politics and then party our butts off together.

I want to go back to those days, when we were respected around the world as a kind nation, a nation that doesn’t leave anyone behind.

This midterm election is crucial. The balance of power in the House and Senate will determine how much oversight Congress can exercise and how effectively it can challenge or support the administration’s policies. Issues such as the war, the cost of living, and the growing gap between the wealthy and working Americans deserve serious attention.

I have a few friends who complain and complain and complain about politics but don’t vote. To those of you who don’t vote: don’t complain when people are elected to government who don’t care about you or your families.

As a very popular man once said, “Don’t boo, vote.”

I’m going to add something.

Don’t complain, vote.

And to Black Americans, I want to say this: This is our country, too. Don’t ever accept the rhetoric that we are somehow less than, that we don’t belong here, or that “you’re crazy anyway.”

Vote like your life depends on it. It does, you know.

Homelessness

I’ve been accused of oversharing and sometimes I do. However, in this local election I endorse Karen Bass. She has not been perfect. In fact, the handling of the LA fires, which was not her fault, gave me pause. But her big cause is homelessness and I know what that’s like. I got my Master’s degree a couple of years ago but I wasn’t under any illusions. I knew that my younger classmates would get jobs, but as an older Black man, I knew I’d struggle. I’m stable now but I slept in my car for 6 months. If you’ve never been homeless, you’ll never know the challenges that homeless people face- finding a bathroom to shower and relieve yourself. And worse of all being treated like you’re an animal, not a human being. So, since Bass is trying her best to rid Los Angeles of homelessness, I say give her 4 more years.

No one should be homeless in a country as rich as we are.

 

I have to mention someone publicly- Seth Peterson. You may have seen the talented Seth Peterson in a TV series “Burn Notice.” Visit his IMDB at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0677397.  I met him at a place I worked briefly, and I lost my apartment and was living in my car at that time. Seth gave me a pair of Ray Bans, which I proudly wear and he said it was an investment in me. He said that in a year he’ll be coming to see me on stage. Well, it was a prophecy that came true, except Seth couldn’t make the show and it’s an incredible story.

Baj Ridgell was one of The Scoop LA’s biggest advertisers. (Read the tribute I wrote to him). That man was a tower of a man and he invited me to record with him. Due to a misunderstanding, I learned the wrong bassline and struggled to learn the bassline he wanted me to play in the studio. I know I can play; I’ve graced stages in Europe and America. Baj was such a classy man, he paid me for my time anyway. I was very upset about that, because I wanted to do well.

A few weeks later, Baj died. Read his tribute I wrote and go into The Scoop LA’s website and search for Baj. He’s written for Donald Byrd and for the SOS band. When I heard the news, I rushed over to his house to console his wife Marla and offer my services. I ended up officiating his Celebration of Life. I knew there would be great musicians there so I was determined that I was going to play. At the end of the Celebration of Life, I had the wonderful opportunity to play with Chillie Willy Groove, on percussion, Robert Turner on keyboards, and Don Bell on saxophone. I really wanted to prove that if I know a song, I can play it. We played Mr. Magic and the audience at the Celebration of Life seemed to love it.

A week later, Chillie called me and asked me if I wanted to do a gig. It was with singer Wanda Willis. I hadn’t graced a stage in two years and I was reluctant to play, but since the gig was 10 blocks away from where I lived, I decided to do it. I was super nervous because the musicians I were playing with, were some of the best musicians in the city. I was with HB Barnum on keyboards, a musical icon, who I hope to do a story on. I was with my now brother, Lyndon Rochelle, a wonderful drummer with a humble attitude. I had interviewed Keschia Potter on saxophone at the Playboy Jazz Festival some years ago and there she was, on stage with me. Wow! And David Snow is a terrific guitarist who has a couple of CDs out. And Wanda Willis is a good singer with outstanding stage presence. I was on the stage with some real heavyweights on my first gig back……after being homeless.

So, I practiced my butt off. And was nervous and made mistakes, but everyone in the band, including Wanda, welcomed me with open arms. I love to play basketball and there was a basketball court right outside the venue. The person whose respect I really wanted was HB. Look him up. He’s done musical arrangements for Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls. He’s a very humble and funny man. Before the gig we did a rehearsal and I was visibly nervous and shaky. But when the curtain rose, I remembered playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival knowing that several fans were coming to see me play, and I thought to myself, “Buddy, you can play. Don’t let the last two years convince you that you aren’t worthy of being on stage with these amazing musicians.” We started off with a song “Sugar,” and if you want to hear it go to buddy.sampson5 on Instagram and you can hear it.

Sure, I made a couple of mistakes, but coming off a two-year layoff? I played well. For me, all this illustrates that God is good all the time. HB, by the end of the night was teasing me about looking like a basketball player. It meant the world to me to be welcomed as a professional musician. And I’m happy to say that I’m back playing on stages. I give all praises to God. Look for me to be 100% back on stages. And thanks Chillie for the referral to the gig. Wanda Willis is a very talented actress and singer. Read the story I wrote on her in The Scoop LA.

And Seth Peterson? Thank you for being one of the few people that didn’t kick me while I was down. Thank you for keeping me pumped up and encouraged.

I’ll never forget you Brother!

Hillary Streitberger

Hillary did an article on New York Fashion Week (NYFW). I really want to do a lot more fashion and stuff for the ladies that read The Scoop LA. Hillary is a terrific writer and I hope to have her on staff. Read her article on the talented designer Oliver Tolentino. She’s a true talent.

Paula Stewart

I wrote an article on Paula Stewart, who has a book out, “Lucy Loved Me.” I met her through another friend Jerry Brandow and she, at 97 still is a picture of elegance. She was Lucille Ball’s best friend and I can now say she’s a friend of mine too. I recently had a milestone birthday and she invited me for dinner over her house to celebrate my birthday. Her book is a page-turner. You’ll laugh and cry and get to know a Hollywood icon that you may have not known.

And finally…

The world has become strange and hateful. But you don’t have to be. Try acts of kindness and it doesn’t take too much. Helping an elderly lady with her groceries, or giving $1 to a homeless person- just do little things in your circle and we can change the pattern of hate, just by simply being nice to other. And never, ever, ever give up. If you believe that you can, you will. I went from homelessness to playing with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles. Giving up was never an option for me. Don’t ever make it an option for you either. With God, you can do anything. Even if you don’t believe in God, believe in the power and will inside you to make this world a better place. I love you and believe in you. Make sure to love yourself first and good will follow. I promise you that.

Wishing you all love, prosperity and peace.

Buddy Sampson