Positivity and the Presidency
If you follow Newcastle social media pages, you’ve probably seen a positive post from area resident Mickey G. Rose.
He may have shared some Rose-y insight into a City of Newcastle project, or he may have posted simply, “You are awesome!”
Whatever the case, with all his social media pages combined Rose is building an audience for himself. And, oh, by the way, although he hasn’t officially filed for office, he is informally running a campaign for President of the United States.
Rose can be found on Facebook at Mickey G. Rose (The Eagle) and Mickey G. Rose for President of the United States. He also can be found at The American Dream Movement. Similar pages can be found on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Rose said his primary message is to restore people’s confidence to access the American Dream.
“Trump says, ‘Let’s Make America Great Again,” Rose said. “In my belief, America has always been great. We’ve just had different opportunities or obstacles.”
Rose said the idea of being able to form a more perfect union begins with citizens being engaged and knowing legislation that’s being put forth, as well as the personal responsibility to research candidates and issues.
“There’s too much complacency and misunderstanding because too many people are not getting engaged,” Rose said.
Rose said in the past he was a Donald Trump supporter but feels that because of Trump’s attitude the former president has been difficult on the Republican party and has created a situation where individuals can’t have political discussions or debates. He said its been hard on families and neighbors.
“In Newcastle we have a sense of community,” Rose said. “We meet our neighbors and know who lives next door, and we look out for each other. If I reach out to one person to make a positive difference, I feel like I’ve done something to better one person.”
That sense of positivity, as stated, is a recurring theme with Rose, which he says he uses in his daily life and in speaking engagements. Rose, who touts himself as a life coach, says he is “a motivational and inspirational speaker who helps others to realize and tap into their inner potential to accomplish the unlimited.”
Rose’s path to positivity was not easy. His early years were self-described as extreme poverty where his family was surviving on government milk and cheese. At the age of 10, he began counseling. Rose said this turned into a three-year stint of abuse by his counselor.
“Sexual abuse across our nation is an issue that people are aware of, however, in my instance there were rumors about this counselor. The community kind of knew, but no one had the courage to stand up, confront, or investigate,” Rose said. “For someone like me at 10 years old and to start seeing this counselor and for three years to be molested.
“How is it that there was not one adult or officer or anybody who was willing to investigate some of these rumors?”
Rose said Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is usually reserved for the military but society still has to look at the long-term impact of sexual abuse, through abused women and abused children. He said they too, suffer from PTSD.
He said scientists know there is a strong correlation between PTSD and addiction, and especially with childhood abuse.
Rose’s abuse and childhood problems would later convert into an addiction to gambling.
“Gambling is one of those addictions that is very easy to hide from your family and friends,” Rose said. “A lot of people can go to a casino and have a good time, and not get themselves into a tough situation. So, compulsive gambling is not always recognized right away.
“It just becomes like any other addiction where you numb yourself and zone out.”
Rose said because gambling is so easy to hide until the person gets into financial distress, it is not properly addressed.
“In Oklahoma City and the surrounding communities there were only three certified gambling addiction counselors when I took my gambling treatment,” Rose said.
This was back in 2013 to 2014, according to Rose.
The gambling addiction caused Rose a couple of runins with law enforcement in 2012 including larceny of merchandise, a civil action of $10,000 or less, and a small claim over $1,500. Rose said these court actions were completed without him receiving a felony record.
Rose continues to deal with his past, but has a different foundation he also can rely on. In high school Rose was named a Horatio Alger Association Scholar.
According to information from the Association, the Horatio Alger Association honors the achievements of outstanding individuals in society who have succeeded in spite of adversity. They offer academic support, personal and wellness support, and professional support.
Rose was awarded a Horatio Alger Association scholarship to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University and study political science. As a National Scholar he was able to meet several leaders including Calvin Russell, Chuck Yeager, Bob Dole, and the chief executive officers of large companies. He was also elected president of his Scholar class and was a member of the Student Senate. He said at the time he had a goal or dream to someday run for an office.
Rose said he did not complete a degree at SWOSU, but instead enlisted in the military after finding out he and his wife at the time were to have a child. He went in as part of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division but left on a medical discharge after what they thought was cancer near his shoulder blade was actually a non-cancerous growth called osteochondroma.
Rose later worked as a fraud investigator and in the regional crisis response to hurricane Katrina.
In 2016, Rose became a Master Certified Positive Life Coach. He also became more active on social media. In 2021, Rose created his social media page on Facebook titled Mickey G. Rose for President of the United States. More recently he has begun a page called The American Dream Movement.
He has been engaging with interested people about his background, his political beliefs and his dreams.
“Social media is a tool that I have aggressively embraced,” Rose said. “It’s a way to get a message out to a wide audience quickly. I’m putting myself out there.”
Rose said he has a good following on his social media pages, and touts his Facebook posts as reaching 80,000 people a week.
A recent post after the Uvalde, Texas, shooting resulted in some very good conversations at a crucial time, Rose said.
“I don’t know if it was my message or that area residents just needed some hope,” Rose said. “It was a surreal and emotional moment.”
He said some members of the Uvalde community reached out to him to ask if he would be their spokesperson.
Rose told the Newcastle Pacer he is about 85% sure he will file for the office of President of the United States. If he does, he’ll discuss in his platform, as he also does on social media, the issues of government overreach, and separation of powers between Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court.
He’ll discuss that you can’t put politics over the interests of the American people. He said he’s open to legislation from either side and would not automatically reject ideas just because they come from one side.
“The Constitution is the litmus test for any legislation,” Rose said.
He has other issues, as well, such as being a self-described 2nd Amendment person, but believes there should be a balanced policy. He said the country must have a well regulated and trained militia, but he’s a believer in hunting courses, and free but mandatory background checks, as well as more enforcement of laws that are in place.
He believes a team of thoughtful Constitutionalists and average Americans could help address these issues and others. Rose’s main focus, again, is the pursuit of the American Dream. He believes in self-sufficiency
“My intention and my purpose and my passion is to let the American people know that as a young person growing up in extreme poverty, facing many obstacles, I was raised to believe that in the United States of America anyone can achieve success, anyone can become President of the United States, and we all have the opportunity to achieve success in the U.S.,” he said. “That’s part of what makes America so great.”
If elected Rose would strive to inspire.
“As President my driving passion would be to ensure that all Americans first, know that they have opportunity, and that we are providing hope and inspiration to the people of America, and restoring faith in the American Dream — that it can still be done. If you want to be a homeowner, you can do that. If you want a job, you can achieve that,” Rose said. “The United States — for all our problems — is still the greatest nation on earth when it comes to opportunity and freedom.”
Rose said when Americans pursue those freedoms and work hard, it is possible to achieve.
Rose admits he has made some mistakes in his past, but also believes that the American people are pretty forgiving. He said there will never be a perfect candidate, but if everyone let their imperfections hold them back, the country would never had any candidates.
The Newcastle resident said in pursuing his American Dream he has no ulterior motives other than to serve the American people and to protect the Constitution.