Early Voting: Our Right, Our Duty
By Azher Quader
President, CBC
Chicago, IL
During the last five years we have witnessed the birth and rise of the Tea Party movement alarming in their rhetoric, uncompromising in their positions, hawkish in their attitudes. Along with that for a short while we also saw the drama of the Occupy Movement creating chaos and trouble for the institutions of power and authority in the nation. We saw also the progressive use of Muslim bashing to excite emotions, gain cheap votes and defame a whole community.
Hate speech became more organized, more common and more hateful. The quest for a more perfect union arguably seems to have become more elusive in America today than it has been in years gone by. There is more violence in our neighborhoods. There is more disdain and dissent in our public discourse. There is more grid lock and impasse in the affairs of our government. Rarely before have we seen such division and such divide.
Notwithstanding this anger and conflict, the system continues to inspire fierce love and loyalty for country, on both sides of the political divide. In less than 16 days now that spirit for democracy and that sense of citizenship will surely be tested again as the nation heads to the polls.
Less than 60 percent of eligible voters in America have traditionally shown up at the ballot boxes to vote in the past. Considering the fact that around the globe people are willing to die in order to exercise this right, it is indeed quite distressing and disappointing that such poor participation exists in our country.
Community Builders Council (CBC) believes that one reason for this apathy and indifference could be the lack of education and understanding of the voters on issues that impact their lives. Without education, engagement is more difficult. Hence in a presidential election year, CBC has offered panel discussions to provide the public with education over the political issues of the day. During the non-presidential years we have used the websites of the candidates to educate the community on the positions of the candidates running for statewide positions and about candidates in those districts where our demographics are significant. This effort we hope will help remove some of the misinformation that is often spread through the play of sound bites in the media and counter claims by the candidates.
Early voting began today Oct 20,2014. It is probably the best option for many of us strapped for time to go to a polling station on election day, which is Tue Nov 4, 2014. We encourage all to go and do their civic duty in the convenience of the next two weeks. Sites are many and you can go where it is the most convenient location for you.
We would like to encourage you to visit the candidates' websites and familiarize yourselves with their positions on some key issues of interest to us: Health Care, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Homeland Security, Energy, Immigration, etc. When visiting the candidates' websites look under issues on their home page for their positions.
Lastly we have included a website where information on the campaign treasure chests of each candidate is provided. We provide this only for perspective. The corrupting power of money can only be minimized by the greater power of individual votes, when they are exercised.
