NDG’s View
Early voting for the 2016 March 1st Texas Primary began on February 16th and will end on February 26th. Citizens of Texas will speak up, one-by-one, as ballots are cast, and, finally, tallied on March 1st. As citizens of the United States, and more importantly, citizens of Texas, we now hold the responsibility to our countrymen to honorably, and honestly, stand and elect our choices for the powerful positions of President/Vice President and U.S. Representatives.
With the recent passing of Justice Antonin Scalia and the Republicans congressional power to block President Obama’s nominee’s confirmations; it is but another bitter, but pressing reminder of the importance of our vote in every election. The national element of this year’s primary is vitally important to our country and the many dilemmas and challenges our society must face, and certainly, try to overcome. In our country’s present state of crisis, it is imperative we all participate in this primary and later general election to be held on November 8.
Our progression of programs, policies and laws that are now in place to assure access to affordable healthcare, marriage equality, affordable education, women’s rights, voting rights, civil rights and basic human rights are all at stake with this election, and must be protected. The necessity of raising our voices is critical or we could stand a great chance of regressing to the point of losing what we’ve gained through much compassion, bravery and tireless labor. It would be shameful to have gained all of this in our, seemingly, never ending quest for equality, just to risk losing it because we are too busy, or we are counting on others to speak for us, or we are too brainwashed to understand our vote matters.
As citizens of Texas we are also given the responsibility of electing candidates who are bidding for seats from State Representatives, to State Supreme Justices in varying districts. Again these positions are vital to how we are represented as constituents of their districts. And it could be the difference in, the importance of our voices being heard on the national level, or being muffled by paid extremists who do not represent the interest of our people.
We, as a people, have proven from our astounding turnout of the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, the importance of our voices, better yet, the power of our voices. We know we can evoke change and progression.
With knowing this power we hold, and how we brought change in history by electing and re-electing the first African American President of the United States of America, can we also be so bold as to use this same power to elect the judges, sheriffs, county commissioners, etc. who can bring change which affects our daily lives?
Certainly, we can.
The question now becomes, will we? And will we take the time to study the candidates’ resumes, their voting records, their ideals of progression, their plan of implementing policies, their commitment to upholding present laws, and serving our communities with the dignity and loyalty we deserve?
Just as we hold the responsibility to our countrymen in this Texas primary election to have our say on the national level, we should owe it more to our neighbor, and the communities in which we live and serve, to come together and raise our voices in hopes of electing fair and just judges, experienced county commissioners and elected law enforcers who still understand they serve people.
Please vote. Please stand up and say my voice matters in shaping our country and our communities.
I plan to vote in the upcoming elections. More importantly – I plan to vote for or against the candidates that are running for the local offices. Although the presidential elections are important, the most important elections are those of the local officials. They are the politicians who can most immediately affect my environment and circumstances.
And also, I plan to take part in the precinct conventions which usually take place after the primary elections. Few people ever talk about the precinct convention. I plan push resolutions which reflect my beliefs about what the political party that I work with should be doing at the precinct convention. More people should take part in the precinct conventions and submit resolutions to their political party. This is how we can make democracy work. Democracy in our republic form of government can only work if people participate in the process. Democracy as a process demands more than just voting. Democracy is a “contact sport” – not a spectator sport. You have got to be in it to win it. Talk is good, but talk is cheap. So I thank NDG for the article and urge/challenge us all to JUST DO IT.