You can make the difference!!!!

You can make the difference!!!!

By Congressman Alcee Hastings

      We all know that every vote counts.  But, we rarely think in terms of how much not voting counts.  You see, when one does not vote it compounds the vote of another who casts their vote. Even worse, it allows someone else to control your life, fate, and to some extent, your death.

     In short, not voting can be bad for your health, education, and welfare.  The categories mentioned above are eclipsed by the fact that your vote can determine if and when the country goes to war.

     The reason I am writing about voting and/or not voting is because I read an article that led me to read parts of a Suffolk University’s report that show 90 million eligible voters won’t vote this year.  WOW!

     The report caused me to wonder why did Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglas spend so much time fighting for our right to vote; our right to freedom; indeed our right to the pursuit of happiness.

     Of course they were just two of the iconic figures who spent their lives and fortunes seeking to better the condition of slaves and their descendants.  Their vision had to cause them to know that in 2012 that the fate of the nation would be in your hands.  If you vote, then you are fulfilling their legacy.  If you don’t vote, then you are rendering their efforts null and void.

     LISTEN!  We had an election stolen in Florida in 2000.  That year the voter suppression efforts were underhanded and surreptitious. This year the vote put down is in our grill, so to speak. African Americans hold one of the important keys in this election. If we vote four percentage points more than 2008, which was 72 percent, then we likely will cause President Obama to win the election hands down. If we vote less than 72 percent, then President Obama will likely lose the election because Florida is pivotal. We are ground zero. Ohio is ground zero on steroids!

     This election points out vividly the dangers that lurk ahead when the voting starts October 27, 2012 and ends November 6, 2012.  This year in Florida, Ohio and 32 other states, laws were passed that suppress, manipulate, intimidate, obfuscate, and sow discord in the electorate in America.

     Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas and a host of like minded people who stood with them against slavery and for suffrage for women and Blacks were fighting for a man and/or woman to be whole not 3/5 of a person.  We have a chance to be whole with just 3/4 of us voting.  Seventy five percent can make the difference.

     Please do not be numbered among the 90 million who will not vote.  Don’t let Harriet and Fredrick down.

     So much suffering. So much pain. So little effort (voting) For a whole lot of gain YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!  C’MON NOW