Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “I don’t care about voting.”
Unfortunately, chances are that you’ve heard someone say those words. Only about half of all Americans are registered to vote.
There are several reasons for this lack of participation. People believe their votes don’t count. They say they’re too busy or there’s no differences among the candidates.
All of these reasons are bogus.
As union members, we don’t have the option of taking the easy way and letting others decide the important issues for us. It’s our responsibility to cast our votes wisely in local, state and national elections.
When we don’t, we put our freedoms in the hands of others. We can’t let this happen, because there are too many powerful corporations out there using their riches to confuse voters into voting against their — and our — interests.
It’s no mystery why some people tune out. Campaigns leading up to a presidential election are long and some of the rhetoric we’ve heard for the past several months has been over the top and offensive.
We’re fortunate to live in a democracy, however, and there are many people in the world who do not have the right to elect their leaders. For all our society’s faults, these people are much worse off.
That’s why we can’t let apathy or frustration take over. Nor can we focus on hot-button topics rather than the issues that really matter to working people.
Vote your economic interests
We must choose the best candidate in every race to protect our economic freedoms. Study the issues and decide who is most likely to protect the rights we have as union members and who will support us as we strive to provide better lives for our families.
When Election Day comes in November, we must be ready to step forward and fulfill our obligations as union members and as citizens.
How do you register? To learn how, contact your union rep or call the union office. And once you are registered, be sure to vote for labor-friendly candidates and causes.
Vote to protect your job! Vote for the survival of the middle class! Vote to make our country and our world a better place! |
