Election 2008
By Rev. Jerome C. Chambers, President
Champaign County NAACP
It’s that time again and the last four years will bring new voters to make choices for the candidates that best express what they want in government, be it local county, state or national. The people who vote regularly, election after election know what is at stake in this election. The choice is individual and everyone that of voting age should be registered and thinking about how they will cast their ballot. Vote your values and value your vote!
The NAACP cannot and will not tell anyone of voting age how to vote or which candidate to choose. However, voting is a privilege every citizen should use as his right. It is time for your individual voice can be heard. It is louder than a bullhorn. It is more effective than a banner or a march. It is your right according to the 1965 Voter’s Right Act.
When you vote consider whether you believe government is a “color thing” or a “political thing.” Politically speaking, no group is perfect. Our political system is built upon the opinions of men and women. Many issues we are facing today in our cities, counties and statewide are just as debatable as our national assessment of whether we are better off than we were at any given time. We must vote our values and value our votes.
“Who’s” on first and “What’s” on second, was a great comedy routine for Abbot & Costello, but it has come down to health care, economic policy and taxation. This is no laughing matter. There is no comedic relief when people cannot discern between what is right and what is wrong.
We should not assume that all African Americans vote for Democrats, no more than we should assume that other predominate races or cultures vote Republican. However, we should all assume that the election of 2008 will be a milestone in American history and what is at stake for the survival of the American people will be the determining factor of what kind of government the people want. What the American people get depends largely on whether one is voting for a man, a woman, a political party or a cause.
Various groups and organizations have registrars available. They are preparing to get out the vote. It will be our attempt to post voter registration sites. Check out this website for updates. Register before Tuesday, October 7, 2008 to vote in the November election. Stand for something or fall for everything. Do your homework on each candidate. Do not be taken for granted. Vote your values and value your vote.