GOTV

Minnie Bee's Rant:

     If you've worked on a political campaign, then you know that G-O-T-V means "Get Out The Vote."  This Tuesday, November 8th, three states - Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia - are holding local legislative elections.  A fourth state, Louisiana, will hold legislative elections on November 19th.  These elections, because they are local, are projected to attract much lower voter turnout than national elections - as low as 20% of registered voters.  With this post, I am making an effort to "Get Out The Vote." 

      Why bother to vote?  Because voting in elections is one of the primary ways that shifting the balance of power can be accomplished.   Whether you are very rich or very poor, a Ph.D. or a high school dropout, well-connected or not connected, live in a mansion or one room, own your own company or are unemployed, you have one vote.  In local elections, your vote counts even more than in national elections because local issues affect your daily life much more than national issues do.  Local elections directly impact your community, your schools and libraries, your police and fire departments, your local economy, the value of your home, and your local taxes.  Moreover, in a local election, your  vote doesn't get formulated through an electoral college.  Voting in a local election is truly "one person, one vote."  It is truly shifting the balance.

     Two weeks ago, I wrote that shifting the balance is the primary message of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.   By voting, the 99% of us who have less of the money and less of the power can shift the balance.   By voting, we empower ourselves both as individuals and as a group.  By voting, we are greater than the 1%; we have the power. 

     Therefore, if you live in one of those three states - Mississippi, New Jersey, or Virginia - holding elections this Tuesday, November 8th, or in Louisiana, holding an election on November 19th, find out who your candidates are and what their backgrounds are; inform yourself on the local issues and where the candidates stand on those issues; look at the voting records of those candidates who are seeking re-election; find out where you vote and then vote on Election Day.  By exercising your right to vote, you put democracy into action, you make a difference; you empower yourself; you help to shift the balance; you determine your future and the future of your community; you are a patriot.  Vote!

*********************
We create, maintain and support U.S. jobs when we demand, promote and buy "Made in USA" goods and products.

Whether you're deciding who to vote for, or working for a particular party or candidate, if you crave a snack, support U.S. jobs by having one that's "Made in USA" like the ones recommended below.  As always, check labels before buying, and feel free to post your own research to this blog.  Remember, "distributed by" or "manufactured by" does not mean that it was made here, regardless of the company address.  It must state that it was made in or a product of the USA!

 This week's recommended products:

·         popchips - Made in USA by popchips, San Francisco, CA

·         Pretzel Crisps - Made in USA by Snack Factory, Princeton, NJ

·         Goldfish - Baked in USA by Pepperidge Farm, Inc., Norwalk, CN

·         Stacy's Pita Chips - Made in USA by Stacy's Pita Chips, Dallas, TX