Years from now our grandchildren will read about us in their history books and ask a serious question. Where did Americans go wrong? With a resounding voice, their teachers will say – they didn’t understand the importance of voting.

In the present political climate some Brooklynites seem apathetic, some disillusioned, some appalled, and others downright angry or numb. The current administration has attacked the press, public education, healthcare, immigration, and the disabled. Barefaced hatred, sexism, racism, and homophobia meant to instill fear, is touted from the top.

An accused sexual abuser sits boldly and unapologetically on the highest court in the land. Questionable ties to Russia elicit collusion theories. U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement upsets the process of global climate cooperation. The National Rifle Association spends millions of dollars and continues to influence Congress, while mass murders buy guns. And most recently, pipe bombs sent to Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, intensify an already partisan divide. We can not sit idly by and watch this madness continue.

Dissatisfaction with Washington cuts across party lines, affecting both Democrats and Republicans. The question arises. Where do we go from here? Malcolm X advocated, “The Ballot or the Bullet.” His famous speech teaches that it is our constitutional RIGHT to vote. We MUST exercise that right. We MUST vote and VOTE after considerable thought and preparation. Research your candidates and select the best representative for you, your family, and the community. Vote for a person who is a positive human being first and foremost – not just a politician. Vote for one who is moral, upright, stands in integrity and addresses the important issues of the day – inequality, injustice, and political ineffectiveness. Then hold them accountable by visiting, calling, writing, and tweeting them. THIS IS NO JOKE! We must get serious right now – Brooklyn!

Candidates are winning elections nowadays with small margins of victory. We see clearly that every vote does count. Voting effects our way of life. And on Tuesday, November 6, you have the opportunity to influence our city, our state, and our country. Vote on Tuesday and bring a relative, friend, or senior with you. Take time now to research the candidates running and read the pros and cons regarding proposals appearing on the back of your ballot at Voting.nyc.

Your life depends on it.

Know your rights as a voter. If you are not sure you are registered or don’t know where to vote, click here. Polling sites open at 6 am and close at 9 pm. Once at the site, you can ask a poll worker for assistance. If you need some help because you are disabled or need someone to read the ballot for you, federal law allows you to bring a person to assist you.
It can bring about a natural view this now levitra generika improvement in the vitality in men, which in turn will improve their weight.

Interpreters are available at selected sites. Call 866-VOTE-NYC for information regarding interpreters, if you or a relative should need one. Vote even though the machine is broken or your name is missing from the voting roster. If you are registered and at the correct polling location, do not leave without voting. Ask for an affidavit ballot. After the election, the Board of Elections in the City of New York will check its records and your vote will be counted if you are eligible to vote and were at the correct poll site. If you need time off to vote, you must notify your employer at least 2 days before Election Day. By law you may take off up to 2 hours of time without loss of pay at the beginning or end of your shift. Go to Elections.ny.gov for the specifics. If you need assistance to the polls, both Uber and Lyft are offering FREE and discounted rides to your polling site.

This is not a presidential election that gets major media attention, however, this is the most important election of your lifetime. Local officials are responsible for a significant proportion of public services. You are voting for representatives who directly impact our standard of living. Your Governor creates the budget, appoints public officials and can grant pardons. Your Comptroller monitors finances and conducts audits of state and city agencies. Your Attorney General safeguards the rights of citizens, organizations, and natural resources. Your State Senators and Assembly Members introduce and pass bills. Democrats hold control in the assembly while Republicans control the senate. As of January 2018, Republicans hold 31 seats in the 63-seat New York State Senate. State Senator Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat, caucused with Republicans. Felder represents the neighborhoods of Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Kensington, Sunset Park, Madison and Bensonhurst.

As you can see Brooklyn, by the positions listed above, your local government has money and power to decide who and what is a priority. They decide how things are run in our communities like: public schools, police and safety, affordable housing or not, public transportation, minimum wage, and so much more. Get out the vote people!

Once you have voted, take a picture of your “Just Voted” sticker and tag OurBKSocial on Instagram. The time for complaining is over! Believe strongly that together we can make a difference for ourselves, our children and our children’s children. “Yes We Can” Former President Barack Obama once said, our most important task as a nation is to make sure all our young people can achieve their dreams.”

See you at the polls on Tuesday, November 6.