A Diva State of Mind

We are only 56 days away from Election Day, November 6, 2012.  If you have not registered to vote, PLEASE DO SO TODAY!!  I can’t stress enough how important it is to vote for ALL elections taking place this year: Presidential, House, Senate & State. I was going to prepare a separate post stressing how important is was to pay attention to the other elections taking place this year, but as I write this post encouraging you to vote this November, I might as well go ahead and share my thoughts with you now.

While the Presidential election is extremely important, so are the Senate, House, and State elections.  Those trying to change voter registration requirements and ultimately take away our right to vote are State Officials. I was watching MSNBC with my parents the other night and there was a story about the Republican Ohio Secretary of State. He decided to eliminate early voting. In 2008, 98,000 people in that state voted early. The local senate is also deadlocked on where polling will take place in the State’s largest city. Democrats want it downtown but Republicans don’t want that to happen. How are we 56 days away from Election Day and a polling place hasn’t been finalized?  The actions of the Secretary of State have been brought in front of a judge. I pray the judge orders the State to reinstate early voting.

But Ohio isn’t the only state trying to make it harder for people (Democrats) this year.  Other states are trying to enforce new voter requirements claiming this will help eliminate voter fraud.  This claim is complete bs.  Voter fraud is extremely rare. I, like so many other people, believe these changes have been made to make it harder for Democrats, specifically minorities and the poor, to vote.  If you don’t think there’s an attack on our right to vote, a right our ancestors fought so hard for us to attain, you better wake up!!  I encourage all of you to be aware of what is going on in your state and speak up if you know it is not right. Write letters, call and show up at their office door if you have to but make sure you know what is going on and make sure you know what’s required of you to vote in your state on November 6^th. Research candidates in your state so you can make an informed decision and vote for those who truly have your best interest in mind.

In 2010, we saw a shift in Congress and the Republicans became the majority in the House. Since then, they rejected President Obama’s America Job Act upon arrival which would have created thousands of jobs.  Some have stated that their goal was to make sure President Obama was a one term President. They focused more on getting rid of a black President than the actual needs of the American people.   And please let us not forget both some in Congress and local officials (i.e Virginia Governor McDonnell) were trying to dictate what women do with their vaginas.  They aren’t women and don’t know how our bodies work!  I really think these politicians don’t think about their own wives, mothers, daughters, nieces, etc when trying to enforce their conservative beliefs on women. SMDH!

While it is important to elect a President that reflects your morals and has the best interest of the American people in mind, it is equally important to elect members of Congress and state government who will cooperate and do the work the American people elected them to do.   These individuals, like our Presidential choice, should reflect our morals and understand the needs of the people.

So I urge each and everyone one of you to first make sure you are registered to vote.  Visit www.registertovote.org to register in your state.  If you’re in the DMV and need any assistance, please let me know. I want to make sure all of you are registered and fully prepared to exercise your right on November 6, 2012.  If we want to see politicians work to enrich the lives of ALL Americans, it is imperative that we register and show up to the polls.