Dear Editor,
I am appealing to Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans to come out to vote tomorrow as well as to become involved in the political campaign; their participation may very well determine the outcome of several close electoral contests in New York and around the country that will impact on their future. Give a donation and or volunteer for a campaign to bring out voters as I have been doing for weeks. Polls open at 6:00 A.M and close at 9:00 P.M in NY (8:00 P.M in several states); candidates are looking for volunteers to ramp up turnout. I urge Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans to come out in their numbers to make a difference in the outcome of several races.
In NY, the election is held for Governor and the State Legislature (Assembly and Senate). Polls show the incumbent Gover-nor Andrew Cuomo ahead and heading for re-election. The Democrats are way ahead for control of the Assembly but the Republicans are ahead in polling for control of the State Senate in a close battle; control could go either way. One Guyanese Ameri-can, John Sampson, is seeking re-election to the Senate from Brooklyn.
Nationally, polls indicate the Republi-cans will retain control of the House and seem set to take control of the Senate that is currently controlled by the Democrats 55-45. The latest polls through yesterday show ten Senate seats extremely close with Republicans picking up a minimum four seats. Democrats, however, could pick up two seats from the Republicans. The polls show Republicans as having the momentum and needing a turnover of just six seats to capture the Senate. Political conditions don’t look good for the Democrats making turnout critical to determine the outcome.
Democrats are running away from Presi-dent Obama similar to how Republican candidates ran away from Bush in 2002 and 2006. Obama is extremely unpopular and democratic incumbents don’t wish to be seen with him; instead they have turned to Bill and Hillary Clinton to campaign for them, both of whom remain enormously popular long after they exited the White House. Some Democrats also turned to First Lady Michelle Obama to campaign for them for she is more liked than the President.
Political pundits are looking at races where Republicans seem set to wrest seats from Democrats and these are the races where immigrant Americans, like Guyanese and other Caribbean folks, could make a difference. Important interests are at stake.
For example, amnesty for illegal immigrants hangs on the outcome of the election. Thus, Caribbean people and other immigrant Americans cannot afford to be left out of the election; they constitute an important chunk of voters in key swing states. Their turnout could tip the balance in these close races. They must vote and make a wise choice on the candidate best positioned to further their interests.
I urge my fellow Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans to come out in your numbers and vote and join a campaign as I have been doing to support candidates who will service our communities.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
