Vote Democrat!!

Ten Great Reasons to Vote DEMOCRAT Tomorrow

Election Day is once again upon us in New York City and in the days leading to next Tuesday’s historic event, it’s important that we reflect on matters past, present, and future that are both exciting and disturbing as we prepare to make our selection at the polls tomorrow.

I am a Democrat. I support the full democratic platform—its ideals, positions, and accomplishments. I celebrate these accomplishments with my family and friends when time and again the fruit of these labors are evident in the eyes of the many people that benefit from a fair and balanced government, grounded in the expansion of human and civil rights and equal access for all. I also join my family and friends in our collective outrage and sadness when reactionary factions seek not just to undo these proud accomplishments but wish to return us to chains, not ones made of iron but instead wrought from the denial of our God given inalienable rights, all while waving the American flag.

As a Democrat, now is not the time for complacency. New York City the capital of the world, always at the forefront of commerce, finance, entertainment, fashion, recreation, multiculturalism, ecumenism, and, most important of all, our unwavering belief in the progressive principles of the Democratic Party. The mark of a true progressive is one that supports the full platform of the Democratic Party, and doesn’t select items “a la carte”.

It is as a New Yorker and a Democrat that I give you ten good reasons from 100 years of history to vote Democrat on Election Day:

1.      Democrats are the party of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It opened the doors to better schools and better employment, core tenants of our advancement over the past 50 years.

2.      Democrats fought for a women’s right to vote in 1920. Less than 100 years ago this sacred right was denied to women; today women make up the clear majority of voters.

3.      Democrats gave us the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which for almost 50 years protected our right to choose our civil leaders. This year the Act was weakened by the Supreme Court, so our vigilance on this matter needs to remain strong.

4.      Democrats gave us women’s reproductive rights and, after close to 40 years has saved countless lives through these rights. This too requires attention as non-progressive states across the country choose to attack these rights constantly.

5.      Democrats gave us the Fair Labor Standards Act and numerous other labor laws, giving us the 40 hour work week, overtime pay, the right to organize, the right to enter into collective bargaining, minimum wage, and workplace protections for some of the most vulnerable of our citizens, our children.

6.      Democrats have always been at the forefront of Immigration Rights. Once seated in the city council, I will proudly cast my vote in favor of Intro 410, expanding voting in city elections to ALL persons over the age of 18 legally residing in the city, allowing for over 800,000 potential new voters across the city.

7.      Democrats gave us Marriage Equality in New York State in 2011 and, contrary to conservative predictions, this didn’t cause our society to didn’t collapse and at also introduced a much-needed infusion of capital into our local economy.

8.      Democrats gave us the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by resetting the time allowed to file pay discrimination lawsuits against employers.

9.      Democrats gave us the New Deal during the Great Depression, by refusing to turn a blind eye to the plight of a nation and instead putting people back to work, protecting our senior citizens through the Social Security Act, and modernizing our country’s infrastructure in ways still visible today.

10.  Democrats gave us the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Known as Obamacare, this is the truest mark of an enlightened society, recognizing and protecting the right to affordable healthcare for all, not just the privileged.

If you cherish the freedoms of equal rights for everyone, for the continued advancement of all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, employment, age, and more, and if you value the progressive ideals as the best part of life here in the world’s capital, New York City, then I urge you to VOTE DEMOCRAT tomorrow, November 5, 2013. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. If you don’t know your poll site please call 311, or visit http://nyc.pollsitelocator.com/Search.aspx on any computer or smartphone. 

Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. is the current Democratic Nominee for New York City Council, 36th District and male Democratic District Leader of the 56th Assembly District. He is also the President of Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (V.I.D.A.), one of the strongest political clubs in New York City.