Don’t Be on the “B” Team…

Volume 2 / Issue 12

In college, most of us dreaded the mid terms. It gave us, and our professors, a gauge on where we were and where we needed to be. It was an opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to get us back on course. On November 4th, 2014, you have the opportunity to make a change and get your government, local, state and national, back on course.

Why vote? Some of us who go to the polls do so because it’s our patriotic duty. Some feel obligated. Others go because they want to see a change in direction, this time. Then there is that select group, the “B” team, who didn’t even know there was an election. This is the group we need to reach out to.

Is not showing up at the polls a conscience choice that’s made by the “B” team because they get into the mindset that “nothing will change”? ”Politicians will do what is in their best interest, line their own pockets, and continue with the standard double talk we’ve all grown accustomed to hearing from our elected officials”! Or is what we hear from this group the typical, “I didn’t vote for him/her”, or “Why did my taxes go up?”, or how about the age old classic, “See what a mess YOUR guy made!” The truth is, this is the mess the “B” team created. They had the opportunity to make the change during the mid terms…just like in college. It is the responsibility of each of us to decide, FOR OURSELVES, how we want to cast our vote. Believe it or not, your vote DOES count!

Every election cycle, SEIU will fill your mailbox, and call at the most inconvenient time, to ask for your support for their guy or gal. Since I opted out of SEIU almost a year ago, I thought I was free from the flyers and phone calls from these yahoo’s. No such luck! I have received flyers and phone calls from the SEIU phone banks asking me to support Tom Torlakson and Betty Yee, not my cup o’ tea, but I just couldn’t resist messing around a bit…A healthy laugh is good for the heart!

For those who are still with SEIU and are not familiar with the candidate selection process, it’s really something you need to experience first hand. During most local election’s, SEIU may, or may not, hold a town-hall meeting giving members an opportunity to hear the candidates, listen to their points of views, accomplishments, and how they would make a change if elected. At the end of the presentation, each SEIU member in attendance votes on who they feel should be supported, financially or with boots on the ground, by SEIU…oh, and one more thing, the votes of those members are only recommendations to the SEIU Executive Board (including those E-Board members in LA and Ventura). The SEIU Executive Board will always have the final say in who they back, not the members. So really…how is this part of the democratic process? Apparently SEIU doesn’t think their members can make informed, educated decisions. ELECTING THEIR CANDIDATE IS SEIU’S MAIN PURPOSE. YOUR DUES DOLLARS IS GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

The mid terms are a turning point. There are some who believe the mid terms are as important, if not more so, than the General Election. The mid terms are a chance to see a swing in the senate on both a statewide and national level, is a new governor on the horizon, will we be voting yes on a bond measure that will raise your taxes, but do so because it’s for the good of the group, how about your local city council person? The bottom line…it’s up to all of us to take an active role. If you think you may be part of the “B” team, get involved. Don’t sit on the sidelines watching the game…get in there and do your part!

For your convenience here is a breakdown of the state wide candidates and propositions.

Looking Towards the Future