By: Ibrahima (IBé) Kaba
This year I am going to vote, regardless whether or not I am a US citizen. Whether you have a green card, here on a visa, or here “illegally”, you can too. And you should. For the sake of disclosure, I must inform you it is illegal for non-citizens to vote. You could be deported for impersonating a citizen. But still I say you can and you should vote. Especially in this election. And that is not even because of the candidates. Yes, there is history on both sides. Come November 5th, America would have elected its first Black president, or first female vice-president. That is beside the point. America is at a crossroads; this election is about going left or right (no pun intended). The economy is on the line, healthcare is on the line, social security is on life support, there is the war in Iraq, the one in the inner cities; and yes, when it comes to education, your child’s name must be “no child” because he/she is being left behind.

If you don’t understand what is at stake in this election, take this for example: one camp believes humans are slowly burning the planet and therefore should work and work fast to change our habits. On the other hand, the other camp thinks the current trend in global warming is all part of a natural circle, and we should continue to burn all the fossil fuel we can lay our hands on, pollute all we must to make sure we continue to manufacture cheap goods that in short period end up in the dumpster on top of the many billions pounds of garbage we create each and every day. They say when it comes to gas, demand is not the problem, supply is. So their solution? Don’t cut on driving, drill more!

If you are not a citizen today, you could be a citizen tomorrow, your children could be citizens, and this election is about where America (to an extension the world) goes tomorrow. We all have a stake in that. So again, I say you need to pick a side and vote. And yes, you can!

Whether intended or not, American election is decided by few active individuals. First a candidate must be affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party to have any shot at winning. And this cannot be simple membership either. A candidate must be of a certain order. Who decides this order? Not the people, that’s for sure. They are not in play yet. These insiders pick “worthy” candidates and send them to the people for confirmation. But even here the people don’t decide. Not on their own. The candidate with the most money (or access to it), gets the largest share of our ear-space. Basically, the ad makers make the candidate. Then the media take care of the rest. The Kucinichs and Pauls don’t stand a chance. They have already been labeled fringe candidates. On this playing field, other candidates such as Independent, Green, Libertarian, etc, are considered long (very long) shot. And unlike football, in politics there are no Hail Marys.

My point is, the vast majority of American voters are passive voters, they don’t decide on their own whom to vote for. It is decided for them. So I figure if the party heads, the media, ad executives, celebrities and even clergy are going to tell them who to vote for, why not me. I’m their neighbor, their classmate, their friend…I have to be more trustworthy than the talking heads on T.V.

As a non-citizen, do your research on the candidates and decide who best represents your interest. In essence, if you could vote, who it would be for. Then identify citizens that would rather be told than do their own research on the candidates’ stance on the issues. Trust me, this is majority of the voting block. Approach them at work, at you favorite deli, at big and small meetings, over dinner, between class, anywhere they would give you a share of their ear-space. And give them your interpretation of the issues and the candidates. Don’t worry about being fair; when it comes to politics, nobody is. For example, tell them Obama will cut their tax (and leave out the $250, 000 annual income cap). Drive your message home on a personal note. Let them know voting is one of the most important rights they have as a citizen; a right you are denied, a right people died for, continue to die for, a right you perhaps did not enjoy where you were born.

Volunteer for the candidate of your choice, go door-knocking for them, put their sign on your lawn, paste their sticker on your car, go to campaign rallies, organize fundraising parties, donate, make calls. And don’t stop on November 3rd. On the 4th disseminate a list of polling places in your area, offer rides to those without one, offer babysitting services, make last minute calls to your neighbors, to your friends, to you family members that are citizen and of the voting age. Make it a personal goal to see to it they all vote…and if possible vote for your candidate.

Though it may be illegal for you to vote, there is nothing against you being actively involved in the political process. You can influence the election, and sway it to your favor regardless whether you make it to polls or not.

Since I walk the talk, I might as well take advantage of this opportunity: Vote Obama, and vote for change!