Black voters must send strong signal

As this year�s presidential race goes down to the wire, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore are neck in neck, working feverishly to win popular support and jockeying for the magic number of electoral votes to propel them into the White House.

With this flurry of late campaign activity, the Democrats have picked up their call for Black voter turnout and Black Republicans are trying to squeeze out just enough Black support to undercut Mr. Gore�s Democratic base.

Neither candidate has electrified Black America, with Mr. Gore trying to stick to the moderate Clinton-New Democrat model and Mr. Bush calling himself a compassionate conservative�whatever that means.

Despite the lackluster candidates, the Black vote can determine who wins this election and important congressional race, and need to go to the polls, in big numbers.

Why? One, the right to vote is an important one that Blacks literally fought, bled and died for. It is one tool�not a panacea�to help solve the problems Black America faces.

Two, going to the polls Nov. 7 would be one step in a two step process advocated by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who has called for an immediate mobilization to get out the vote and strengthening organization to press whoever wins office.

The leader of the Nation of Islam has wisely pointed out that simply voting and not staying involved in the process doesn�t work, just as simply opting not to show up doesn�t solve the problem.

What�s needed is true voter mobilization, which means go out and vote, then organize around issues and keep track of what whoever gets in office is doing, or not doing. Then, exact political punishment on the politician or party that does not address the agenda that fits the needs of the masses of the people.

Can it work? Sure it can. Corporate America and groups like the National Rifle Association do it on a daily basis, not once every four years. That kind of pressure and focus will get much more out of the legislative process and will work on all levels.

The first step, however, is going to the polls and voting your interests, based on your assessment of the candidates and parties.