VOTE! Get Involved. Be Informed!
By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
August 1, 2014 – OhioMBE
There are less than 100 days until the November elections. It is imperative that micro-enterprises exercise their right to cast a ballot. Many challenges and barriers have been erected to stifle the vote. Voting must be important because some in our state and across the country are going to extreme measures to prevent some of us from doing it. Don’t let that deter you. Their efforts to prevent you from voting should make you even more determined to get the required identification and stand in line to vote. You are not too busy. As we commemorate legacy and the struggles from Freedom Summer, it is our obligation to participate in our democracy.
Business is political. It is critical to the continued growth and development of small businesses that we engage in the political process. Are the lawmakers acting in your businesses’ best interest? Are laws being enacted that hamper or grow your business? Have your voiced your displeasure on how your tax dollars are spent? Are your elected officials engaged in the community or do they simply take their marching orders from powerful PACs that provide the majority of financing to their campaigns? OhioMBE encourages you to be an informed voter. Elected officials must be held accountable for their votes they cast. During the campaign season, many politicians will say whatever is necessary to get elected. The important questions are what they will do when they are in office and how do we make them keep their promises? Are they looking out for us? As small and minority business owners consider asking the following questions to those seeking public office and your precious vote.
- What have you done for minority businesses during your career?
- What do you promise to do for minority businesses if elected?
- What minority business do you regularly purchase products for services from?
- Why should minority business owners vote for you?
- How important is minority business development to the overall Ohio economy?
- Are minority business set-asides and goals in city/county/state government still important and why?
- Why isn’t the city/county/state meeting its MBE and EDGE purchasing goals?
- What can the city/county/state do to improve its purchasing with minority businesses?
- What measures are being taken to insure that state law is followed and procurement goals are met?
- What should minority owned businesses do to get city/county/state contracts?
- Is there anything else, aside from contracting that the city/county/state can do to assist MBE’s?
- Who are the major contributors to your campaign?
Vote!
Just my thoughts…
rwb
