Departments

Why should I vote for UAW-endorsed candidates?

“Republican, Democrat, or Independent, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m voting for the best candidate.”

This is a sentiment often expressed by today’s voter. But what information do we use to determine which candidate is best?

Political advertisements permeate radio, television, newspapers, and billboards in election years. Designed by professionals, these ads try to sell a candidate to the voter by framing him or her in the most favorable way while demonizing their opponent.

The best paid advertisers will skillfully use humor, patriotism or even fear and anger to persuade the voters. Are political ads the best source of information on which to base our choice?

Election year politics make good stories for the media. Newspapers, television news shows and talk radio all provide vehicles for political candidates to get their message out. Corporations use politics to draw customers to the products and services of their advertisers.

Spin or scandal, news or talk, all are punctuated by commercials. Are TV and radio shows our best source of information?

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just sit down and talk to a political candidate and tell him or her how we really feel about things? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could ask them, face to face, what they will do for working folks and how they will help us to support our families?

Did you know that the job of the people in the UAW Community Action Program (CAP) Councils is to do just that?

UAW CAP Councils are comprised of International UAW staff, UAW retirees, and elected officers and members from UAW Local unions in each state.

The CAP council screens, questions, and assesses candidates as well as incumbent voting records on issues that impact working people in general and UAW members in particular.
So why should I vote for UAW endorsed candidates?

It’s because people that we know and trust have sat down and given candidates a fair, one-on-one assessment.

Voting is a personal decision and we all have an absolute right to make up our own minds. But consider the sources of information that your decision is based upon.
Only then can you make your own informed decision on who is the best candidate and who will do the most for you, your family and your community.

Chip Slaughter, chairman
Georgia State CAP Council