Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-09-19
Behind the
Scenes In
Politics
By
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman


Political Action COMMITTED
If anyone of us were stopped
on the street and asked if we
would rather live in some
other country, most of us
would say no.
There are many reasons
why most Americans are proud
of our nation, but ranking high
among the list of treasures
which are the common heri-
tage of most American citizens,
is the right to vote.
The right to vote is the very
essence of democracy. True,
oftentimes scoundrels fool the
people, and get elected to pub
lie office. Yet the people get
the opportunity to correct such
situations each election day.
Here in the United States of
America the people have the
constitutional right to select
the persons who direct the
government.
The right to self-government
(through elected representa-
tives) is a very sacred princi-
pie to the American people. 1t
has been a contributing factor
in every major war in which
our nation has participated.
Little by little since the
founding of our nation the
franchise has been extended
until now we have an almost
universal suffrage in the
United States.
Much blood has been spilled
in gaining the right to vote.
Not only blood but sweat and
tears as well.
There is good reason why so
many sacrifices have been
made to retain the right to
vote.
USE OF VOTE
Through intelligent use of
the right to vote it is possible
to remove the causes of war;
assure full employment; pro-
vide adequate social security
safeguards; assure economic
opportunity and guarantee
political liberty to all.
Through intelligent political
action we can be sure of secur-
ing adequate roads, highways,
public buildings, parks, schools.
hospitals, Libraries and every
thing necessary to provide for
the economic and cultural well
being of the people.
On the other hand failure to
exercise the right to vote, will
quite n aturally cause us
to lose all the things that we
have gained both through for
mer effective political action,
and union organizations.
Continued failure on the part
of the workers and plain people
to assert themselves through
the ballot will definitely result
in the loss of the right to vote.
II such a calamity does hap
pen land we are certainly
headed in that direction) only
an armed insurrection will ever
be able to restore democracy.
Not have we any assurance
that democracy would be re-
stored even if a particular
group in power at given time
were forcibly repudiated.
Yet these basic truths are
not recognized to the extent
that they must be If civilization
is TO be saved from destruction.
World renowned scientists
have assured us that in all
probability civilization could
not survive another global war.
This fact is too we'll known to
be worth disputing.
INDIFFERENCE
Nor is there much disagree
ment about the fact that the
surest way to guarantee an.
other global war is for the
plain people to adopt an indif-
ferent attitude toward world
affairs.
Our very livelihood is di-
rectly affected by the national
and state legislatures and ad-
ministrations.
Never was there time
when the right to vote was
more important.
Yet the records show that a
large percentage Of our people
are not registered. We may as
we'll accept the fact we will
not have the answer to the
Taft.Hartley Act until we sue
ceed in convincing Johnny