NYs Working Families Party: Vote your values, vote row H

NEW YORK – New York State’s Working Families Party (WFP) is one of the most active grassroots political parties in the state. Its members are also perhaps the most vigorous campaigners for the candidacy of H. Carl McCall, the first African American nominated for governor by a major party in the state’s history.

They oppose incumbent Gov. George Pataki and call for living wage jobs, job creation, better-funded public schools and universal health care. They want an extension of unemployment benefits, fair wages, safe workplaces and decent protections for unemployed, underemployed and injured workers.

On Nov. 5 McCall’s name will appear on Row H under the “WF” symbol, in addition to being on the Democratic Party line. By casting a vote for McCall on the Working Families line, New York voters can send an anti-racist message of political independence and at the same time support the candidate who has the best chance of defeating Republican Gov. George Pataki.

If McCall is elected, he will be the first African-American Governor of the nation’s largest state. His election will pressure both Republicans and Democrats on the issues.

Pataki, who was among the Republican goons in Florida in 2000, is a dedicated supporter of the ultra-right polices of President George W. Bush. He is using billions of dollars in state revenue to literally buy the support of some key labor unions and some Black and Latino officials.

Even though he is running as a “moderate,” if he is re-elected many New Yorkers expect Pataki to continue to be among the most solid national supporters of the Bush/Republican drive for war, repression, economic, racial and gender inequality. Many independent, voters are expected to vote row H because they know that Pataki is not good for working families.

The WFP, a multi-racial, labor and community-based statewide party, is aiming for 50,000 votes on Nov. 5 in order to maintain its standing as a statewide ballot status party. They are urging everyone to vote for McCall on row “H.”

Those who want to volunteer with the Working Families Party can call (718) 222-3796 or visit www.wfp.org

The author can be reached at jtyner@cpusa.org