Editor,
Guyanese-Americans as well as others will be going to the polls, in the U.S., on November 5th. Like all other voters, they have a tremendous patriotic duty in addition to a civic one. This demographic has an exceptional responsibility to protect the country they now call home from the certain misfortune of the Guyana they fled. I remind them that Jamaicans are still fleeing, in large numbers, that collapsing state. And Trinidadians are no different as they scramble to escape what has become a house under fire. Guyanese can only empathize.
This public appeal is primarily directed for the interest of Guyanese-American voters living in Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia. As is well known, New York State is a Democrat stronghold especially downstate where voters in New York City vote overwhelmingly for that Party. Of course, the deplorable state of NYC may give voters there some pause. If they want a view of how the United States will look after four years under a Kamala Harris Administration, they can look no further than the deplorable state of NYC under an indicted Eric Adams. Peas in a pod!
Generally, voters in these swing states will prudently vote on pocket-book issues as well. Do they want to pay more taxes under a Harris Admin.? Do they wish to see their neighbourhoods and communities overrun by criminals as they witness in the urban Democrat centres? Today, many Guyanese-American homes find it extremely difficult to make ends meet because of overpriced groceries, gas and insurance? With a Harris presidency, they would not be able to achieve homeownership, an achievement all prize. For those still renting, keeping a roof over their heads would be increasingly burdensome.
Specifically, Guyanese-Americans do not share the same social values as Kamala Harris. They are conservative, holding deeply traditional family values. Further, there are other personal considerations that are extremely important to this significant cohort of voters. For example, women’s reproductive rights are critical for the Guyanese-American community and no doubt is immigration. On women’s health and specifically on abortion, President Trump is unable to overturn established legal precedents. That will depend on the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s Congress that can expand or restrict individual liberties. And it cannot be done without overcoming very high scrutiny by judicial review.
Indeed, I am cognizant of the real fear amongst many immigrant communities especially the Guyanese-American community over President Trump’s threats of ‘mass deportation.’ Again any attempt to execute mass deportation would be legally and logistically impossible. Neither the Court nor Congress would permit such Executive overreach.
More closer to home, Guyanese-Americans would be well served to recall the political attacks of Democratic Representative, Hakeem Jeffries against Guyana. He is one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress and an enabler of Kamala Harris and Eric Adams.
As such, their down-ballot vote is equally important because this Presidential election is a very close race with the celebrity Harris being the favourite. So I am appealing to Guyanese-American voters in Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia, three very important states to winning the White House. Hence, their down-ballot vote is just as critical to their interests as their vote for a presidential candidate. Should Harris win, a Republican House and Senate will curb her extreme political agenda. Editor, it is worth repeating that the White House may be lost in November. However, a majority Republican Congress will mitigate the destruction a Harris presidency will likely wreak on the country.
In closing, Guyanese-American voters in Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia, going to the polls in November, will remember that it was the Trump Administration that protected democracy in Guyana when it mattered. I therefore urge these voters to vote wisely for the country they call home and for the home-country they still love.
Sincerely,
Fuad Rahaman