This is something you can and should do

• Author: Ezra Friedlander
• Published date: 26 May 2021
• Date: 26 May 2021
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

Perhaps anger is an understatement, perhaps there is another word that better describes your angst, frustration, or desperation in response to how the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is playing out on the streets of our city in the ugliest way possible.

Regardless of the resulting emotion, the reactionary response is the same: blame.

Immediately after digesting the incidents we start pointing fingers at a host of different characters: the governor, the mayor, mayoral candidates, the Askonim, spokespeople for the community -- truly a circular firing squad. The nature of this reaction is not for me to comment on further. Responding to or discussing the level of acrimonious and verbal tirades is not what will resolve the problem.

So, you may ask what will? Very simple, voting. Yes voting! And I repeat again, voting. And before you vote don't forget to register to vote.

While the naysayers will here this and let out a dismissive sigh stating: "Oh here he comes again with voting." Yes, I am here again pleading with you to vote.

If you truly want to change policy, there is only one way to: voting. Unless all the couch-potatoes that rant and rave on the internet regarding the varied problems in our city will get up and take action into their own hands, the only alternative is to vote.

You don't like what you see as a lack of rule-of-law or the new bail rules then vote to change them. The more you are a naysayer and the more you don't want to participate in the system, the more you deserve the onus of the blame for these problems persisting.

Now, I've written about this many times and I don't want to have to say it again, but this is not partisan. You can vote Republican until you're blue (or red in this case) in the face. However, in New York City if you have no voice in the primary you have abdicated your voice.

Because here in New York City the determining factor for who wins the seat in January is who wins the primary in June. You do not have to vote for the Democrats in November, but if you do not feel the system serves you, it is incumbent upon you to vote in the Democratic Primary. Thus, if this community wants to be potent and powerful you must vote.

Next time there is an incident...