<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:v = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:st1 = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><head><title>Albert Baldeo for City Council</title> <meta content="text/html; charset=unicode" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- img { border: none; } .tah10 { font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } .tah11 { font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } .ver10 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } .ver11 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } .tah9 { font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } .ver9 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none; color: #000000; } td { vertical-align: top; } --> </style> <style type="text/css"> <!-- .bgdown { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: bottom; } span.xcmaintext {} h2 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-autospace:none; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:normal; margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-top:0in} --> </style> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18852"></head> <body leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" bgcolor="#ffffff" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0"><!-- ImageReady Slices (0005_red.psd - Slices: 03, 04, 05) --> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" background=images/bg.gif bgColor=#ffffff align=center height="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000" background="images/bg.gif" rowspan="3" width="50%">&nbsp;</td> <td> <object codeBase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" classid=clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000 width=780 height=278><param name="_cx" value="20637"><param name="_cy" value="7355"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="flash/0488.swf"><param name="Src" value="flash/0488.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"> <embed src="flash/0488.swf" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="780" height="278"></embed></object></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" background="images/bg.gif" rowspan="3" width="50%">&nbsp;</td></tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="96%" align="center" height=996> <tbody> <tr> <td height="990" width="2">&nbsp; </td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" height="990"> <blockquote> <div align="left"> <div style="WIDTH: 687px; HEIGHT: 5139px"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></span> <div class="story_item_info"> <div class="story_item_date"><strong></strong></div></div> <h2><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><font size="2" face="Arial"> <div id="print-link-container">&nbsp;</div> <div id="print_content_container" class="full_story"> <div> <div class="even"> <div> <p class="story_item" align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 272px; HEIGHT: 231px" border=0 hspace=0 src="images/AJBThirdphoto.jpg" width=640 height=579></p> <div class="story_item"><b><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 14pt">THANKSGIVING REFLECTIONS-WE MUST LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM-BECOME </span></u></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 14pt">US</span></u></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> CITIZENS, VOTE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS BY ALBERT BALDEO, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div> <div class="story_item"> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><strong>As we celebrate Thanksgiving, signifying the arrival and assimilation into American society by generations of immigrants, we must remember that democracy is not a spectator sport. It is only through civic and political participation that each succeeding generation can leave a legacy for its successors. Becoming US Citizens levels the playing field. It removes the barriers an immigrant imposes upon himself, and raises the bar for his children to follow. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></h2> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><strong>We must remember that America is a "nation of immigrants," built by the blood, sweat and tears of immigrants who came to these shores to embrace a better life for their families, and live a dream which was impossible elsewhere. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>But we must also remember that many great people fought and died for the right to vote, and if we are to preserve the American Dream, then we must preserve the bedrock of our democracy-the right to vote.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></h2> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><strong><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Rights and benefits of US Citizenship</span></u><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></span></u></strong></h2> <ol type="1"> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the right to obtain a US Passport and receive assistance from U.S. Embassies and Consulates when traveling abroad. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the ability to sponsor family members, so they can obtain green cards and legally immigrate to the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">Children of </span><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens are automatically </span><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens by birth (in most cases, even if they are born outside the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">). <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have security from removal or deportation from the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the right to live or take long trips outside of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">US</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">, without worrying about compromising one's visa. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the right to vote and select their government. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the ability to apply for certain federal jobs, since citizenship is sometimes a requirement of employment positions. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have an unquestioned right to return to the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">, since citizens cannot be denied entry. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens have the right to apply for certain federal and state benefits. <o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> citizens do not need to renew a Green Card upon expiration. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ol> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></o:p></span></h2> <h2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><strong>Why should we participate in the Census and fill out the form?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></h2> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Every household in the country will receive a questionnaire in 2010. To ensure an accurate and fair count of all populations at all geographic levels in the nation, the Census Bureau needs you or someone in your household to respond to the census questionnaire.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It's important.</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&nbsp;- Census data affect funding for your community, your community's representation in Congress and your community leader's planning decisions.<o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It's easy.</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&nbsp;- The census questionnaire takes only a few minutes to answer and return by mail.<o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It's confidential.</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&nbsp;- Your responses are protected by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). All Census Bureau employees have taken an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, a fine&nbsp;- or both&nbsp;- for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It's required by law.</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&nbsp;- The information you provide is combined with responses provided by your neighbors and other households across the country, to provide summary statistical data that are used by various local, state and federal agencies. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><a name=moreinfo></a><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Why Census participation is important: </span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Census affects funding in your community</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> <br>Census data directly affect how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.<o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Census affects your voice in Congress </span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><br>Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures, which means that new Americans can take their proper seat at the table of government, and enjoy their just share in our tax dollars.<o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Census affects your representation in state and local government</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><br>Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government.<o:p></o:p></span> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Census informs your community's decisions </span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><br>The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><strong><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Editor's Note</span></u></strong><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">: Albert Baldeo is an Attorney at Law and Community Leader who strives to empower and uplift his community every day. <a href="http://www.albertbaldeo.com/"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">www.AlbertBaldeo.com</span></a>.</span></strong></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></span></strong>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></span></strong><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></span></strong>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><a href="http://www.thewestindiannews.com/thanksgiving-reflections-we-must-live-the-american-dream-become-us-citizens-vote-and-participate-in-the-census-by-albert-baldeo-community-advocate/">LINK:<o:p></o:p></a></span></strong></p></div></div></div></div></div></font></span></h2></span></span></div></div></blockquote></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" height="990" width="100%"> <div align="left"></div></td> <td height="990" width="238">&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr> <td height="100%"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="780" height="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td height="63" background="images/bg_down.gif" width="780"> <div style="WIDTH: 780px; HEIGHT: 40px; PADDING-TOP: 13px" class=tah11 align=center><strong>&nbsp; <font style="COLOR: #bc8282">AlbertBaldeo.Com © 2005</font> </strong></div></td></tr> <tr> <td height="100%" width=780>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></body></html>