damn it

[tapermaker]

I am a small business owner who lives in McMinnville Oregon. my business is run from my home.I live in a farly nice mobile home park with a fenced yard for the dogs and a shop for my split bamboo rod production. I make enough to live on on my own but I have allowed my sister and my best friend from childhood to live in the 2 extra bedrooms.Both ladies are on social security disability and get food stamps as well. I don't charge either of them rent to live. My sister is a former drug addict that needs methadone treatments regularly and makes 700.00 a month from ss and 188.00 in food stamps. My friend has a brain trouble that effects her balance she gets 478.00 a month on ss and 120.00 mo in food stamps.
I just allowed my friend to use my car to go to the doctors. Upon her return she tells me not to send in her ballot with my own as she is not voting. I asked her why not in a perturbed voice. She said she doesn't vote I asked my sister why she hadn't received her ballot . she tells me she never has voted. Lets just say I find this extremely distressing and let loose with a diatribe listing both of them as reasons this country is as fucked up as it is. Now no ones talking to me. If those that are most helped by government refuse to support Dems what hope is there that we keep what little social net there is now? Damn it!!!!

[Awknid]

1. I'm sure it's heartbreaking

To find out these people are not who you thought they are, but you absolutely have to respect their opinion. Obviously they are wrong in yours and mine eyes. I too would try to persuade them, but you must realize they have their reasons. Be glad they are in your life and try to be the bigger person.

[Louisiana1976]

2. I agree--people who don't vote, especially when they benefit from the social safety net, are the

reason this country is fucked up. And there's no excuse for not voting, especially when you have the conveniience of being able to mail your ballot in. It's sad because I don't know how you can persuade them to vote.

[MrNJ]

3. I have friends like that

meaning refusing to register to vote.

So annoying.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. My biggest problem is not their non-voting; it's that these are likely the same folk

who will constantly complain about how government fails them. And what gets me is that they'll blame Democrats or lump both Democrats and Republicans together.

Actually, I find that folks use the "both parties are the same" excuse to justify their non-voting behavior.

As a political scientist, nothing irritates me more.

[BlueDemKev]

5. Amen!!

[freshwest]

9. The way I see it, Democrats have worked so hard to keep these programs in effect, they don't have

time to sell their efficacy to the public. They work on making sure it continues. People have taken the ones who have worked to keep things going for granted. After a while, these people are going to retire and there may not be anyone to put up with a fickle, disengaged public.

If Democrats say that it's in danger, they blame them for scaring them and getting upset. They think these things are written in stone. They will not realize it until it is too late for them and a lot of others who do know it but will lose as well.

It's nauseating and frightening. No, it's infuriating, knowing that other people are going to suffer from their apathy.

[Blue Idaho]

6. Very frustrating...

First, I think it's great that you can find it in your heart to provide a safe place for them to live. Second, it's also fortunate that they can depend on the social safety net to provide for their basic health and nutrition needs.

It's unfortunate they feel so disenfranchised and disconnected from the government they depend on. Frankly, we shouldn't be surprised I guess - the system and the one percenters that call the shots have worked long and hard to make sure few Americans bother to take the time to participate in our democracy. Worse yet - the fat cats have done everything in their power to make each citizen believe that even if they did vote - it wouldn't make a difference.

Personally, I wish everyone voted - and its hard for me to accept any excuse for why folks don't. You're right to share your frustration with them but don't give up hope... You still have a little while left to change their minds.

BTW - hats off to you for creating classic rods - nothing sweeter than casting a well made split cane stick!

[mopinko]

7. i have a roommate

and old high school friend, handicapped, who needed a place to stay. she failed to bring her glasses with her when the 2 of us had to go to the dmv about a car title. i had an appointment downtown, and presumed she was going to update her dl so that she could vote. she didnt bring her glasses.
i explained to her, as mother superior, from our high school days, that i was going to renegotiate her lease if she didnt vote. she had already failed to get an online application to reregister w the new addy.
i told her she was gonna have to discover the joys of chicago's transit system to go downtown and register and vote during grace period voting.
she went to her sister's the following weekend, and early voted there.

good thing we have an awesome county clerk, and a sane blue state. she had a lot of options to get it straight.

i would stick to my guns if i were you. live in my house, and you darn well better vote.
it aint a lot to ask.

[world wide wally]

8. Make sure you let her know that Republicans spend a lot of money trying to keep people from voting