Groups helping homeless register (Minn. Star-Trib.)

[wildflower]

Groups helping homeless register

Ed Shramek hasn't voted in a dozen years. When he had a decent job, he had little interest in politics. But since he lost his job on an assembly line six months ago and started living in a "cubbyhole" under a bridge, he lost his apathy as well.

"And as long as I was gainfully employed, it didn't really matter to me who was president," Shramek, 42, said Monday. "But now that I'm homeless, I think it's important to weigh in on all that's going on in the world."

snip

Several community groups have launched a massive drive to boost the number of homeless voters. They hope the effort will make the electorate more reflective of society so politicians will become more responsive to and concerned about poor and working-class people.

According to 2000 U.S. Census figures, only about one-third of people making $25,000 or less voted nationally, while more than 60 percent of those earning $75,000 or more cast ballots.

more

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5027720.html

[Ranec]

1. Yes!

The key to this election is for all the Americans who have been hurt by Bush's policies to raise their heads up for a minute and realize there is something we can do about it.

The fact is that there are more people like Shramek than Ken Lay, but the current government policies don't give them the luxury to think much about politics.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. only about one-third of people making $25,000 or less voted nationally

that's proof alone that we have an education problem in this country.

[Polemonium]

5. or that elections should not be held on a work / school day n/t

:shrug:

[Zorra]

3. And I doubt there will be any "Homeless for Bu$h" organizations

springing up.

[Polemonium]

4. Something tells me these folks don't get polled either

Let's just make sure we get them to the polls.

[GinaMaria]

6. This is a group that has been discriminated against

in the past as far as voting goes. It used to be if you didn't have an address then you could not register to vote. Glad that has changed.

[Ranec]

7. Republicans still claim that this is so

One of the talk show hosts was saying that homeless people can't vote earlier this year.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

8. Absolutely

They, more than anyone, need to have their voices heard.