In years past I have not been all that into the political process. It was all a big joke to me, it seemed a way to herd Americans to designated polling places just to hear later their vote didn't even count. Democracy at its best. Needless to say I was cynical about the democratic process and to be honest, I still harbor a bit of that today.
But this election is different for me. I have two kids to feed, clothe, educate, and keep healthy in an economy that is making that harder to do every day. My sister, a single mom, said her second job should help her afford to buy herself and her son healthier groceries. Why is that okay in a country that has so unbelievably much? The rich are content with their riches and the poor just need to pull themselves up, with their kids in tow, using the thin thread provided them. Are we okay with that?
I've been poor, and my definition of poor may differ from that of the United States government, but to me I was poor when I had to use government programs to provide for my daughter. Babe and I had food stamps, Medicaid, child care assistance, and WIC so we could give our daughter the absolute best chance when he was finishing college and I worked part-time. We didn't use the programs for long, but some parents have to, especially single parents. I don't look down my nose at these parents, I know just what they are going through.
Babe has provided a comfortable living for us. I have been home raising the kids for nearly five years consecutively now, and I was home Jay's first year. Some times things get tight, we buckle down and wait it out as best we can. But as a whole, we're fine. Our kids eat fresh fruit most days, they are never without a meal, and when we need something...NEED something...we are able to have it. And we thank God for it every night in our family prayer.
I think everyone in America should have what they need. Whether the government helps them or they are granted the ability to provide it for themselves, I believe people in the "richest country in the world" deserve to have every human need met. And if you have more, turn around and help someone else. My child doesn't deserve a better education than someone's who might need government help. I don't deserve a warm place to sleep at night any more than a man who may be struggling right now.
More and more when I make myself or my family a meal I realize just how much harder it is becoming for some Americans to just eat. I may have to curb my driving because of gas prices, but there are so many out there who have to get to work, from work, to the daycare center to get the kids, then on home. Just because I can make such a choice doesn't make it the "norm".
I don't know what November 4th has in store for us as a country, but I pray all the time about the state of our economy as it relates to people. Numbers and the stock market never interested me much, but I know there are those who were struggling before our economic downfall. Imagine how they are faring now.
Please get out and vote, and watch someone's kids so they can vote too!
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