‘Unhoused’ have voting rights, too
Ken Leslie wrote this week’s “Saturday Essay” in the Blade, I hope all of you read it in it’s entirety, here are a few of my favorite parts:
Every political party believes you are making an uninformed, ignorant decision if you vote for the opponent. With this standard, we all demonstrate our ignorance every election.
1Matters.org and Tent City have helped people with and without housing to register to vote since the start in 1990. But for some reason, our work this year is “news.”
I blame both political campaigns, as our mission fits the “story lines” at the local level. Our unhoused friends found themselves used by both parties, equally. Democrats mistakenly believe unhoused people are either “pro-Barack Obama,” or can be swayed or influenced in that direction.Republicans mistakenly believe the unhoused are illegal voters shipped in from wherever to vote “pro-Obama” or at least ignorant enough to be influenced in that direction.
I believe the ignorant ones are the ones who believe the unhoused are so ignorant. Both campaigns should be ashamed.
While most of you who are regular readers know about Tent City, for those that may not, please visit 1Matters to find out more and to volunteer if you are interested.
There are still some volunteer slots open, but they are filling up quickly so if you want to volunteer? Now would be the time. I also still need a few more people who are knowledgeable about the voting process to volunteer to be at the early voting location on Saturday and Sunday to be advocates for anyone who experiences any problems/concerns.
So far, none of the campaigns invited to the candidate forum on Friday night, October 31st, have provided a final confirmation, representatives from the Obama, McCain, McKinney, Nader, Barr and Baldwin campaign have all received invitations and follow up reminders. The Obama campaign and the McCain campaign also received the information forwarded to the local campaign offices. The only campaign that has formally responded was the Nader campaign.
The only local candidate who has expressed an interest to come that evening to hand out material and to be available for those interested in learning more about her campaign is Carolyn Eyre.
As Ken also wrote today:
So, candidates, like any constituency, if you want the votes of the hundreds of local unhoused, undecided voters, and the votes of hundreds of Tent City volunteers, come tell us what you will do to create affordable housing. Prove that one person, every person, matters.
Updated: The first campaign to formally confirm they will have a candidate representative at Tent City’s Presidential campaign forum is the Nader campaign. More information to follow.
i think everyone who is involvrd with tent city is doing a wonderful job …….keep up the outstanding job you too lisa
October 25th, 2008 at 10:54 amI deleted your comment el Mahico, if you want to come back and do it like a decent person, feel free, otherwise? Don’t.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:05 pmVoter Registration
Alleged voter registration fraud is once again a main topic during this election cycle. This will be an issue during each and every closely contested race for as long as there are no changes in how people in this country vote and how they register.
There is no place in this country for third party organizations to do voter registration. This is the main vehicle that is used and that leads to fraudulent voter registration and possible voter fraud. Anybody that is concerned enough about how and by whom this country is run will register to vote. Why should third party organizations have to go out to get you to register and to end in a mail-in vote if you are too apathetic to do so on your own? These people are most probably too ignorant or ill informed to know what the issues are all about and will vote according to what they hear from these third party organizations. In my opinion if you do not know what you are voting for, either inform yourself or stay away.
I can already hear the masses screaming about disenfranchisement and voter suppression but if that is really the case then these so-called suppressed voters can fill out a voter registration form when they go to collect their Social Security and/or unemployment checks. Or should the government just include a voter registration form to send in with your tax returns?
A further requirement should be that every person that cast a ballot should be required to show a valid photo ID. The United States is in my knowledge the only country in the world that does not require some sort of government issued photo ID to be able to vote. In some Third World and war torn countries he governments go so far as to mark people’s hands with ink to prevent them from voting twice.
Again we can hear in the background the murmurs about discrimination, voter suppression and disenfranchisement but in this country you need to show ID when you want to enter some clubs and establishments that serves alcohol, you need to have a valid government photo ID to fly between cities, you even have to show photo ID when asked to do so when buying cigarettes or beer at the gas station or convenience store. I have yet to hear anybody complain about discrimination or disenfranchisement when they are required to show a valid photo ID in those circumstances. Once again if you are serious about having a say in how your country is run then you will be serious enough to get yourself a valid photo ID whether it is in the form of a state ID or a driver’s license.
Let us do ourselves and our country a favor and be proponents to eradicate or at least radically reduce the possibility of voter registration and voter fraud. Stop by the Post Office and fill out a voter registration form and have a valid photo ID when you go to the polls to vote.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:27 pmMake sure you haff zee papers. Anyone vissout zee papers vill be zubject to summary arrest and deportation, jawohl?
It’s all about zee papers. There should be more papers for everyzing, jawohl?
October 26th, 2008 at 8:34 amHendrick, what appeared today in the Letter to the Editor’s section:
Homeless deserve right to cast vote
As the leader of Cherry Street Mission Ministries, I read with dismay the reports of negative reaction to the fact that the homeless can vote. I’ve also received calls from folks who have read these reports and believe Cherry Street is participating in partisan practices or attempting to “get-out-the vote” for a specific candidate. I’m writing to set the record straight.
First, allegations that we attempt to get out the vote or influence homeless people’s votes are completely false and without merit. Cherry Street Mission Ministries believes that all citizens — no matter race, creed, color, gender, or religion — have fundamental rights as Americans, among them the right to vote. That is why we provide transportation to a polling station when guests request it: so they can exercise their right to vote — period.
Second, to suggest that citizens be denied the right to vote because they’re identified by the adjective “homeless” is as reprehensible as attempts in our nation’s past to disenfranchise those identified as “black” or “female.” Homeless men and women come from every walk of life and every educational level. Like you and me, they read newspapers, watch TV, and form opinions of candidates and issues. Like you and me, they have the right to vote based on their opinions.
For 61 years, Cherry Street Mission has been a refuge for men and women who have nowhere else to go. We’ve helped thousands transform their lives and return to their families and communities to build new lives. Today, we’re working harder than ever to serve a record 650 meals each day and shelter a record 200 men and women each night. There is no room for political advocacy at Cherry Street.
The Rev. Dan Rogers
October 26th, 2008 at 9:20 amPresident and CEOCherry Street Mission Ministries
GOOD JOB LISA…EVERY PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE
October 26th, 2008 at 10:21 pmhow come friedman gets to raise his voice and i don’t ?????
see #2.
i accidently had my ‘caps lock’ turned on and a complimentary comment was deleted. ?????????????????????????????
censorship at it’s finest.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:32 amBecause you can type with more than one hand and your comment was done in a manner that was a poke at him. If you have a stroke or some other condition where you have to either type in caps or all in lower case, I’d do the same for you if someone mocked you.
Seriously though, do you ever stop trying to make it all about you?
AND…you edited that comment that was removed three times, so I find it hard to buy you “accidently” left your caps on.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:49 amIf you’d like to see censorship at it’s finest since we’ve already established this is not a “free speech zone”? I’d be more than happy to oblige you.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:52 amTHANKS LISA…SOME PEOPLE JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT A STROKE CAN DO TO THE BODY
MR EL MOCICO, I AM WHAT THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY CALLS LEFT SIDE ANSENT, I TOOK MT STROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BRAIN AND IT EFFECTED MY LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY, CANT USE MY LEFT HAND AND AM FINELY WALKING WITH THE HELP OF A HEMMY WALKER. PEOPLE LIKE SEN TIM JOHNSON OF SOUTH DAKOTA AND MYSELF ARE FIGHTERS.I HAVE MISSED ONLY ONE MEETING DOWNSTATE ON THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, AND THAT WAS THE DAY OF MY STROKE, JUN 21ST, AND HAVE ATTENDED ALL OF MY COUNTY EXECUTIVE MEETINGS. POLITICS IS NOT A GAME WITH ME IT IS A PASSION AN A CONTACT SPORT, DESTROY AND MAIM THE CONSERVATIVES AND DESTROY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:16 amLISA, SHERRYL IS CLEANING UP THE PANTRY IN THE KITCHEN 7 I WILL LET YOU KNOW AND MAYBE SOME OF THE FOLKS AT TENT CITY CAN USE THESE ITEMS. IF THAT IS OK I WILL SPREAD THE WORD IN OUR CONDO COMMUNITY… LET ME KNOW… IT WILL ALL BE CANNED GOODS
October 29th, 2008 at 12:21 amMichael,
Destroying and maiming conservatives is probably your best option since you really have no solutions to offer.
Something else besides a stroke is really screwing with your brain. You’re as intolerant and prone to bouts of irrationality like that Coon guy that got away with attacking a Blade columnist. You’re not going to show up at my house and “maim” me because I am a conservative, are you?
October 29th, 2008 at 1:36 amDon’t worry Brian, freidman can’t crawl, and certainly can’t walk. He is helpless and has a nurse maid. And besides, he is an old man. He couldn’t “maim” a flea.
October 29th, 2008 at 6:51 amSargeant Swartzeee –
If I were you I would be more concerned with the AMA charging you with impersonatiing a doctor. Who are you to tell Mr. Friedman what is his medical condition ?
Oh, yeah – the republican that knows what’s best for everyone. Horse do-do.
P.S. Mike – sorry to hear about your condition. I did not know.
Try not to let know-it-alls like Schwartz rock your boat.
Get well soon !
October 29th, 2008 at 9:24 amNot again, Michael can walk with a cane/walker, he spent weeks in rehabilitation fighting to get back as much physical ability as possible, which was not easy. I’m not going to attempt to excuse his at times overly partisan feelings, that existed in him prior to the stroke.
Michael, the Food Bank really needs donations as well as several of the churches that are in the Feed Your Neighbor Program, so anything that you or your neighbors donate that you collect, I’ll make sure it goes where it can help the most. Those at Tent City’s immediate needs are warm winter clothing, including coats, hats and gloves.
To all of you…Basic civil respect of each other on my blog is not a polite request. It’s a demand.
October 29th, 2008 at 9:51 amthanks. my wife is a compulsive buyer, so glade to find it a home
with bush in office things are sure bad, just like herbert hoovers time
money to spend on a stupid meaningless war an=d no fool for the needy, and the hell with our returning vets, go to hell george bush
October 31st, 2008 at 12:36 am83 more days and the national nightmare is over