OUTRAGE AND APATHY

You would think that there is outrage throughout America. Since there is plenty to be seen on many of these lists, but I just do not see it in everyday life. Thanks by and large to our media for that, and people's apathy.

Today, I was going around with Independent petitions where that line has endorsed our Democratic candidates. The reason why we Democrats carry these petitions for them is that we have a larger volunteer force to get these petitions signed, and out of gratitude we are doing so for them. Even after completing ours this past June.

I came upon one home and asked the lady sitting outside if she was a registered voter in the Town of Brookhaven, she said yes. I also asked her if she had signed any other petition and she said no. I kindly asked her to sign mine stating the fact that our candidates were cross endorsed, and she said, "I can't be bothered signing petitions."

As angry as that made me feel, I had to just say thanks, and I walked away. I felt like stating to her, the next time she gets her tax bill, to thank the Republicans for doing that to her. Since our local offices are held predominantly by Republicans. It is my hope and the hope and hard work of others within my organization, that we can change this.

I also met up with other people who just could not be bothered signing petitions. Meanwhile, they would most likely be the ones to gripe as to what is going on. Well in my book, they deserve what they get.

I really hate sounding callous, but it does anger me when they cannot be bothered. After all, it is just their government, their taxes, their mortgages, their rent, their health care, their jobs and so many other issues too nameless to mention here. Their apathy is like a cancer, and one that someday I hope will be excised.

"Give that to me and I will sign it."

The highlight of my day was when I went into a deli to cool off since it was brutally hot and I needed something to drink. A man buying ice asked me what I was doing when he saw me put my clipboard down. I told him, and he said, "Give that to me and I will sign it."

I asked if he was a registered voter in Brookhaven Town. He said yes, I asked if he signed any other petition and he said no. He said he was a registered Democrat "and that he is sick and tired of what was going on within our country." He said, "Sure Clinton made one little lie, but I would give anything to have him back." He then put that bag of ice on my forehead to help cool me down. I really did appreciate that kind gesture.

But, if I ever run up against anyone that complains about what is going on, I will ask him or her if they vote, and if they bother signing petitions when committee members come around. If they say no, I will say, "Well you have the power to vote, and the power to sign petitions to get better government into your hands

As you see, there were some reasons for me to come home feeling defeated, especially since I only obtained four signatures out of the twenty required. I could have wallowed in self-pity, but that is not why I signed on to help. I signed on to help make a difference. I was not going to let those detractors discourage me from accomplishing my service to my party.

It was then I went out again tonight to collect more signatures, and tonight was a very different experience. I was able to collect twelve more signatures, but with those signatures came two stories that I have to share with you the reader.

In my walk, I came upon a home of someone that I used to work with at a local pizza parlor. He is no longer there, but serving our country in the Army. I had a great talk with his mother who signed these petitions and she remarked, "While everyone tells me the war is over, it is not. Not by a long shot."

Tears for the Troops

I asked her how she felt about Bush's remarks of "Bring 'em on!" and she was very upset. Tears were not only coming from her eyes, but mine as well. I stated as much as I am against this war, I do support our troops and she was very appreciative. She too felt we have no business being there.

I asked her if the next time her son Joe calls home to tell him I said hello and thank you. In her outward grief, she then turned to me and said one of the most remarkable things and something that gave me immense energy. She said, "Thank you, Mary for what you are doing." You could have knocked me over with a feather when she said that.

It was on to the next home, where I talked to a very interesting man. I asked him if he was a registered voter and if he had signed any petitions, and his answer was, "No, I am not allowed to vote." The reason is he is an ex-felon. I did not want to ask him the specifics, but I did remark to him, "That is simply not right or fair since you are living here, paying taxes and contributing to society."

All he could do was shake his head yes. But left me wondering, if we are expecting these ex-felons to contribute to society, pay taxes, then why not give them their vote back? If they are not allowed to vote, yet pay taxes, isn't that taxation without representation? This is a topic I plan on bringing up with my elected leaders and those candidates running.

These two stories plus others putting me to task gave me the energy, the resilience and the fortitude to collect twelve more signatures tonight. With four more signatures to go, my task will be accomplished.

In politics and service to one's party, there will be pluses and minuses. I choose to concentrate on the pluses in order to help get good government back into the people's hands.

"Ask not what your country can do for you,
but what you can do for your country."

-- President John Fitzgerald Kennedy