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One by One [1]

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Date: 2022-08-27

Trying to make some new ideas bloom...

I work with a team of people who provide a niche business service. We’ve been fully remote since the start of the pandemic, linked up and working from home. I get along well with all my coworkers and have missed seeing them in person, but we’ve all adjusted to collaborating and chatting over Webex Teams.

Yesterday, during a lull in work, I had a Webex conversation with one of my younger colleagues. She and her fiancé are 30-ish and college-educated; I’ll call them Mary and John (he works in IT). They were very fortunate to be able to buy a home last year, after saving money by living in his parents’ basement for four years. They work hard to pay their mortgage and other obligations. I asked Mary if they would be positively affected by student debt relief, and she said they thought so but weren’t sure, as they don’t follow the news much. I told her that they probably were, and advised her to talk to the lender to make sure everything was squared away.

We got into a discussion of how her generation is having a tough time financially because of high costs and salaries that don’t keep pace. Mary and John have been trying to save for a wedding and eventual children, but it’s been very tight. I advised her to fight back at the ballot box and vote blue, because we need to keep Congress in Democratic hands in order to accomplish more for regular people. Not least, to keep government out of their decisions about starting a family.

Mary admitted that she wasn’t sure about her voter registration status, and asked when the next election was.

*@#$%X&!!! And this is a bright, educated, moderate-to-liberal young woman! Good thing we were chatting over Webex and not verbally.

After I calmed down, I suggested that she and John visit the County Board of Elections website to check their status and address. I sent her the link, and she said they will. I reminded Mary that they now have serious stakes in the game. Votes this year can really make a difference in the quality of the life they are able to build together.

I left a comment on this conversation on the GNR earlier today, and a number of Kossacks suggested I write it up, so here I am. Pr0gressivist mentioned that isidewith.com had helped spark a neighbor’s interest in voting and following political issue. I think I will suggest that to Mary next week. I don’t want to overwhelm her with information – we are supposed to be working during the day, after all, and she’s got a lot happening in other parts of her life – so I’ll take it slowly. I’m also open to other suggestions for gentle voter education. Fingers crossed, I may have hooked another voter for us, possibly two.

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