Just had a call that made my day. It was otherwise a pretty shitty day. @Brisketexan I think will appreciate this with the work he has done with immigrants.
My interpreter from Afghanistan called. He is now a US Citizen (last year) and doing well. Bought a house, wife is about to get her associates, he owns his own long haul truck. Dude knows this country better than most born here.
He calls me from Montana. "Boss, do I have to vote? I mean, will the arrest me? Do I get fined? Everyone is telling me who to vote for."
"Nope I tell him, but it is your right to do it and as a citizen you should exercise all your rights. You learned about them when you took the class, and to me, voting is the most important right. It is not the President vote only, it is the school district, the mayor, everything that impacts your community. And (insert name) I am not going to tell you who I am voting for. Nor who I think you should vote for. I know you listen to the radio on your long hauls, so this is your choice. What matters to you."
"Before I can answer he says his wife finishing her education. She wants to be a teacher. But she is afraid to go vote. She sees the media portraying it for some free for all."
"Not at all I tell him. It is your community. It is an experience. It is part of our nation. You should experience it."
"OK, well I will not be back until late Monday," he says.
"No problem, take Tuesday off, and make a day out of it the two of you. And if you are unsure where to go let me know, I will drive down to San Antonio, figure out your voting location, and take you both. It would be an honor to see that happen."
"Deal. Did your kids vote?" he asks.
"Yep, and I did not ask them who for. I am just glad they voted and care. In fact I don't talk about politics with my father, and we both voted."
I look forward to Monday. If he needs me to take him I will be happy to do so.
It would have been easy to tell him what I think, what he shoudl do, etc. But no, that is on him. I suggested he and his wife look at the League of Woman Voters for a start into their local candidates. These two only know the chaos of a vote in Afghanistan. It will be interesting to see what they think and I am so happy he trusted me.
Hook em.