Philadelphia 2035 (Chester, Washington, Franklin: apartment, construction, high school)

[WillRunForBeer]

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by WillRunForBeer

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Ha, I see what you did there...

An important point of clarity: No one is "coming for" any migrants. In fact, the term migrant means that they are in fact "coming to" the U.S. The U.S. in turn is forced to determine how best to feed, clothe and house said individuals. I certainly don't think separating children from their parents is ideal, but honestly, I don't know the situation or the overcrowding that currently exists. Pine to Vine might know as it seems he's probably been on location.

[WillRunForBeer]

Wasn't talking about migrants, or any specific group. The quote was in reference to this general attitude you expressed: "these issues simply do not raise to the level of concerns of issues that directly impact our immediate family and lives on a daily basis"

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by WillRunForBeer

Wasn't talking about migrants, or any specific group. The quote was in reference to this general attitude you expressed: "these issues simply do not raise to the level of concerns of issues that directly impact our immediate family and lives on a daily basis"

Got it. Well, unfortunately that's reality for most humans. Do you feel like this is an usual view for stressed out, uber-busy middle aged individuals? Assuming you're in a similar spot (busy, stressed, financially tight), may I inquire what you actually do to address the millions of injustices around the globe? I'm not being facetious, totally serious question...

[WillRunForBeer]

As is the case with you (and most people), I'm not in a position to go globe-trotting to champion causes, however I do vote. When deciding who to vote for I consider not only my specific situation but also what I see as the greater good from a bigger picture standpoint. Oftentimes my vote may not align with my short-term interests but I cast it anyway order to hopefully move closer to a better and more equitable society as a whole.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by WillRunForBeer

As is the case with you (and most people), I'm not in a position to go globe-trotting to champion causes, however I do vote. When deciding who to vote for I consider not only my specific situation but also what I see as the greater good from a bigger picture standpoint. Oftentimes my vote may not align with my short-term interests but I cast it anyway order to hopefully move closer to a better and more equitable society as a whole.

Right, so we both take the same approach. I didn't mean to imply that injustices don't weigh on me and that I don't vote accordingly or take action a when possible. Just saying that life gets in the way of altruistic ventures for most people...

Anyway, this is WAY off topic, so going to drop it.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

Well, your passion to the plight of children of illegal migrants is obvious, so I have no doubt you've sacrificed much to help these folks. I'm sure you've made the trip to the border to protest and I have no doubt you have donated thousands of dollars to the cause. I haven't had the time to make the trip in person as I'm sure you've done multiple times now.

Unfortunately, while most of my peers and I are pro same sex marriage, pro choice, against humanitarian abuse, these issues simply do not raise to the level of concerns of issues that directly impact our immediate family and lives on a daily basis. You can discount this fact or accept it. I personally don't care, but it is a fact. Oh, and I never asked for you or anyone else to care about my personal problems. I certainly don't care about your personal problems. I was simply explaining why my peer group has a low voting percentage.

I have volunteered most of my life. While working full-time, I volunteered for Special Olympics, at a charity hospital, at an AIDS hospice, and on various improvement projects in underserved communities. I served on two non-profit boards. Since retirement, I volunteer with physically disabled people and donate to civil rights organizations, lgbt causes, a facility that supports disabled people, conservation organizations and Red Cross disaster relief efforts. I have voted in every election for candidates whose values most closely match mine and donated money to a handful of those candidates. Some won. Some didn’t.

But no, even though I’ve invested time and money to help people with problems greater than mine, I have not driven to the border to advocate for the rights of incarcerated migrant children. At least so far. What I have done was vote for candidates who pledged their intent to dismantle this system in 2018 and I will do the same in 2020. And when we look back on this period 10 years from now, I can stand behind that vote, rather than tell people I abstained from voting because I was apathetic to the problem since it didn’t affect me.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

No, I grasped his POV, and I understand that you're coming from an "attacked minority" mindset. In fact I stated as much in my post. I'm not exactly sure what your POV has to do with my POV (when I stated they were different POVs). Regardless, you are correct in that I'm not an "attacked minority," and neither are the vast majority of my peers that I reference in my posts. And while I realize injustices occur across the spectrum, no offense but, the concerns my peers and I have are not same sex marriage, illegal immigrant holding cells, etc... We're much more focused on making our mortgage payments, affording child care, trying to retain a dwindling social security program and potentially hoping to retire before we're 90 years old. We're coming from an average middle class POV and want representation as such. We haven't gotten it for years. In fact, we don't even get the option on the ballots. I wish you luck in representing and mobilizing your peer group, but that has little to do with my peer group which is a much much much larger segment of the population and more or less ignored. Thus the feeling of futility when voting.

I have bills to pay too. I care deeply about the middle class and what it means to actually stay there. What a ridiculous idea that you believe I don't. I also care deeply about your generation and the one after yours and the babies being born right now. The recession that is coming will be devastating. Maybe worse than the last one. It scares the crap out of me. So, yeah, go ahead and think because I'm old that I don't care.

The reason you are getting ignored, btw, is because not enough of you vote. Older adults vote. They/ we get attention because they/we do.

Interestingly enough at least one of the
Dem prez candidates, that might make it to the NH primary in 2020, will have turned 38 by then. Luckily he has not given up like it seems you have.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Pret A Manger is expanding into Center City.

https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate...-20190729.html

There's one in 30th St Station which I just noticed.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

For the record, most of my peer group (including myself), couldn't care less about being ignored. What we care about is exploitation without representation. We shoulder tax cuts for the 1% while simultaneously providing financial support for entire "families" on the far left; and soon we'll be responsible, to some degree, for supporting the Boomer generation as this demographic retires and needs more support. If we were left alone and not forced to financially support everyone's political agenda, we'd be thrilled.

Regarding the second section I highlighted above, while aligned agendas would make life easier, the reality is that each group has very different hot-button issues and they won't overlap all that much. And unfortunately, there simply isn't enough funding to go around. My preferred solution is to lop off the extremes on both sides and support the middle more robustly which will ultimately help everyone.

Regardless, my initial posting was in response to why my generation/peer group doesn't vote as religiously as other demographics. My response has been, and continues to be, nothing changes for us and we get screwed every which way. It doesn't matter all that much who is in office for my group.

Except for the top 1%, everyone is getting screwed.