Emily and the Political Process

[Jackie]

I made a post this morning to the Teens and Adults with DS site and thought I would share it with you all....

I dont intend this to be a political endorsement or start a discussion of a heated topic....just think it is interesting...and certainly disproves the hated myth of..."perpetual children".....(someone was looking for examples disproving this...was it on this site??? Senior moment...cant remember)



Ok...Emily's vote is really important to her.

She followed all the rules and sent off for her absentee ballot. But her ballot never came. I called the county and complained (remember this is Texas not Fla...LOL) ..and was assured it was sent to HER in Seabrook.

I think I told you all that two days ago it appeared to me in MY mailbox. I called and complained and the County Clerk herself offered to come over and fed ex it to Em...but I had already done this myself.

Well now she has the ballot....and....as I have told you before....Em is a dyed in the wool Republican. My son in law worked for GWB when he was governor and Em was fascinated by all that....and now he is director of state and federal relations for the state of Texas in Gov Perrys (R) office.

Norine is a registered Democrat and her hubby is a Republican...so Em has been living in a lively political situation all fall.

The ballot here is pretty short this election...and as we know many of the local candidates running personally...I felt comfortable telling Emily that she might just want to simplify things by voting a straight ticket.....(when I suggested this via email to Norine...got a response......of...."straight ticket !!!!!!!!!") Of course I had to chime in....that isnt this what SELF DETERMINATION is all about....doing what YOU think is right..not what someone else thinks is right for you to do......LOL.

Anyhow last night Em phoned me...ballot in hand....and wanted to go thru the whole list ....LOL...so we did to the best of my ability. I have no idea how she will end up filling it out...but suggested she get some help with it. She then went on and on telling me about how Kerry keeps hammering away at Bush ...LOL..it really upsets her.

I dont mean this as a political endorsement of either party...just posted it cuz I think it is interesting that she takes such and interest (and always has) in the political process. Such a departure from her soaps....Full House...and Elton John videos...etc.....and also because it illustrates that people with disabilities can make a difference and should be given the opportunity to participate in opportunities like voting.

I just wish I could find some political material (yes...both viewpoints) written more at her level of understanding. I feel like when I interpret to her I am being biased...and I really would like her to make up her own mind about things like this.

Just reminding everyone here in the USA to go......VOTE

Jackie

[MB]

Way to go Emily. I know the phone lines will be burning up on election night.

MB

[Jackie]

Actually Emily will be in Austin ...going there Friday for Halloween ....and Katie is hosting an election night party for some of their friends.....

Problem is...dealing with her if her candidate of choice does not win....LOL....

Jackie

[TriciaF]

Way to go Emily! Jackie she is an inspiration to us all. I wish my neices and nephews her age would get a clue and get involved.

[Kristen]

I think it's great! I ws just wondering if people with DS got to vote seeing as they consider them non mentally competent - don't get me started.

Tell you what - I am a die hard republican and if that Kerry wins *I* will be one to deal with as well!!

[SuziF]

I ment to email you this last time you posted about the elections.
I took all 4 kids to the GWB rally at the airport a few weeks ago.
Sam insisted on wearing his Elephant costume from last Halloween even though it was about 90 degrees. Some people we met loyally attend all rallies & hoisted him up into the view of the cameras. This made the photo section og the Pgh paper next day. I heard it was flashed on some fo the evening news as well.

[christie]

SUZI OMG I just LOVE that photo ;D ;D ;D

JACKIE, I am with EMILY, KERRY just keeps hammering BUSH, personally I would like to hear what he will do from him and NOT keep saying what he feels BUSH has not done or done wrong I also may be hard to deal with, if I don't get my pick on Nov. 2nd LOLOL

KRISTEN, I do beleive and I could be wrong BUT as I knowe it anyone can vote as long as they are responsible for themselves. If you chose to become the persons guardian at age 18, I think it is then NO I do not believe they can vote. Anyone know if I am wrong on this?

I agree, Go out and VOTE everyone ;D

CC ~

[Connie]

Jackie,
It is so neat to hear how interested Emily is in the election process. I am very glad she has her own oppinions but she not going to be the only one upset if this election doesn't turn out right!!!

CC,

I actually beleive you are right. I just heard on the news today that a very intelligent man that was an attorney and taught at a law school in Ohio became mentally ill will a form of schitzophrenia was appointed a guardian back in 12/03. In the mean time he moved to St Louis MO and the courts where in the process of seeing if he need to have another guardian appointed and a Federal Judges said someone mentally incapable could not vote but he would hear his appeal after the election.

Not sure if these are all the correct details but.....I'm sure one of you smart cookies could find the link to it!! ;D

Connie

[Cbean]

What an election year! Suzi, I love that photo! Priceless! Jackie - Emily should be an inspiration to every US citizen out there to go out and vote. I wish more people took their right to vote as seriously as she does. What I really find fabulous is that in the heat of everything she maintains her stand and doesn't allow others to sway her views. It's amazing how the majority of the population take this right for granted while there are others who are denied it or have to fight for it! Get to the polls on Tuesday everyone!!!

[Alice]

WTG, Emily! Go Vote, Girl!

Suzi, great picture!

[Jackie]

here is a good site about the disabled and voting.

Jackie

www.accessiblesociety.org/topics/voting/

[Jackie]

ok....this is INTERESTING....

I copied it directly off of the County site that I live in here in Texas

ANY UNITED STATES CITIZEN MAY VOTE .....
. Provided that you are
1 a resident of the county
2 at least 18 years of age on election day
3 registered to vote
4 not a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed,including any probation or parole)
5 not declared mentally disabled by a court of law

[Alice]

Just recently I had meeting with Luke's case worker and she said that it is against the law not to give people with DS to vote.

[Jackie]

and I found this on a Texas state website

Who may vote in Texas?
Any United States citizen residing in Texas who is:

Legally registered to vote in Texas
At least 18 years old on Election Day
Not a convicted felon (unless sentence, probation and parole are completed)
Not declared mentally incompetent by a court of law

[Jackie]

this is also another good link

www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/9787008.htm