This comes from a conversation between two friends. One who is in his late fifties and is of African descent and the other who is in his mid fifties and is of a European mutt descent. Needless to say, one has had a family history where his ancestors were actually slaves, the other, not even close. Since no one here (to my knowledge) knows either of these gentleman I'll use their real names. Vincent is the gentleman in his late fifties (maybe 60). Bobby is the gentleman in his mid-fifties.
Another friend had posted a link to a CNN video with the following comment;
Supreme Court upholds The Affordable Care Act! Roberts was swing vote. Today is a glorious day for all Americans!
Bobby responded;
sad day for freedom! If we can be forced to buy health care or anything else, then we can be forced to do anything.I've decided however, not to submit. Life is not so dear nor peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery.
The friend who posted the original link responded;
Bobby, I'm speechless. Truly speechless. You have just denigrated the lives of all who have fought and continue to fight for justice, equality, peace and freedom. How can you be so callous as to demean the price of a life spent in chains and slavery by comparing it to healthcare? You know nothing (thankfully) of chains and slavery. Would you deny healthcare to any human being?
To which Bobby replied;
you don't appear to be speechless. I've denigrated no one. I know as much about slavery as anybody else in this country. If someone has unlimited authority over you then they're your master and your their slave. It doesn't matter how good the master treats you. God made me free and I'll bow to no one except Christ only. The government is our servant meant to protect us from violence, theft , fraud, protect our property rights and our freedom. What you do is up to you. I won't submit.
This where Vincent joined the conversation and most of the rest of the conversation took place between them.
Vincent;
why waste your time lol. Put it to better use. Time will tell whether or not Bobby will "submit" lol. Hope he never gets sick (we all know that he will) and need Health Care as millions of other people have. Millions of people have also been turned down numerous times because of pre-existing conditions. Thankfully that's OVER!
Let's see if Bobby has ever "submitted" before? Does he drive............if so does he drive without insurance (better not get caught lol). Does he own a home....if so does he have insurance on his home??? What's the difference???
As far as slavery and balls and chains, I agree with you Xxxx. Bobby doesn't appear to know a damn thing about slavery except what he's read/heard from books.
Vincent continued;
I would think that people like Bobby would be much more concerned with Republicans placing their medicare/medicaid/social security/health care in jeopardy. Maybe they don't want it??? I guess it's ok for the Rich 2% to pay only 17% or less in taxes and for them to keep the $950 BILLION Bush tax cuts while they try to take money from the poor/middle class to pay the deficit off............maybe that compares to his silly definition of "slavery"??
The banter went on for over four days. Testy at times and friendly at others. Both individuals are good people. Their life experiences have helped shape their opinions. At the end of the conversation Bobby and Vincent still do not agree, but have departed cordially.
I bring this to you for one primary reason. Bobby is a nice guy and these are his thoughts. He's educated and is a business owner. He's not one of these low information voters. Bobby is the kind of voter we need to reach. The question we need to ask ourselves is "How do we reach voters like Bobby?"
One quick caveat; Bobby recently has had a run in with the government. It wasn't the Federal government, it was the local municipality. He got caught in the local FD deciding to "strictly enforce" Fire Codes which they had been basically ignoring for more than forty years due to the manpower required to do Level Three inspections.
All that to say, he was stung, hard. But rather than accept this, the experience embittered him. Much like getting caught running that stop sign that you and and everybody else runs every time they come to it. The sign was always there, the Cop didn't just put it there, so why are you mad at him? Bobby's mad at the cop and blames the government for coming after him. He's not alone in that. How many times have you been pissed at the cop who gave you the ticket rather than accept the fact that you were the one breaking the law?
On with the games!!
Mojo Friday Guidelines
1) If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
2) Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
3) You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
4) You don't have to comment to recommend.
5) You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen)
6) Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 300, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
7) Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo.
8) TexDem (that's me) is not bound by the guidelines. Heh
Mojo Friday Goals
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Woodtick and bjedward.
G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.