Under-served want candidates to listen

The last days are waning for the 2012 general election on Tuesday. Some voters think both candidates aren’t listening to their concerns.

Jason Burtis is an unemployed computer expert. His last full time job was in 1986. He wants to work, despite being in a wheel chair with Multiple Sclerosis. Burtis told me that once a company sees him in his wheelchair they look the other way. Burtis doesn’t think the candidates are addressing him and millions of other Americans with disabilities, “I’m not sure they researched it enough. Disabled is not a very large percentage of voters in America so why would they bother. I’ve not heard a word out of them about disability.”

Collette is married with four children. I’m not using her last name or the name of her husband. Collette’s husband is under-employed. He was an electrician with one class left before he could graduate his job. They lived two hours away from his job. He lost his job and couldn’t keep up with his college load and look for work. He is now under-employed doing temp work. Collette wanted both candidates to hear her loud and clear, “No body is looking for a hand out. They may sound like it. They want to be successful and have a chance like anyone else.”

I met Collette and Jason at the Marian House in downtown Colorado Springs. Both tell me this organization has helped them weather their life storms. I’ve put more information on the Marian House on Links We Mentioned.