Long time readers know that I’m hardly shy when it comes to politics. I’ve had lawn signs since I’ve had a yard to put them in, and I’ve grown up with my family knowing politicians, or being involved in issues…
So we’re already into the 2016 electoral cycle, as it would seem, and I of course am already getting requests for money from campaigns.
I’ve not donated yet to any campaign, but then an email came into my inbox on Sunday evening from the Martin O’Malley campaign. (For those who’ve not noticed – my family lives in Maryland, and Mister O’Malley’s our immediate past governor.) It was interesting, especially as it was entitled “I’m not asking for money”… but it had an interesting line in it.
So you’ve been opening our emails, but haven’t made the decision to chip in to the campaign yet. I get it, and I’ll stop asking. How about this instead: hit reply on this email and tell me what’s holding you back. I know Martin’s positions on every issue, and I’m working on this campaign because I believe he’s the best possible candidate we have to lead our country.
It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone that they know if I opened the emails – most online groups put ‘bugs’ in the emails (1×1 pixel images) to tell if someone opens them. But…
Well, it’s only polite to respond, right?
And yes, my son is one child. But he, and children like him, are growing in number with every passing day. One out of sixty-eight children today in the United States has Autism, and those children with Autism are growing up to be adults with Autism, without our government doing very much at all to help them. There are laws that are unenforced – indeed, in the case of Baltimore City, are ignored – by the local school districts.
I’m not looking for a candidate to declare war on this disorder. What I’m looking for is a candidate who is going to fight for all Americans, and especially for children like my son, who can’t fight for themselves. I’m looking for a candidate for President who is going to understand that people with developmental disabilities are also their constituents, and that they deserve to have a leader who is going to fight for them.