Starbucks, Suburbans, and Sticking It To the Man

Today is election day, a day when we the people get to cast our vote and make our voices heard, knowing full well that we are merely going through the motions. The electoral system is a joke. Maybe it is good in theory, and maybe in this most recent election it worked in favor of our country, but it is a joke. When a presidential candidate can win the popular vote (Al Gore) but NOT the electoral vote? Come'on! That's a joke! "We the People" voted and the majority wanted the tree hugger...thank God that didn't happen, but still; it's the principle of the matter.

The average American casting his ballot, thinking he or she is making a difference is much the same as a child sitting in his daddy's lap, holding the steering wheel and driving the car. Daddy is steering the car, but the child, not knowing any better, has the illusion of being in control.

I fully believe in taking an active part in this big mess called democracy. I agree with the idea of not being allowed to complain about politics if you didn't vote. However, I feel kinda like the kid who is too grown up to believe in Santa Claus. I feel a bit silly sitting on daddy's lap and the steering wheel doesn't seem as big as it used to. I know I'm not in control, so what's the point? (Yes, I'm still going to vote...and for McCain if that makes any difference.)

On a different subject all together, has anyone else noticed the different classes of people at different shopping centers? And the clothes they wear? And the cars they drive? And the coffee shops they go to? Starbucks and Suburbans. Soccer moms with designer jeans, doing their daily ritual of getting coffee and going shopping while their two older children are in school and their 2 year old joyfully rides along in child seats and shopping carts. They are attractive and upper middle class. And while this may sound judgemental, many either don't notice you holding the door for them or they look down on you as if your purpose in life is to open doors for them.

Now, that being said, not all of them are like that. I'm merely using a generic stereotype as a segway into an entertaining tale. These upper-middle class women always seem to have enough money to not work during the day, shop, and drink Starbucks. More power to them, but my wife and I are not so silver-spooned. Lately it seems as though our mere existence is nothing more than a fight for survival with the occasional distraction of a good episode of Sons of Anarchy or House. And it feels as though this consumer-friendly, materialistic society only reminds us that we have to work our fingers to the bone and scrape and fight for every morsel we eat and every penny we earn.

I am sitting here twitching with sweaty palms and a racing heart as I write this. Not because of rage, fury, or some kind of sickness. But because today, we stuck it to the man. We made a fool of the whole consumerist way of life (and maybe ourselves a little bit too.) Today, in honor of election day, Starbucks was giving away a free 12 ounce cup of brewed coffee. So on our lunch break, my brother and I went to the one on Eagle and Fairview and we received our free 12 ounce cup of coffee.

Then, we went to the Starbucks on Eagle and McMillian and we received our free 12 ounce cup of coffee. We then made room in the car for our cups of coffee, drove to Albertsons on Eagle and State where we again received our free 12 ounce cup of coffee. We have officially stuck it to Starbucks for aiding and abetting this consumerist society, and I spread my political opinion as I went.

At our last stop, the gal behind the counter in the beautiful, uniformly green apron asked "How would you like your coffee? Cream and sugar?" To which I replied "Just black. Although, I voted for McCain." After realizing how racist this sounded, I added "I didn't not vote for Obama because he's black...I didn't vote for Obama because I hate socialism."

Which brings me to my final ranting point. I heard a heartbreaking story today about a young family struggling to make it in this terrible economy. The husband was in sales and the growing recession forced him to work all sorts of odd jobs to provide for his family as the creditors began calling and his wife picked up a part time job and took care of their baby. While working odd jobs and not having steady work, they applied for government assistance...food stamps. This young, hard working family, struggling just to keep their heads above water, swallowed their pride and applied for food stamps. After all, everyone needs a hand up (not a hand out) every now and then.

Well, the husband, unwilling to let his family sink into poverty found a full time job with decent pay. Not great pay, but decent. Enough to cover most of the bare necessities like the mortgage, utilities, and insurance, but not enough to pay for gas and food. And because this young, determined, hard working young man refused to do nothing and let the government feed his family, he was denied food stamps. He doesn't earn enough to buy gas and groceries, but because he's an old fashioned American who believes a man should do everything he can to provide for his family, he was denied a helping hand.

The whole welfare system is so backwards. If you pay in to these programs through income tax and actually working a job, you don't qualify to receive any of the benefits. However, if you are lazy and unambitious, you are a shoe in. I realize that not everyone on welfare or foodstamps is lazy, but I also personally know of people who have abused the system for years while the people who really need the help are stuck working two and three jobs just to make ends meet.

I really like Pastor John Hagee's thoughts on the matter. He points out that God had a food stamp program. Farmers and those with orchards were not to harvest the corners of their fields or strip the trees of all the fruit. They were to leave some food for the poor and widowed to come in and pick food to provide for their families. John Hagee said "It wasn't welfare. It was work-fare." I firmly believe that this country desperately needs welfare reform, but I believe someone like John Hagee is the guy to do it. Not the socialist Barack Obama.

Oh, the Suburbans...My wife and I are considering getting an older one. Instead of spending $20,000 on a newer vehicle, you can pick up a nice, used Suburban for $5000....heated, leather seats, 3rd row seating, power everything and they are a tank.