Election Day 2006

Tuesday, November 07 2006 | Send to a friend

ELECTION DAY 2006

This year, voters across the country are deciding on an array of ballot initiatives. Nationally, there are seventy-six choices, the third highest since ballot initiatives were introduced. Dick explores two ballot initiatives with people who may each be affected by the outcomes.

MAXIMUM EFFORT, MINIMUM PAYCHECK

Three years ago, Allen Dawson had a very bad year. First, he had a car accident. Then he lost his job, and couldn't find another one. Finally, he was hired at Wendy's, working as a cook at minimum wage. Allen lives in Ohio, and voters there are deciding today whether to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.85 an hour.

Allen Dawson

"Folks who feel like raising the minimum wage isn't important, maybe these are the people that it doesn't really affect...they're salary or they're doing pretty good. They don't understand until they hit a hard place in their life, then they want to speak the same language."
- Allen Dawson

• Visit a local organization that helps people like Allen

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Time Served

There are more than four million Americans who can't cast a ballot today because they are felons. They're not allowed to vote even if they've served their time.  The UN Human Rights Committee calls it the  "worst record of disenfranchisement in the free world." One Human Rights Watch report says the US appears to be the only democracy that permanently denies so many of its citizens the right to vote. 

Dick speaks with Pamela Graham. Pam was imprisoned for drug violations. She's done her time, and is now a working taxpayer. A Rhode Island ballot referendum today might restore her right to vote.  

• Read about efforts to restore the vote nationally and in Rhode Island

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LISTENER RESPONSE - John Eylers

Dick recently interviewed James Bowman, author of the book Honor: A History. James had protested the Vietnam War, and did not serve in the military. But, looking back on his protesting days, he told Dick he was filled with regret because he believes he didn't act honorably.

John Eylers

That interview inspired John Eylers to write in and tell us his story.  John wrote:

These events of nearly forty years ago came to mind while listening to your interview with James Bowman, who was a war protester and later came to the conclusion that he had done something dishonorable. I have never had any such feelings. In fact, quite the opposite. I believe that the most honorable thing to do is to follow your conscience. If the honor group you belong to does not agree, then find another honor group. As an officer, I could not in good conscience lead men into a war that I truly believed was evil. As a citizen, I could not shirk my responsibility to give something to the community that fostered me. I could not fight and I could not slink away. I had to stand up and state my beliefs in hopes that others would be inspired to do likewise. I have no regrets.

Dick talks with John about the decisions he made during the Vietnam War.

• Listen to the original interview with James Bowman