Benjamin Franklin once said: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” That quote often comes up in the context of new technology and concerns about government surveillance.
If you can shop for food, you can go vote!
We understand that the danger of COVID-19 is real but I believe that it’s being used to make temporary changes that would eventually, become permanent.
Legislators all over the country are fighting for the approval of mail voting in the United States. Of course, they are urging the passing of that motion temporarily but we know how these “temporary” measures have a way to become the norm. The excuse is “social distancing” on Election Day and I say: if you can go food shopping, the pharmacy, stay in line to pick up free food, etc. you can go vote in person. You also have the option of early voting or voting by absentee ballot if you cannot stand in line, six feet apart for a long time.
Through the years we have questioned the credibility of elections departments in this country, not just in Lawrence. In our city, we have witnessed how tricks are made controlling the elderly vote and cheating them of their choices; many times, absentee ballots have been found after Election Day not being counted. This year, we are seeing abuses taking place for the 2021 local voting.
There is no reason to establish voting by mail. I don’t even trust electronic voting because I fear the machines could be manipulated. The new machines the City of Lawrence bought have a count at the end of the night that matches the number of voters. I’m still not confident of the way the absentee ballots are treated because they don’t follow the proper procedure.
They may say that mail voting could save the city monies for hiring poll workers for a day. Can you imagine the cost of mailing ballots to voters and returning them? Then, how many people would need to be hired to classify those many thousands of mail-in ballots to each city district?
Think about it and let your state legislators know how you feel.
Alert from the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert to consumers to be on the lookout for nursing homes and assisted living facilities that are requiring residents who are on Medicaid to sign their stimulus checks over to the facilities.
The FTC says that states around the country have received reports of nursing homes and assisted living facilities claiming that stimulus checks count as “resources” under the rules of federal benefit programs that must be used to pay for services.
The FTC notes that this is not true, and encourages consumers to check with loved ones who receive Medicaid and live in these facilities, and to file a complaint with their state attorney general if they or a loved one have experienced this issue.
Hispanic Chamber
Recently, Jorge Jaime and Joel Chalas brought the subject of aid to local businesses on Facebook. They interviewed Asdrovel Tejeda, president of the Hispanic Chamber regarding their efforts towards the many Latino businesses that have not been able to get any assistance from government sources.
That organization received $20,000 from Columbia Gas, courtesy of Mayor Rivera, and another $25,000 through State Representative Frank A. Moran. Mr. Tejeda did say what type of assistance they have been granting but said that the person taking calls from interested persons is Daniela Mercedes at (978) 648-4875.
I later found out that Esther Encarnación, Business and Community Development Manager is the person in charge of processing the applications.
You may call her a (978) 620-3510.
I don’t like the idea that this Chamber is not independent and the mayor continues controlling those funds.
