Times are hard here in NC

[Minimus]

My parents own many rental properties in a small rural area of NC. Most of the jobs around here are low paying manufacturing (which are becoming less and less). Dad is the kind of landlord that everyone wishes for. He always works with the tenets, many times not requiring a deposit, letting some pay partial rent during hard times (lay offs, etc.), or even going down on the rent around Christmas so parents can afford to give gifts to their children.

Needless to say, my parents have been taken advantage of quite a few times. People moving out in the middle of the night, leaving the property pretty much trashed as well as just leaving junk that then has to be hauled off.

Despite getting burned several times Dad still shows compassion and figures if a tenet is at least trying then he will do his best to keep a roof over their head.

My parents have had several empty units lately and when people call to ask about the lease they are now asking for the rent to be reduced because "times are hard in NC". So Dad has reduced the rent on all his empty properties.

What gets me is all these people experiencing these hard times in NC are the ones who voted for bush. They are the ones that voted against their best interest. And they would be the first ones to bad mouth Democrats. Calling them bleeding heart liberals, commies, socialists, anti-American, etc.

Well I just want to say that my parents are Democrats and I guess they are bleeding heart liberals. My Dad served in the Navy for 25 years and is one of the most patriotic people I know.

I told my parents to change their rental application to include the questions: What is your political affiliation and who did you vote for? And if the prospective tenet answers "Bush" then charge them full price. Of course my parents would never do that.

I guess my heart just doesn't bleed for those who say "times are hard in NC". Will I ever get back the compassion I once had? Or the desire to help my fellow man even if he did vote for Bush? When will I get over the 2000 and 2004 elections?

[China_cat]

1. If your parents actually did include that

on the rental form then prospective tennants could sue them for discrimination.

[Minimus]

4. yes, I know. It was said tongue in cheek.

But that is how I feel and I'm disappointed in myself for being bitter and for not being the kind hearted person that my parents raised me to be.

Dad says the country will survive bush and we just have to keep doing what we can to help our fellow man. I guess I'm still wallowing in my pessimism.

[wildeyed]

7. Your dad sounds like a wise man.

But I can relate to your pessimism. My children's sitter and her family all voted for Bush. They are always on the edge of some financial disaster. The most recent, one of her grandkids broke his arm in three places and of course the family has no health insurance. So she is lamenting this and I am looking at her blankly thinking, this is what you voted for and now you complain? Oh yeah, we are protecting the unborn. That is more important than being sure parents don't have to choose between getting proper health care for an injured child and making their mortgage payment. Some people can't be helped, you know?

[Walt Starr]

10. Political affiliation is not a protected class

therefore you cannot discriminate against somebody over their political affiliation under the law.

[roguevalley]

2. its going to take a serious, SERIOUS shock to the body politic

before people get their brains together. I am sorry for any hardship but you can't grow people faster than they are going to grow. depression will just about do it. Your parents are good, good people. if that doesn't do it, I don't know what will. Hug them for me next time you see them. Greatest generation, honey. True.

[against all enemies]

3. Don't lower rent; throw in a free Bible. Let them pay and pray.

They will then get what they voted for.

[oasis]

5. Let the homeless Bush lovers camp out on the White House front lawn.

:nopity:

[Timebound]

6. I agree.

I'm in NC, experiencing those same 'hard times'. Yet I voted for Kerry.

I am having trouble having sympathy for anyone who voted Bush either...

[dweller]

8. Compassion is yours to give

those things given freely are the ones that suprise you in the end.

it's all a lesson minimus. Don't give up on those qualities you know are real. Humans still emulate those that do the right thing. (even in this day when so many want us to 'give up, and get over it')

Right now, it's important to hold on to what you believe to be true.


peace,
dp

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. I know this is terrible of me...

But people have to learn the hard way. It's the only way they do learn. I have been in hard times for a while(A collection of bad things, but the economy in Western NJ sucks, too) and I had to learn.

I had to learn compassion. I mean really learn it. I had to learn that I am not the center of the known universe. I had to learn real humility. I had to learn survival.

With that comes a certain humility. I don't see a lot of humility these days, just hubris.

They are gonna have to learn the hard way. They will.

[mitchum]

11. Let Them Eat Jesus!