You know, I'm not a cop-hater, but today.... [View all]

[Tree-Hugger]

Last edited Thu Nov 28, 2013, 03:30 PM - Edit history (2)

....I just want to kick some law enforcement balls.

I tend to pass over some of the DU posts that seem anti-cop because a lot of the experiences are different than my own and I know good cops. I try to keep an even mind. But today I'm pissed.

I've written here about my own poverty situation (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023842668) and OneGrassRoots just set me up on the Wishadoo site so my family can receive help. Being poor sucks. It's like you're ties down and powerless while being constantly assaulted by one thing or another on a daily basis.

One of our daily woes with poverty is out car situation. We have two cars, which I think we're supposed to sell because poor people aren't supposed to have cars. I believe the RWers expect us to drag one another to work via rickshaws that we construct out of cardboard boxes and the filth of our poor poverty tears. I digress. One car failed safety inspection, but passed emissions, in July. We have not been able to afford the needed repairs (wheel cylinders and breaks). The other car is good on inspection until December, but is also due for breaks now and has just begun making a terrifying noise while being driven (I can only describe it as sounding like there is a wookie under the hood) so we have completely stopped using it. We're in a bad place with our cars. Still, my husband needs to get to his three jobs and my son needs to get to and from school, doctor's appointments, etc. And we need to drive to the grocery store (because God forbid they install sidewalks that actually lead to somewhere...) in order to spend our SNAP money and get judged in line for buying red meat or a bag of pretzels for my son's school snacks.

I was stopped by a cop today. He noticed my expired sticker as I drove by. He asked why it was expired and I explained my whole situation, saying we were struggling financially and were "food pantry type of poor." He seemed sympathetic and asked for my license and papers, which I gave him. He said he was going to send me back out in a quick minute. They run your license and registration and insurance routinely, whether or not they intend to give you a ticket so that didn't bother me. As he was doing that, another cop pulls up. That cop got out and talked to him and then came to me. He said he understands I have some money issues and asked what was wrong with my car and how much the repairs would be. He then sympathized and said it's $20.00 parts, but $300.00 for labor. He asked if I had gotten estimates anywhere else. The way he initially spoke to me sounded sympathetic and I thought for a moment he was going to tell me of some way to get help for my car (maybe there was a program that offered car repairs to the po'). But then he started going on and on about how I'm a liability on the road and can harm myself, my kids, and others. And I agreed. I said I totally understand and I have never been one to ever skimp on car repairs or routine maintenance until now, that hopefully this is a temporary bind, and that I don't know what to do because we need to drive to get to work to make money and try to save for all of our repairs. He was all, "I know, I know. I get that." He went back to the other officer and they chatted, while I sat there. He came back and said I would probably get a ticket today and it wasn't because they don't sympathize and that they don't care, but that I should, "think of it as an incentive to do the right thing and get the car repaired." What the actual fuck? It's not like I'm out here not giving a shit about my car. It's not like I'm blowing money on frivolous things and not taking car of what's needed. I'm in a bind. I need help. The other officer came back with a ticket and said to please fix my car within ten days. Otherwise, my license will be suspended.

So, I guess I'll be driving around on a suspended license.

It just pisses me off because this is the overall attitude towards the poor in society. People act like we chose this. We're being stubborn. We're lazy and just don't want to work so we can live off of handouts all day. They act like a simple solution is just a pray and wish and a day's worth of hard work away...as if we can just snap our poor little fingers and a the answer will fall from the sky. I was just looking at this offer telling me that a ticket and license suspension will essentially incentive enough to cure my poverty and fix my car like he had three heads. It must be so easy to say that when you get to work a job with okay pay and benefits, don't have to worry about car repairs, and get to go home to your own home where you have a full pantry and fridge. It's so easy to tell poor people that things will get better if you just work hard enough...if you just want it bad enough. Just stop being poor. It's as easy as that!

Sorry if this doesn't belong in GD. I was looking for a place to rant. Most people in my personal life aren't aware of how bad things are for my family because a)it's embarrassing and b)I don't want my parents to worry anymore than they already do. So, I rant online. If you are reading this and you have a quick moment to send out a prayer, or a good thought to the universe, or some positive vibes, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to sheepishly post my Wishadoo link here, as suggested by OneGrassRoot. Some folks have helped out and it's making a world of difference for us.

http://www.wishadoo.org/fundraising/6/help-with-rent-bills-car/

****UPDATE November 28, 2013****

Just wanted to give an update to this situation. I was able to get my cylinders fixed. I had initially thought I may be able to do it on my own, but I ended up needing to rush the process. My grandmother was placed on Hospice and I was hoping to be able to make the trip out of state to visit her, so I decided to go with an auto repair place instead. Most places quoted me in the $250 to $350 dollar range, except one, who charged half that and got it done quickly. My car also had another inspection and passed, so I am totally legal. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away less than 24 hours after my inspection was complete, so I was unable to visit her.

I just wanted to thank all of you who read this and gave me advice, support, and encouragement. And thank you so much to those who have contributed to my Wishadoo campaign. I am at 50% of my goal and the support has been tremendously helpful - I can't even begin to explain how grateful we are. I am in the process of sending individual emails out over the next couple of days.

Thank you EVERYONE!!!