Criminal Behavior in the Government

Jennifer and Sandra spoke with Arturo on a sunny Saturday morning, one of our first conversations on Jennifer's first canvass outing. Arturo met us in his driveway and replied without hesitation when we invited him to share his concerns about the current administration. "Their criminal behavior! They are arresting immigrants without a record who have been here 30 years, when they are the ones committing crimes and corruption." He also worries about high prices and veterans' rights - he did not serve but respects those who did. "I would have liked Kamala Harris as president," he mused. As we spoke, Arturo greeted the mail carrier and several neighbors who were walking their dogs or stepping out to their cars. Arturo lives with his wife, mother-in-law, and some of his five daughters. He became a naturalized citizen 35 years ago and works in construction as a heavy equipment operator. It's a good job but he faces racism at work, such as people assuming that he can't speak English. He has developed a thick skin: "Words can't hurt me. My mother always told me, 'Don't get crazy when people say mean things to you! Then there are two crazies and that doesn't help.'" As we snapped a photo, Arturo teased us: "I don't know why you want my picture, I'm not a movie star." Several family members emerged from the house and piled into the car for a shopping trip. His teen-aged daughter teased too: "I can't vote yet, but I will tell him how to vote!" As they drove off, Arturo went to the mailbox, opened an envelope to find his updated union card, and showed it to us before tucking it into his wallet.