Last week I served as a poll worker at my local polling place. I was by far the youngest; the average age of the other 5 workers was around 71.
Let me tell you: I was impressed. People in their 70s can work hard physically. They can use unusual technology, like electronic voting machines (and teach voters how to use it).
We put in a 15 hour day on election day, not counting the hours of mandated training and the 2 hours of set up on Monday. According to my calculations, we each made about half of minimum wage.
On Monday, there was squabbling among the workers about the proper way to do things. They all had past experience in different elections, and the procedures had changed slightly.
On Tuesday, all differences were set aside and we gelled as a team. Republicans and Democrats worked together flawlessly.
These are the people that our society tells to golf, travel, and watch TV.
We are squandering a treasure.
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