Eddie - I think I got his vote

Last week I met a man named Eddie.  Eddie said he was planning to vote for my opponent.  We chatted about this and that and I talked a little about my plan to work from within the legislature to help our social services agencies be more accessible to us the consumers.  I talked a little about the advocacy I have been doing over the last 10 years and that I would like to see the state agencies and the community service agencies collaborate more on providing services to those in need.  That is when he told me a little about his story.

Eddie is, I don't know, middle age I guess, a college graduate, white (if you care), apparently born here in the US (again, for those that would ask) and he is employed full time.  I did not ask where he works or what his family or living situation is, I just let him speak.  Eddie told me that while he makes more than minimum wage (more than $8/hr), he does not earn enough money to sustain himself.  He believes he is eligible for an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer card).  Eddie told me that for the last 10 months he has been filling out forms, making phone calls and trying to cross all the necessary 'T's in order to fulfill the requirements.  He has been doing everything he is supposed to do but still he waits for his response.  Ten months.
 
I cannot imagine why it is taking so long for Eddie to at least get a response of yes or no to this application.  Ten months is unconscionable.  However, having spent the last 10 years advocating full time for services for our children, I can certainly empathize with him.  Wholly to the detriment of those in need, it is tremendously difficult to navigate these waters. I told Eddie that his story and the story of others like him that are in need, is one of the driving forces behind my campaign.  It should not be this difficult.

I also told Eddie that while I cannot speak for my opponent and as he has not made himself available for a candidate forum, we cannot ask him to clarify his position, I can speak to his voting record.   My source is Progressive Massachusetts, whose mission reads, in part, "Progressive Mass works to move Massachusetts toward a future where the values of equal opportunity, social and economic justice, consumer and environmental protection, health care as a right, equal access to quality public services, respect for all residents and accountable and transparent government are given top priority."  They have documented how Massachusetts legislators voted on various issues.  The ones relevant to Eddie's situation are noted below.  In all three cases, Tom Stanley, according to this site, voted against Progressive MA.  In other words, he voted to make it more difficult for people like Eddie to get the help they need.  The website and the synopsis of the legislation can be found here:

http://www.progressivemass.com/progressive_mass_house_roll_call_votes_2013_2014
1) Safety Net, EBT: Vote was to effectively block an amendment that would have further restricted the use of EBT cards. (Progressive Position: Yes, Roll Call #96, Bill H3400, 4/23/2013)

4) Safety net: Vote was on an amendment to add further restrictions to accessing public benefits. (Progressive Position: No, Roll Call #28, Bill H55, 2/6/2013)

8) Safety net: Vote was to effectively block an amendment that would make it more difficult for the poor to apply for public benefits. (Progressive Position: Yes, Roll Call #97, Bill H3400, 4/23/2013)