My girlfriend was not with me this weekend so I went to see The Incredible Hulk a movie I fully expect she would loathe. After it was over I went to chick-fil-a and then walked up the street to the bus stop near the hospital where I hoped there was a bench. There was not. I waited patiently and then on an adjacent street a small SUV with quasi official police lights stopped and the hospital security guard ejected his charge. He was a man maybe three score plus years old with a significantly impaired gait and the shakes. I would come to find out recent medical treatment. His name was James. He told me he had a camper that he stayed in on the other side of town. They had given him a one ride pass which would be insufficient to get him home. He had no one to call and no money on him. I gave him my ice from my soft drink. He never asked me for money but rather claimed that he had some in the bank. It made me sad and angry all at once. I gave him my 11 ride pass and 11 dollars i had on me and made sure he transfered to the right bus downtown.
When I got home I cried about it on the phone to my g/f who sees this kinda stuff all the time as a social worker. I wished that I could've done more-- wished the world wasn't so cruel.
On the other hand, earlier this week I was lying down relaxing on the sidewalk one sunny eve waiting for the bus to arrive near a busy intersection. One motorist asked me if I was okay. I told him I was fine. Two other gentleman each independent of the other approached me on foot to ask about my well being. I put it out of my mind and then--I heard the ambulance it turned into the parking lot near me and I noticed a parked police cruiser and a cop walked my way. I informed him I was okay. It was clear that a passing motorist had called 911 out of concern for his fellow man.
This election isn't about just one issue. I submit that it is about James and it is about all those people who showed their concern for me. Its about making government and societal institutions better. Americans care about each other. They ARE good people. It is our institutions which need to be made to reflect the humanity and caring that is at the heart of the average American.