Today I discovered once more how our society is institutionally structured to discriminate against the poor, the ill and persons in need. Today I drove my friend Ann, who has been suffering from serious pain for four years, to another doctor’s appointment. However, this one took over 3 ½ hours of our time and only resulted in a 20 min. visit with a doctor that she is required to undergo a five hour screening to be qualified for another treatment program that might ease her pain. The appointment was across town from her apartment and she would have been unable to attend by any means except by car. Because of her illness she is unable to drive herself. It was at a very rich and large shopping center/mall and she was given poor instructions as to the office location. It was difficult to park, get her a wheelchair and find the elevators to the office. We were late when we finally got there and the doctor said she was cutting the one hour visit to 20 minutes and would let my friend in pain know in two weeks if her government insurance would allow the rest of interviews necessary for the trip. Simply no pay no play and more pain.

The full court basketball hoops still remain in the nearby county park although the local politicians continue to threaten to take them down as a solution to a few neighbors’ reports of disorder, which seems to have no relationship to basketball playing. The young men, of various races, did not even know they were to be denied this recreation and certainly not allowed to speak for themselves on this issue.

I have experienced even very good persons that want to serve those in need discriminating by putting up barriers between them and the persons they serve. When my friend tried to give me something today for my driving service to her in this frustrating attempt to get help I told her that I was the one who owed her something for allowing me to be with her during this dreadful adventure.

Today two phone polling services called me for my opinion on candidates in the Novemember election. As I stated in my posting, Why Not Vote I do not intend to vote in future elections. This stopped one person from asking questions but not the other I guess it is easy to vote and discriminate.

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