Outside Debate, Hempstead Struggles (VIDEO)

Today a horde of journalists descends on Hempstead, NY, to cover the third and final presidential debate. But ANP left the pack to hear from people outside of the media spotlight, people hit hard by our nation's crises at home and abroad. Watch the video below from American News Project

Comments

[MFLUDER]

With so many wanting to help Jocelyn Voltaire out, since her house is being auctioned, there doesn't seem to be a way for them to donate. Any ideas?

I found these sites:

http://www.firstgiving.com/

http://www.networkforgood.org/Npo/fundraising/

Maybe someone can start a donation for her? We need to hurry though.

[rhettisha]

I can't believe the lady in the video only received a phone call that her son had died in Iraq. If you're poor and black, are you not worth a visit from a military Chaplain to hear this tragic news face to face? I hate McCain and everything he represents. From banking scandals to unnecessary wars, this video embodies the spirit of a McCain America we can no longer afford.

[muscleboundH]

Does anyone know how to contact Ms. Voltaire?

[MFLUDER]

Someone posted her contact info on this comment page somewhere. A few times, I think. Take a look.

[gladys46]

We were told to wait for ACORN who may have an attorney set up a fund !!! Still waiting!!!???

Earlier this info was given: Jocelyne Voltaire .. 10024 208th Street, Queens Village, NY 11429-1039
718-776-1093 .

I attempted to contact her by phone ... no answer!!

[b93950]

Donations are fine if the money actually goes to the recipient.

I am currently supporting three families by paying their rent each month. I was able to do this by leaving America and living in a foreign country. I do miss all the luxuries of owning a car, having shopping malls, and all the other benefits that are not available in third world countries.

I am a disabled Vietnam Veteran living on a fixed income pension, I am not rich by any means, but can sleep at night knowing that I have taken responsibility and helped others who need it.

[USALover]

You are a hero and an honorable human being. Thanks for doing a great humanitarian service and being a part of the greater good.

May GOD continue to bless you.

[Liberoservative]

Bless you and thank you for your honorable service.....

[nvegrl]

This clip only shows a small part of it. It's like this or worse everywhere. I lost my job last Friday. I own my home, for how much longer, I don't know. Unemployment isn't even one quarter of my weekly salary. I could make more at McDonald's. The job market is horrendous and I don't even know how to make ends meet until I find a job. I spent 11 years in the Navy. I served and sacrificed for my country, but my country has yet to serve me. There is no bailout for me, just as there is no bailout for anybody who is not a CEO. I will not be voting for McCain. He does not serve my best interests or the interests of ANY average American.

[USALover]

My prayers are with you and anyone in your life affected by your loss.

[The Lorax]

I wanted to cry when I looked at my paystub today, but this actually did bring tears to my eyes. I don't have a house, I have watched my finances get worse and worse over the past few years (hmmm, I wonder why) and decided not to get a home loan because I was afraid of what would happen it I couldn't keep paying. Now I see what could have happened to me. It's no fun to still be stuck renting an apartment and not having my own house to raise my kids in, but it would be worse to have my home being taken away, and still worse, to lose any of my kids. I'm poor, at least I feel like I am, but I too would like to send whatever $ I can to help Ms. Voltaire. I'd like to send her some kind thoughts and words as well.

I feel hopeless sometimes, but really, I could be worse off. Thanks for keeping things in perspective. I always think "It'd be so nice if I won the lottery"... to which people who know me respond "Why, so you can donate it all". And my big comeback is "Well, not ALL of it, but..."

[gladys46]

Clearly, you are rich in spirit and in truth !!! We wait to see just how we might help!

[Momma4Obama]

I agree completely with everything you said. You are, as the posters have said, a person of intelligence and well-founded grace. You have spoken truth to power, even for us, the powerless. Thank You.

[happypup]

You sound like a wise and wonderful person. Your family and friends are fortunate indeed. I thank you for your warm thoughts. You have been instrumental in keeping my perspective on the right track.

[Tommygun264]

The worst part of it is the thugs in the White House and on Wall Street will just sigh and say, "oh well, sad day for you", maybe take in a photo op, then get into their limos and drive away.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

Of course it is criminal!

This woman got screwed along with too many others.

I might not be in this situation now, but I know what it is like to be poor. It is something you never forget.

Greed folks, just pure greed caused all of this.

This woman was fraudulently enticed into her situation, and the sooner people realize how many others were similarly taken advantage of, the sooner the core problem of helping them will be addressed.

[Marrianne]

It would be great if one policitcian would step forward and I believe it will be Obama, to have a moratorium on foreclosures and it needs to happen now, like yesterday!!
If you are bailing out the big guys then stop the bleeding for the little guys.....should be fair for everyone since my taxes are going to bailout the banks...I vote for stop the foreclosures NOW!

[gladys46]

Obama stated just that on Monday ... he called for a 90 day moratorium on foreclosures to give people the chance to restructure their mortgages!

[Vj314]

Any updates from ACORN?????

[bobbysgurl]

What updates are you looking for?

[Vj314]

If they have set up a fund or if they have an address to send money to?

[jlc0426]

This is sad.

[barackbff]

As soon as we hear from Acorn or Ms. Voltaire's attorney on where to send donations, I'm in. Like many of us here, I don't have a lot of money, but I do have enough to share a little with Ms. Voltaire.

This is absolutely criminal.

[NobodysPoodle]

Not to sound cold hearted, but her son's military paid life insurance will provide her $400,000. (I posted 300,000 below but just checked the SGLI site and it is $400,000).

Once again. This is tragic and should not be happening but don't lose sight that the military does do something for the families left behind.

[gladys46]

No thanks to McCain!!!

[ccrane]

Right, but given how slowly the wheels turn in the military, will she get the insurance payout in time to save her house by Friday? Probably not.

[dubstyleenation]

Who knows when that money will come in for her.

[Vj314]

Although the insurance may pay her that amount of money, when will she get it? If she doesnt get it by friday, it wont help her. She has 2 other children that she has to provide a home for.

People, time out for blaming the government and the powers that be for these tragedies! The power is ours! We have to help one another, no matter what race, religion, whatever. The economy is only going to get worse and have to depend on one another to survive. Even if we donate 5 bucks a piece, that very well could keep Ms. Voltaire and her family in their home.

I have no faith in the government but I DO have faith in the American people!!!!!

[shirleen01]

That's besides the point..she's just frustrated right now. Once she calms down she'll do the right thing.

[gladys46]

I wait & cry ... at my ultimate sense of pissivity !!

[newpotusplease]

HP,
THIS STORY SHOULD BE YOUR HEADLINE- IT IS THE STORY- RIGHT ALONG SIDE THE DEBATE

DO YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO GIVE IT THE SPACE?

[shirleen01]

No they don't. The media is too busy smearing Obama.

[YouFnPeople]

I feel the same as everyone else on here.
I have sent a link to this article to crooksandliars.com and talkingpointsmemo.com and The Raw Story. Cos I'm a Brit, I have also sent a request to the Daily Mail in the UK as well.
It would be wonderful if this lady receives the help she so desperately needs and a huge bonus if this particular story could flood the news and blog sites on the net AND the mainstream news.

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

That's so nice of you.

[prdbldngheart]

I emailed this story to CNN. Not sure if it will help but coverage can't hurt.