October 13, 2026 – Watertown Daily Times Online
I live out in the country in WTN Township but I get to the city a lot. My wife, who grew up in these parts, needs 6 reasons before she goes to town. Me, two.
And I run into a lot of young workers finding their way in the world. The Walmart clerk at Electronics Desk helping with a phone that won’t charge. The other workers filling orders, biding time until better opportunities, wondering when the robots are coming to replace them.
Or the young man at F&F loading my truck with my water softener salt purchase w/o me asking. The pizza makers at Papa Murphys, their quiet confidence on display.
And then I ruin it all: “Are you registered to vote?”
The biscuit maker at Hardees never votes. The young Latina at the auto parts store says “Why vote. I’ll never be able to afford a house!” The F&F guy says it makes no difference, voting, as they’re all the same. The young pizza makers followed Francesca Hong for a time, appreciating her lack of BS and her straight talk.
A 22 year old cashier at Pig votes the way her father decides. Her coworker was rolling the dice going without insurance.
Call them independents, non-voters, infrequenters, or those who think “A pox on both parties!” I certainly wouldn’t call them indifferent. Maybe disengaged.
It is their future we are voting on. I know, I know, seniors are facing cuts to their earned benefits. The parents of these young workers see property taxes going up and a trip to Culver’s takes 3 $20s instead of 2. And their kid’s teachers aren’t trusted to put on a school play.
We need leaders to show them a path. They don’t hear from them and don’t know who they are. They are not getting solutions from our current political leaders. They are stuck in:
GOP NEVERLAND
YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME
YOU WILL NEVER FIND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE OR CHILDCARE
YOU NEVER REACH YOUR POTENTIAL
Democratic challengers have something to say about that: Ideas on healthcare and childcare and reigning in the excesses of technology.
Check out these candidates. You know what to do.
Assembly. Terri Wenkman. voteterriwenkman.com
State Senate. Sasha Ripley. ripleyforwisconsin.com
Congress. Andy Beck. beckforcongress.com
Governor. David Crowley. crowleyforwi.com
Vote Blue for our working youth.
Benjamin Adams,
Watertown
