Philadelphia — Robin and Mike Wilson traded in a potential beach trip for hot pavement and sticky crowds at the Democratic National Convention.
Using their vacation days from work, the couple made the seven-hour car ride from Akron, Ohio, as a way of setting an example for their four children.
“Don’t bitch if you’re not going to do anything about it,” Robin said.
The pair are supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democratic Convention. Planted firmly in team “Never Trump, Never Hillary” but refusing to skip out on the ballot, they’re considering voting independent in November.
As two working parents, the Democratic candidate Sanders’ stance on minimum wage and healthcare resonated with the Wilsons. “I’ve had these thoughts for years, he’s just given me a place for it,” Mike said.Mike left behind a 20-year career as a carpenter to further his education at Kent State. As a self proclaimed sixth-year junior he’s studying archeology.
Being at the convention is a lesson within itself, he said. As a father and a teacher, Mike said he felt he couldn’t vote for presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton because he considers her corrupt. He said he doesn’t want to teach his three daughters and son to support those who lie, steal or cheat.
When he asked his children how they felt about him and his wife leaving them with grandma for the week he said the response was positive. “They said, ‘You’re standing up for what you believe in,’” he said. “They said ‘Do it for the other people who support him. Do it for us.’”
