Amish turn out to vote in election Save Email Print
Goshen, IN
Posted: 4:17 PM May 6, 2008
Last Updated: 4:17 PM May 6, 2008

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The importance of the 2008 Indiana primary is bringing people out of the woodwork to vote, including a group which normally avoids the spotlight.

Chelsea Clinton celebrated Cinco de Mayo Monday night at La Bamba discotheque in Goshen.

Carl Yoder, a member of the Amish community, was in the crowd. The Amish do not usually come out to support candidates, but the importance of the ’08 election changed their minds.

“Normally, we like to sit back and see how things play out, but this year going to the Cove and being at one of the rallies really got me going, and I'm kinda like die-hard Clinton now. So, typically we don't really come out, but this election is very important,” said Yoder.

A big issue affecting the Amish are the high gas prices. To make up for the prices at the pump, the people who drive the Amish to the stores have to charge more.

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Posted by: Brad Location: Ohio on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Kinda rad this late but I HAVE TO SPEEK MY PART. Amish pay what taxes? The buy up land (Dont pay tax) then sell the land after they strip all the timber off of it and again PAY NO TAX. All the money they rcieve is CASH and we all know it is not counted as income. But the whole problem with these disscussions are Amish are supposed to be self sufficient right? Ok so if this were true they would need no rides, no go to the store, not have to worry about gas prices, no be seen much outside their community. I do live by many Amish and know alot of people who deal with them and this is not too far from the truth. I can not pull my car (No motor, doors or windows) with a horse and get away with it can I? I cannot deduct the money I donate to my church for a tax break. I pay tax on tax all of the time. The Amish, in my opinion, should do as they clame to do fully. Sorry I feel this way but hey how many you see in bars? Is this not more against their religion than getting their picture taken?

Posted by: Heather Location: Mishawaka on May 29, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Oh and by the way here is the link for his "Nasty Amishman" act at the Funny Bone!!! (YouTube - Nasty Amishman first amatuer comedy performance funny AmishHere is footage of the comedian Nasty Amishman with his first amateur contest victory at the South Bend Funny Bone in 2002. This is very funny! youtube.com/watch?v=03Kj4TKC4qw&feature=related)

Posted by: Heather Location: Mishawaka on May 29, 2008 at 01:43 PM
WNDU should check out their sources. I personally know that Carl Yoder is NOT amish. Is last name isn't even Yoder! He is a comedian. His real last name is O Haver. WOW, I am glad the WNDU checks out a story before airing it.

Posted by: Brad on May 9, 2008 at 02:34 PM
We are pathetic and uneducated, yet one of the Harris's wants to vote for someone who won't win. Yeah I agree with psycho,, this dude must be havin multiple personality issues or something!

Posted by: Phsyco hunter Location: Happy Dale on May 9, 2008 at 01:17 PM
I kind of get the impression someone on this thread is talking to themselves in order to derail the chat. Take your medicine and make all those voices go away.

Posted by: Mr. T-bone on May 9, 2008 at 12:10 PM
HAHA that is funny, Jez. ( I know her from school.) she tends to get her facts drug through the murk of her mind.... well, i guess you could add Harris to that list as well. Carl Yoder.. a simple amish guy that wants to vote. plain and simple. MLK of the 21st cent? no idea, i dont know him.

Posted by: tired of this story on May 9, 2008 at 11:22 AM
There have been ton of comments and speculations. I checked out the comedian and yoder, and they are not the same. Come on people use this thread to comment on the story. Not ridiculous alegations that lead us to some x files conspiracy. Just an Amish voter plain and simple. Nothing funny there!

Posted by: Yoderski Location: Sb on May 9, 2008 at 07:33 AM
I'm growing my beard even as I type. I also want one of those cool Amish hats.

Posted by: Checkd it out on May 9, 2008 at 12:56 AM
I googled it. That isnt the same guy. Doesnt even look like the same guy. But that guy is funny. Thanks for turning me onto that.

Posted by: Indiana on May 8, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Most of you are idiots. First: of all the Amish have state ID cards. They look just like your drivers license minus the picture. It is a legal ID. Second: of all they don't get special tax exemptions, they pay ALL the same taxes that the English pay EXCEPT what you pay when you buy & license your car. They have no car so that would make sense. Third: the amish do not "bum" rides. They pay for rides. An amish friend of mine paid $110 last week to go from Bremen to South Bend for an appointment. How many of you pay that for one trip? Fourth: the Amish are not "afraid" of getting their picture taken. They take literally the verse in the Bible that says in part, 'make no graven image. Lastly the Amish are highly respectful and would talk so crudely and be so rude as most of you are being on this post. Reading the biggest share of the posts here would make me understand why the Amish prefer to remain separate in this part of the country.

Posted by: The critic on May 8, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Yoder was on tv. I seen him on kingpin, witness,pretty in pink, He is also going to be in the new sex in the city movie. He was in Rocky 2 as Clubber Lang.

Posted by: Harris on May 8, 2008 at 06:57 PM
OK you all win... I am wrong... You all are omnipotent... Please forgive me for my ignorance and understand that you have changed my mind... I am voting for Romney! Enjoy life you pathetic uneducated racists!

Posted by: Brad on May 8, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Well to whoever the real Harris is, both of you have been quite entertaining. Mr. Yoder was just having similarities pointed out that can be found in MLK. Take a christian for example, do they not constantly strive to be Christlike? So if you were to observe a christian carrying out a noble deed that the bible would approve of would he deserve a verbal bashing because you can find relevancy in his life to that of Jesus Christ himself? To give the Harris brothers their credit, Hillary DID lie. But I got news for ya,, Obama has lied, Bill has lied, Bush has lied..... You are going to find fallacies in the statements of everyone if you look hard enough. And get over the Rodney King thing. ANYONE can and has been beaten/killed for their skin color, religion, sexual orientation,etc etc etc....

Posted by: enough is enough Location: peace on May 8, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Things are getting out of control. Hillary did lie, but Obama hung out with that wacko preacher and just recently disassociated himself from him. So Both Candidates have ghosts. But this is about change and issues. I dont care about lieing about snipers or fruity nazi preachers. Stop fighting. And to Indiana Jones how are you from Michigan? Its kind of funny. Indiana Jones from Michigan. Shouldnt you live in Indiana?

Posted by: Appalled Location: Michigan on May 8, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Interesting how this story about Amish voting has turned into a diatribe against Hillary, M.L.K., Jr. & all sorts of other stuff. I see a lot of people who need serious therapy!!!!

Posted by: Harris on May 8, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Simply coming on here, posing as me and stating that I did NOT know Dr. Martin Luther King is intolerable and I am notifying WNDU of this. Therein lies your racist! My opinion counts, perhaps I just phrased it wrong. The only accuracy this "harris" seems to nail is the fact that Hillary is a deceiver. I hightly doubt Mr. Yoder has the actual strength to put up a barn. Dr. King would have! He loved his fellow man white, black, brown, you name it! And as I said before EVERYONE here is ignorant if they still think they are in the right for supporting Hillary! Obama loves his fellow man just like Dr. King did. And if anyone disagrees, I am thoroughly, and I mean THOROUGHLY embarrassed for you ALL! Be ashamed! You deserve it!

Posted by: Harris on May 8, 2008 at 03:15 PM
This pathetic story with little news value isn't worth all these comments. Its ridiculous to compare Yoder to King. My disagreement with the comparison was based on Yoders lack of cultural significance and purpose, not on his race, creed, or appearance. But I was attacked because of my "racial" veiwpoint.The person bringing race into this discussion is the person calling me racist, because that is the only way he can win this argument. And, posting in several names, or posting in my name to "make" me apologize for having my own opinion-it's been done to many on these threads. It's easy to see I NEVER said Yoder shouldn't vote, nor did I say Amish shouldn't vote. Protesting being called a racist isn't racism, but continually calling me a racist IS since there is absolutely no grounds for it. I hope the readers have the sense to look at the content of postings, rather than the name stuck on the top, since anyone can use any name they choose-if they are childish enough-and someone here is.

Posted by: Words Marked Location: Carefully on May 8, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Mark, you have it right. And the prospect of a gothic civil war should frighten everyone. It will be an emo-trastrophe the like of which the internet has never seen before. Vote Mcain, if anyone cain, mcain cain. K.

Posted by: Harris on May 8, 2008 at 02:33 PM
The Harris who posted at 8:38 was NOT the same one who posted previously. I am the original Harris, and I DO NOT apologize for stating my opinion. I do not claim to personally know Dr.King, but I have studied his life and understand just how absurd is the comparison some here are trying to make. I have also lived amongst the Amish extensively, and completely comprehend the "stigma" they CHOOSE to live with. Not quite the same as being beaten and arrested for being born with the "wrong" skin color. I am personally acquainted with several Amish who regularly vote, and one who ran for a local office in his community, so Yoder voting just couldn't strike me as being so "brave", nor is he a leader of his people. But, if you can see the overwhelming evidence-including her confession, and still think Hillary didn't LIE, you are beyond reason and not worth discussing any real issue with. I never "bashed" anyone, nor said he shouldn't vote, nor did I bring up race-that was RACIST IndianaJones.

Posted by: mark my words on May 8, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Obama will lead us into Armageddon! He will withdraw the troops inside of 16 months of taking office thus plunging the middle east into a gothic civil war that will effect the world in ways we dont even want to think about. he has even been called the anit-christ! Hillary for President! Go Amish!

Posted by: George W Location: angola on May 8, 2008 at 11:36 AM
He plays on tv? What show? I never seen him. Is it An Amish tv show? I thought Amish dont have tvs. George W Bush was the best president ever. Everyone else stinks like rotten eggs.

Posted by: who cares on May 8, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I know Carl too... he is my cousin. he is my brother's cousin too.

Posted by: Sun of Sam Location: Elkhart on May 8, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Harris is rascist! He is bashing a guy for voting. plain and simple. And complaining because he is voting for Hillary. That is his right.I see the comparrison to King because you are supporting it. King was criticized. And Harris is doing the same thing. Yoder facts I have gathered by reading these post are. These post keep getting crazier and crazier.1. Yoder is compared to king. 2. Yoder is Amish. 3. Yoder has many kids. 4 Yoder is not Amish. 5. Yoder is on tv. 5.Yoder is a comedian. REAL FACTS...The guy wasnt doing anything funny or trying to attract attention. So i believe he is just an Amish voter. Plain and simple. Not extreme like King. Just voting for his choice. Is Yoder an alien too? People stop throwing the race card around. Harris and Rita are just keeping it going. I am African American and I am offended by The remarks. When people change the subject Harris brings it back up. Harris is right about OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

Posted by: RICK on May 8, 2008 at 11:19 AM
so, the amish got over their fear of getting their pictures taken for i.d.'s huh? it wasn't that many years ago that the amish were up in arms about photo i.d.'s when indiana went from paper to photo i.d.'s for drivers licenses and identification cards and claimed it was against their religion.

Posted by: obama? on May 8, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Obama was raised by muslum extreamests and atheists. You are given a foundation for your life as a child. These are moral standards that you cannot shake for the rest of your life. If you want a person with that kind of moral fiber running the country, please.. vote obama. me? i just want the gas prices to come down and for Carl Yoder to not have rocks thrown through his window any more.

Posted by: jabberjaw Location: midway on May 8, 2008 at 09:19 AM
1) Carl is a real Amish guy, I go to church with him and he is my neighbor. 2) He does wake up to rocks being thrown through his window, its how he gets his mail 3) Everyone is raciest, if not, we wouldn't have the word "racist". 4)The most stand-up Carl Yoder has done at one time is taking a shower. 5)everyone lies, get over it. Carl for president!

Posted by: Harris on May 8, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Look guys. I know I may have overreacted previously... I am not a racist nor do I think Carl Yoder is. I just have issues with the Amish but it isn't prejudice I SWEAR ok? Hillary is the only liar I know! I don't care what you guys say, Ill take that truth to my grave! All you people are Obama haters. I can smell you from a mile away and I DONT appreciate someone trying to comment on this thing as if they are me! Ok? And none of you know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. like I did! So quit acting like you know all about my dear dear friend just because teacher talked about him in elementary school ok? Dr. King is a harder worker than Carl Yoder. I've seen it with my own eyes! STOP THE HATE PEOPLE!! OBAMA FOR 2008!!!!!

Posted by: Rita on May 8, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Carl Yoder like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? What an insult to King! And, he knew people treated him different, but his point was all people are equal. Bringing out the "racist" card makes you the racist, not Harris-5/7. Besides, Yoder's not real Amish in the first place, and the Amish do vote, some have even run for local offices, so it's not like Carl did something so great. Like King-lol! Let me know when he wakes up to rocks flying through his windows or burning crosses on his lawn and maybe I'll stop laughing! And for anyone still trying to insist Hillary is NOT a liar- you should try to keep up with her, she seems rather proud of her lack of reality. I saw the Leno show, too, and she certainly didn't deny she lied. She just tried to soften the blow and backpedal. Oh, she's a liar, all right, and she knows we all know it.

Posted by: JezRo Location: Goshen on May 8, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Hello people, Carl is a FAKE AMISH GUY! He just plays one on TV. I've seen his stand up at different places. Don't any of you fools go to night clubs ever? GET A LIFE!!! Nasty, you almost dooped em bro. Nice one!

Posted by: give us cheap gas Location: everywhere on May 8, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Yoder has it right. Expensive gas effects us all including the Amish. We are all fighting for the same cause. Everyone is suffering with these gas prices. Down with the oil companies!

Posted by: give us cheap gas Location: everywhere on May 8, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Yoder!! You and the Amish have it right. Gas is too much money!! It effects us all. Its nice to hear we are all suffering, even the Amish. America is binding together..Down with the oil companies!!!

Posted by: Flex Luthor Location: Gotham on May 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
This is an Amish dude. What does it have to do with Martin Luthor King Jr? And mostly what does sniper attack story told by Hillary have to do with this guy voting? Kudos to Yoder! Luthor for President.

Posted by: ND fan for life Location: South Bend on May 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Harris, you astound me by your uneducated and twisted banter. Who are you to pass judgment on someone for having "mis-spoke". I am sure you are perfectly qualified considering you had never done so yourself. You would be surprised as to the confrontation that the Amish community has to endure on a daily bases based on their faith and the fact that they act in a different manner to the rest of society. Even voting can be a cumbersome event given the raciest and biasness in the poll workers themselves. This being said, the similarities between Mr. Yoder and Dr. King are astoundingly similar. They are 2 sides of the same coin. What baffles me is how you do not comprehend this simple fact therefore must not posses the even the intellect of a simpleton. Therefore, once you see what it is that Mr. Yoder is trying to accomplish, I am sure, that you will be all to happy to post your most gracious appology.

Posted by: Harris on May 7, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Hillary admitted to Leno what she said was a lie. Oh, she giggled about it, and used precious little phrases like, "mis-spoke", but a lie by any other name.... And it's HARDLY "racist" to comprehend that a man going to a political campaign function and finally deciding to use an existing right (without confrontation!) is NOT AT ALL SIMILAR to a man living with constant tension, fear and repeated attacks not only without proper protection from the authorities, but often instigated BY those authorities, and being beaten, stabbed, spit on, and shot, all so his people-ALL people -whether they approved of his efforts or not, could be treated with dignity and respect. That's like saying if I don't think a boy scout is the same as a veteran Marine that I'm "judgmental". Apparently, none of you really know what Dr.King actually went through, nor why he did so, which hardly makes me the ignorant one. I'm glad you're all so proud of Yoder, but I feel you are diminishing Dr.King to express it.

Posted by: malchom Location: gary on May 7, 2008 at 07:48 PM
how can you consider the amish a minority? im blak and have been fighting this minority crap for a long time. at least the amish dont get racist stuff thrown at them.

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 7, 2008 at 07:27 PM
To WHAT??/Indiana May 7. Just have to ask. Is their someone there holding a gun to your head making you log on to WNDU and forcing you to read those HORRIBLE JUDGEMENT BOARDS? If not you could solve a great problem in your life just by ignoring them.

Posted by: Gary Location: goshen on May 7, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Now we need to get everybody to vote in November. All minorities...including the Amish. This is a historical election. Hopefully we get a dream ticket...Obama/Hillary....I have a dream...That is to see Republicans out of office. Thanks Gary from Goshen

Posted by: NEED TO KNOW Location: SB on May 7, 2008 at 04:50 PM
I need to know where I can find one of those cool straw hats the Yoders wear.

Posted by: Samantha Location: Napanee on May 7, 2008 at 04:44 PM
I have to say that after reading all of these comments, i am honored to know Carl Yoder as well. He is a very well spoken and intelligent man that has a heart felt conviction for all that he believes in. He is a great husband and father! He and his wife have been married for about a decade and he is also the father of my children ( Ezra - 2 and Jeb - 4). I would stand behind Carl with all my heart and I admire the fact that so many people are comparing him to Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted by: booey Location: elkhart on May 7, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I really think that this is great that Carl Yoder went out to show his support. Or maybe he is interested in Chelsea- not Hillary. Maybe he is looking for a wife! I don't know how well Chelsea would fit in on the farm. Churning Butter? Making bread. No electricity? What would she do when her Blackberry wouldn't have service?

Posted by: Davis-Girl Location: elkhart on May 7, 2008 at 04:08 PM
i personally know Carl Yoder, he actually built my barn along with some of his neighbors and i think that he is a intelligent, passionate man who has courage and is standing up for what he believes in. people have to come to the realization that by having these comments, no one is going to change anyone's opinions so quit trying. these message boards are just fighting grounds. i won't try to change your mind and you don't try to change mine. but i do want to add that there is a reason that he has a beard. he is married and i had an affair with him. its kinda like barbara walters and that african american politician. i feel better now that its out in the open.

Posted by: M Location: V on May 7, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Next thing you know there's going to be a Carl Yoder Drive in Shipshe. I definitely would not go down that road.

Posted by: Chavo Melendez Vasquez Guerro Location: Goshen on May