With family income slashed, Harris - like Triplett - is making changes. He used to dine at restaurants three or four nights a week while his wife, a Washington County Hospital nurse whose job provides the family with health insurance, worked the second shift. But now he eats at home.
There will be no vacation at the Outer Banks this year, and fewer car trips.
Harris registered as a Democrat years ago. But the last Democratic president Harris recalls supporting was Jimmy Carter.
Harris thinks Obama has better plans for the economy. "If Obama gets in, I think things would change financially," he said. "I think the economy would be better. I feel like that's his main issue."
It's an important issue for Harris, too. But just as important, in his mind, as national security. There, he gives McCain the edge. He's planning on voting for the Republican. He also supports McCain's plans for more offshore oil drilling and a gas tax holiday.
McCain, he said, "can get people who know the economy" to advise him, making up for shortcomings.
But neither candidate can change what Harris views as a fundamental problem dragging the economy: unmotivated people with bad attitudes. He saw a lot of that at the factory.
"There's a lot of people in this country who don't want to work," Harris said.
He's not one of them. But at the moment, he's not getting what he wants.
david.nitkin@baltsun.com
