Today’s paper featured a small story about the dismissal of two Democrats who were members of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Board of Elections. Their removal was ordered because they had the audacity to want to make early voting more convenient for the citizens of the county by offering extended evening and weekend hours. Officially, they were removed because they failed to follow the directive of the Republican Secretary of State, who ordered all counties to follow the same hours for early voting, not allowing for any additional weekend hours, which had been used in the past and were popular with the electorate. As a nation, we demand long hours for our retail stores and fast food outlets, but incredibly we draw the line at making it easier to vote. The story has made national news, but I doubt if too many people are really paying attention.
The real issue is who casts votes when it is easier to vote. Apparently, the data indicates that more Democrats than Republicans take advantage of longer hours or weekend voting opportunities. In Ohio, the Republicans control the Governor’s Mansion as well as both houses of the legislature, and Ohio is also rightly viewed as a key swing state for the upcoming presidential election. Because of this, the Republicans are doing everything in their power to prevent members of the opposition party from casting votes in the upcoming elections. They offer up the phantom problem of voter fraud as a reason. Statistical evidence indicates that voter fraud is so small of a problem in our country as to be considered inconsequential. Former Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin would be proud of the people who shut down this concept of convenient voting hours.
Based on the most recent U.S. Census, this year saw Ohio adopting a redistricting plan prepared by the majority party. Most observers saw it as a rather obvious attempt to redraw district lines that allow the incumbents to more easily retain their jobs. Some people were rightly outraged, although most paid little or no attention to the situation. Finally, the citizens of the state saw the problem for what it was (historically it has been known as Gerrymandering) and initiated a drive to collect enough signatures to put the issue of redistricting to a vote in the upcoming election. I hope the voters will see the need to change the status quo and do what is right.
So what’s the big deal about voting districts and voting hours? My view is that if we truly believe that a democratically elected republican form of government is what we think is the best way to rule our country, then the voting process should be as easy as possible and the government elected should really be representative of the wishes of its people. Doesn’t that make sense? Isn’t that right and fair?
Historically, it was not always this way in the United States. Originally, after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, only white, land-owning men were allowed to vote. Our country was really more of an oligarchy, ruled by the privileged few, than the democracy promised by the American Revolution. Women were not given the right to vote in the U.S. until 1920. Apparently, there is a growing faction in this country who would have us return to “the good old days.”
I am so sick and tired of this petty squabbling between the political parties that would lead us. It’s bad enough to suffer through endless attack ads on TV that tell us nothing, but trying to stifle voting is totally reprehensible. If we are to have a democracy, then let it be representative of the peoples’ wishes. Put an end to Senate filibusters that prevent government action. If you don’t want your government to act, put it to a vote and let the majority decide. Don’t let forty wealthy Senators dictate what is best for you.
As a people, we have come to believe that if we elect the right person for President, he or someday perhaps she, will see to it that our country will once again be set on the right course. Guess what? It really doesn’t work that way. Wake up and look around! Our current President has tried to pass legislation that would put millions of people to work repairing our crumbling infrastructure, protecting us, and teaching our children. But a handful of powerful people has blocked his efforts and would see him fail, no matter what it will eventually cost our nation.
Wisely choosing our next President isn’t enough. As Americans, we must endeavor to pay attention to the seemingly little things that have much greater power to influence our well being than we realize. Things like Congressional Redistricting, voting rights and the Senate Filibuster Rule will have a much greater impact on your life than the next man who occupies the White House. Pay attention to the people running your county government and your schools. Choose the best state representatives that you can, and see to it that they adhere to our principles of democracy. See that the person that wants your vote to serve as your next Congressman or Senator stands for your values and will do what is best for our country. Oh, and choose wisely for the person you would have as your next President.
“The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
-Josef Stalin
Please note that Pennsylvania's new voter ID law is designed to stop people who are more likely to vote for Democrats and that Florida's purge of voting lists has disenfranchised a very high proportion of Dems as well. Republicans are out to win back the White House at any cost, even if it's dishonest. I thought we finished fighting Fascists in WWII. Wrong again! We grew our own.
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