Editor,
This bill addresses much needed voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending and ethics for the three branches of government. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration and voting access and limits removing voters from voter rolls.
If voting was made easier, roadblocks removed, and all eligible voters secured equal chance to exercise their constitutional rights — it would be much harder for Republicans to get into controlling positions — like what even a Republican attorney recently admitted to the Supreme Court. Think about how good that would be for the country. We would have a much better chance of putting real leaders like President Obama into the most powerful position in the world, while avoiding total misfits, like inept, unpresidential and incompetent Trump. Likewise, for the House and the Senate, making it much more possible for the country to reach its tremendous potential and becoming a more respected and admired model for the rest of the world, rather than mindlessly setting us back compared to the more progressive nations.
At the latest count, 43 states have adopted 253 voter suppression bills. The reason is obvious, yet dishonest and unconstitutional. And for the Trump’s big lie about the election stolen from him, isn’t it enough that the constantly lying Trump says so, to realize it ain’t so — which has actually been proven over and over again? Why don’t we grow up and become a democracy, like the Founding Fathers intended!
Or, too much socialized equality?
Jorg Aadahl
San Mateo
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(11) comments
Hey Jorg - If you believe that signature verification, proof of citizenship and a photo ID constitutes voter suppression, which is what the 43 states require, then you are right. You try to get on an airplane, drive a car, get SS benefits, etc. without an aforementioned ID? Also, if you believe that mail-in ballots without verification, voting after the fact and ballot harvesting are so OK, Yes, then you will have a one party government. Let's roll out California as the example of great living for the rest of the country. You don't appear to learn from history, but many presidents from the Democratic Party, Roosevelt, Trump, Kennedy, Johnson and even your hero Obama were elected without the shenanigans of HR-1. Which voters were suppressed during those elections? HR-1 is a power grab that will destroy our political system, no opposition will be allowed. Let's pray that the Republicans have enough fortitude to stall this bill and take it to the Supreme Court.
Correction - not Trump but Truman.
Jorg
Thanks for your honesty. You clearly want to eliminate the possible election of persons who do not share your political opinions.
A couple of important points... the founders did not intend to create a democracy as you have suggested. They purposely and purposefully created a constitutional federal republic. You will not find the term "democracy" in the Constitution. Secondly... I'm not sure what you mean by "socialized equality" because you will not find the term "equality" in the original Constitutional. However, you will find the guarantee of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights. Those ten amendments became the law of the land a couple of years after the Constitution was ratified.
"We the People" includes you and other liberals... and it also includes conservatives plus persons who do not identify with any political party. You have made it very clear that the only people you want represented in government are those on the left side of the political aisle.
See you around the borscht bowl, comrade.
It is interesting to note that Jorg refers to the progressive countries of Northern Europe as the utopia of voter freedom. Clearly he has not kept up with their voter eligibility requirements. Look it up on the Nordic websites. In all Scandinavian countries one must be at least 18 years old (HR-1 would allow 16 year old to vote), one must be registered in the respective country as a citizen, voting by mail is restricted, and lastly one must produce a photo ID when voting in person. All of these provisions in Jorg's progressive countries that he hunkers for are eliminated in HR-1. Real progress, Jorg??
Um... Dirk
Don't confuse the issue with facts...
It's unlikely you will see a cogent response rebutting your comments. Let me add something to the mix. One country in the 1990s started issuing a national voter card which included an photo ID. Why were such cards issued to the citizens of that country? To prevent voter fraud and corrupt elections. Voters were required to show their voter ID card at the polling place before they voted. Oh, yeah... what country took this simple step to guarantee the fairness of its elections? Mexico.
Hi Ray - it seems that we are the last country in which voter ID is a basic requirement. I am more familiar with the Netherlands and El Salvador. In both countries one wouldn't dare show up at a polling place without that photo ID. I was a poll worker here for several years and many voters expressed surprised that we did not ask for an ID. In many cases they presented it anyway.
Blah, blah, blah, another week, another JUNC (Jorg’s Unbalanced Nonsense Claptrap) letter. Anything from Democrats that say it’s for the people definitely is false advertising. And what you call voter suppression is actually voter verification. BTW, everyone knows the election was stolen.
Blah, blah, blah, another waste of good electrons. BTW, the only people besides Trump that are delusional about the election being stolen are MTG, QAnon and the rest of the tinfoil hat society.
With the exception of the usual “blah-blah” commentator, you all understood what I meant! For those who pay attention and stay informed, and honest enough to admit it, also understand that the frantic Republican voter suppression attempts, are a survival trick. Past history has shown there is absolutely no reason for their “voter integrity” ideas. All it serves is to prevent certain groups of voters from exercising their constitutional rights, - groups that favor Democrats more than Republicans. Nothing new there, and very transparent, - if you can handle the truth: Republicans are losing if all eligible voters are allowed to vote. Plain and simple.
Jorg - you never elaborated on the voter suppression issue ostensibly pushed by the Republicans. As many of us have said, your version of voter integrity flies in the face of common sense. No proof of citizenship, no photo ID, mail in ballots to anyone and all, no signature verification and extended voting periods even beyond the election day. Is that what you think enhances integrity? If it does I have a bridge for sale. voter perpat
Dirk: Of course, you have to prove who you are and that you’re registered as a voter. That’s a given. What we are talking about, are all the limitations of accessibility and options that should be equally available to all voters. Heavy fines if you try to cheat, is fine with me, even deportation if you’re undocumented.
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