By John Kanelis / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com
A critic of this blog wants to know how Texas’s efforts to restrict voting is an “assault on democracy,” as President Biden has described it.
I’ll take the bait and offer what I believe is an explanation for all to read.
It’s an assault because our form of representative democracy — as I have understood it — intends to make voting easier for all Americans. Thus, states and local governments have enacted early-voting laws; they have given citizens a chance to cast ballots in a variety of ways; they have sought to extend early-voting days and hours to enable citizens to have their voices heard.
Texas Republicans along with their GOP colleagues in several other states have determined that such voting initiatives also lead to corruption of the voting process. They have concocted the Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election about “rampant vote fraud” where it did not exist and have projected it onto efforts to restrict access to those who wish to vote. The Texas GOP legislative caucus also wants to give judges more power to overturn election results.
One of the tragic consequences of this effort is that the GOP isĀ targeting minority voters who — get a load of this — tend to vote Democratic. Shocking, yes? Rather than seeking to compete head to head with Democrats over their ideas and policies, Republicans instead are seeking to restrict access to all eligible U.S. citizens.
Where I come from, I consider all of that taken together to be an assault on democracy. The Texas Democratic legislative caucus has stalled the GOP assault — if only temporarily. The Legislature likely willĀ reconvene soon in special session to figure out a new strategy to continue its attack on our democratic process. I hope Democrats hold firm.
This brief response likely won’t persuade my blog critic friend of anything. I just felt the need to clear the air.
Youāre right it didnāt persuade. You gave an interpretation and not facts on HOW. Maybe give specifics on how and not interpretation on intent. Like how is it targeting minority voters? Should we not have strict guidelines on our voting process? I think I read you at least agree with voter IDās which most Democratic leaders donāt feel they are needed and target minorities.
Well, OK. We’ll just disagree on that one.
So, you donāt have an answer on how itās targeting minorities? Iāve yet to hear anyone state exactly how itās targeting. They kee playing the card, but donāt actually give explanations.
If you have never been discriminated against, itās impossible to recognize all the ways it can happen.
Voting is easy for someone (us) with flexibility in their schedule and their own transportation. Not so easy for a single working mother, of father, with no car, limited income and a 6 day/week 8-10 hour job.
Regarding your comment about Democrats not wanting an ID, I think you made that up.
If Republicans want all legal voters to have a reasonable opportunity to vote, they would concentrate on the ID process. Reducing the days, hours and number of voting locations is indefensible.
You asked for answers. I gave you some.
Now you answer this, how does limiting the days, hours and number of poling locations/drop boxes help insure the voters are legal voters?
From Pelosiās Heroes Act:
āIf a state has a voter identification requirement to cast a ballot in-person or by mail, an individual may make a sworn written statement attesting to their identity to fulfill the identification requirement.ā
So, sheās okay with someone simply signing a statement saying āyep, this is meā and not showing an actual ID. Schumer signed off on this as well. Sounds pretty much they are against voter ID.
I wonāt say limiting days will secure elections. We all know itās logical thinking the longer a process a higher risk of wrong doing by someone. Thatās not just for elections. That would be virtually any process. I think elections should in as a narrow window as possible, but fair.