If Republicans are so sure they can win the vote, why do they keep passing laws making it hard for Democrats to vote?

by NewChapter 159 Replies latest members politics

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  NewChapter

  Why is there a unified effort by Republican law makers to make voting more difficult--which generally affects Democratic voters since it targets students, elderly and the poor?

  Maine: For 38 years they've had same day registration. Abolished by Republicans

  Ohio: Shortened early voting time--regardless of long lines and sometimes difficult access to polls. They are also trying to pass the most restrictive voter ID requirement in the nation.

  South Carolina: The supreme court ruled that students could vote in the town they went to college. States generally accepted student ID's. No longer in South Carolina. Why?

  Florida: Makes it harder for 3rd party groups to register voters. The League of Women Voters--Non-partisan, must end their voter registration efforts in Florida. The League of Women voters have played a strong role for many years in helping people register. Why are they forced out?

  Kansas: Requires specific type of photo ID's now. Between 1997 and 2000 there were only 7 convictions on voter fraud--so what's the problem? In those 7 convictions, none would have been prevented by Kansas' new voter restriction laws. What's up with that?

  There are stories of 9 elderly nuns being turned away at polls. After a lifetime of voting, they were told they weren't allowed. They really had no need for a government issued photo ID.

  Does this bother Republicans at all? Do you think your party is over reachiing? Do you value the right to vote for all, or for just your own party. If, as they like to say, the American people have spoken (through the voting polls) why are they sooooo afraid to let traditionally democratic voters vote? Don't they think they could win a fair election?

  Forty states in all have enacted laws to restrict voting rights. The Republicans seem . . . . Scared? One thing if very, very clear. Voter fraud is not threatening our system. Republican policy clearly is.

  NC
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  designs

  The great conservative thinkers are leaving the GOP, it has become the Party of animal culling on steriods. This is why we xJWs should take the opportunity to be involved in Politics and in our Communities. You don't want to wake up some morning and find your streets filled with kids in Brown Shirts and Khakis like in Poland circa the late 30's. This country, this planet and humanity need our efforts in protecting them from extreme ideologues on either end of the political spectrum.
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  NewChapter

  As much as I generally disagree with conservatives, I never even considered trying to silence them and their vote. That is what the democratic process is all about. I love that process. Why don't Republican leaders show the same love? Are they really doing the will of their every day supporters? Are they just protecting their own power. Does the average Republican really support suppressing votes?

  I'm just really curious about this. I think they are over reaching, because I just can't picture my Republican friends trying to suppress my vote because we disagree. I could be wrong, but I just don't want to believe that the people I know would sink to such levels.

  NC
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  designs

  20571-

  Laying down in the middle of the road and waiting for the Semi Truck is not part of my makeup. Nelson Mandela looked an impossible situation in the face with South African and challenged the population to change. The Poet and Activist Cabral fought for Human rights for decades until his death. Here we have great challenges and each of us needs to be an Activist for Human Rights. You for mine and I for you.
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  NewChapter

  You for mine and I for you.

  Wouldn't that be beautiful designs? If we say to each other "I'd like to smash you over the head with a ballot, but I want to make sure you get a ballot"? Again I say, I don't think average Republicans want to take that from us. I think their leadership is abusing their power.

  NC
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  designs

  NC-

  It will be interesting in this Presidential campaign to see where the Big Money flows, which GOP candidate gets the nod from the Big Dogs.
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  NewChapter

  Considering the available candidates, it totally makes sense that they would seek to suppress our vote. I've said this several times, but Republican leadership has seriously done their party wrong. They allowed the loonies to take the field, and now only a loon will win the primary but never the general. If my party ever does that to me, I'dll be seriously pissed. Level headed conservatives should consider creating a viable party.

  NC
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  designs
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  NewChapter

  Well we made a little bit of progress. Ohio was all set to pass a strict, photo id, voter suppression bill. I called my state senator to add my voice to the resistence. The vote was dropped! Kasich has been ruling like a steam roller, but somehow this was dropped. I just learned that there was even more disturbing language in the bill. It also wanted to require a full SS#. It sounds like this was added by extreme members and the wording has been removed. Ohio doesn't include SS#s on driver's licenses anymore. I don't think state id's do. Some people don't have their card and some people don't have numbers. WHAT is motivating to even try such a bold move? Because we're sure the courts would have overturned at least that part, it just makes me more sure than ever that the motives are NOT to prevent voter fraud, but to rig elections.

  Clearly Kasich will not be reelected. His SB 5 bill will be repealed in November. We only needed 300K signatures on the petition, we got 4 times that. They are in full panic mode now. It's a shame. All they had to do was listen to us and stop worrying about their selfish agendas.

  NC
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  noni1974

  It's funny you should mention that bill here in Ohio NewChapter. I carry my voter registration card with me everywhere. I don't know why I just do.