Last night, commentator Kevin Williamson published a piece in National Review justifying voter suppression by suggesting that “the republic would be better served by having fewer—but better—voters.” Representatives, he says, “are people who act in other people’s interests,” which is different from doing what voters want.
As much as this history of the right to vote is interesting, may I remind all of you that more than half the population of the United States did not win the right to vote until 1920. I use the word win quite deliberately. Women were not given the right to vote. They fought for it -- long and hard. We need to fight for universal suffrage now. We the People, All of Us This Time!
What a viscous circle. We don’t want them educated because we can’t pull the wool over their eyes. They shouldn’t be allowed to vote because they aren’t educated.
Then the states decide what is to be taught but it’s way too left leaning and even babies are being indoctrinated! Education isn’t liberal leftist rhetoric, it’s just enlightenment.
The conservative group doing a number on the school district where I work is not the majority view. But they are taking over! I’m sure they believe they know what is best for the misguided souls. I might be out of a job for saying things like people are mammals! It’s why we have to vote in local elections. To be heard!
This is so troubling. With gerrymandering the republicans have been able to take over so many state legislators. Now they are suppressing voter rights and seem to have control over our rights as human beings. ( the transgender law in Arkansas that was vetoed by the governor and overridden by the legislature) I had such a deep sense of relief when Trump was defeated and Biden became our president. I truly believe President Biden is working hard to not only undo the damage Trump did to our country, but also move us ahead as a healing and prosperous nation. I’m troubled and frustrated partly because it’s been a difficult year with Covid, and not just because I’m a nurse but as anyone who has struggled with loss and sadness. I start to see light peek through and have some hope for humanity. Then I read about the laws states are passing to make it difficult if not impossible for people of color, elderly and those who have to work 2 jobs to barely make ends meet. It’s really pathetic that the only way the republicans can win is by picking their voters and they know it. I learned in grade school that we, the voters, are supposed to be picking our representatives. Seems upside down. No wonder I’m frustrated.
From being a student -68 (in Sweden) I have been thinking that the ideologies refer to different ages, where legitimate conservatism belongs to being around 10, when you should be allowed to develop a sound egotism. Liberalism belongs to being teenager when you should be allowed to develop a sound personal freedom. Socialism belongs to the 20-ies, when you should discover that the world is greater than yourself and that you depend also on others.
Moreover I think fascism should be redefined to ’survival at the cost of others’, and not be attributed to any particular nation or time. Also that we survivors can realize that we are all standing on such a ground and acknowledge that. We may not want our time to be like our foundation when it is not necessary, because necessity makes the difference of what is legitimate or not.
Right, it "shouldn't surprise me." And I know who founded that high minded rag. But it does surprise me. It shocks me to the core.
And the wise Tom Cotton. "A major under-incarceration problem in America."
There was a moment, at least 30 second not that long ago, maybe two, three years before Trump, where even a few fairly prominent conservatives had come around to understanding that MORE prison is not the answer. That moment has passed.
And the Florida public university "veiw point test"?
It's hard to pick which of these three good ideas is the most un-American, the most dangerous.
Thank God this letter is almost the only news I'm reading right now.
So...speaking of "Stop the Steal"...isn't "stealing" exactly what these voter suppression laws are doing? Stealing the rights of Americans to vote? Seriously, how far are we from a dictatorship if this is allowed to occur?
I recommend reading "Wilmington's Lie" published January 2020 which describes Wilmington's white southern Democrats' violent overthrow of Republican multiracial government in North Carolina in 1898. "Red Shirts" self proclaimed "white supremacists" sprung up all over the state to intimidate, kill and banish blacks and whites who had prospered in business or were elected to positions respecting the black vote and a multiracial society. This book shows how mob rule, destructive, murder prone and ultimately autocratic white Americans are when bent on lies, conspiracy theories, "white power" and extremism. The white supremacists of Wilmington believed only they, the Democrats, with the mindset of today's Republicans, were fit to rule. This is our national history. Within my lifetime this has again become our present.
I would advocate that the US has undergone several holocausts on a scale similar to Germany's Nazi led Holocaust, all using racists politics. First, our taking property from and attempts to exterminate indigenous Native Americans, and blame for their circumstances by white Americans. Second, our taking slaves from Africa and then keeping them subjugated via violence, killings, preventing ownership, taking of property, suppression of voting & civil rights, incarceration, economical & political deprivation, and constant blame for everything imposed on them by white Americans.
White supremacy, right wing extremism, disinvestment in America, extraction of public resources, voter suppression is all tied up in one "Big Lie".
I was in college 1957-1960 in Texas. All students had to sign a card stating they were not and did not intend to be a member of the Communist Party. After reading Dr. Richardson’s newsletter, I’m reminded of McCarthy and the damage he caused to so many people. As he was asked and which seems to apply to many of today’s Republicans, “Have you no shame?” Considering the behaviors of many of our Republicans in office lately, I question the intelligence of the voters who elected them, including Kevin Williamson.
I wrote to my US Senator, MM and ask him to support H.R. one. On April 1, I received his office's canned reply that it was the right of the states to run elections. I haven't read the constitution since 11th grade - does it really say that? Ot did I receive an April fool's day reply?
Zowie, HCR. Thanks for doing the heavy lift of having to read all this dreck in order to report on it to those of us who don't have the stomach for it! My question is this: where the heck are the essays, op-eds, and well-publicized commentary of prominent political figures COUNTERING this stuff? Biden seems to be trying to present a voice of reason but he also seems not to be supported by other voices who are remarkably muted. Meanwhile Manchin publishes a headlined Op-Ed in the WaPo stating that he will never get rid of the filibuster and he won't vote for the infrastructure bill if it goes through the budget reconciliation process. So he is undercutting the president he claims to support and the party he claims to be a member of.
A characteristic of the radical right wing of fundamentalist Christianity is a demand that families in their communities be absolutely ruled--autocratically so--by a male head, who makes all decisions for all family members. This antediluvian approach to social ordering is what is being proposed in all of these anti-voter, pro-oligarchy commentaries. In addition, the writers of these commentaries seem utterly unaware that most of the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights--and the majority of early presidents before Andrew Jackson--were secularists, pantheists, and Unitarians. Jefferson created a version of the Bible with all the religious stuff edited out, a nod to conservative secularist David Hume's rejection, on the basis of logic and science, of the existence of miracles. He was appalling in other ways, as were all of those guys, and was an avowed elitist, but to claim some sort of Second Great Awakening (which occurred AFTER the Constitution was ratified) adherence to a form of Christianity that did not even exist in the 18th century in any great concentration is just plain stupid and lousy history. Which is the SOP of all of these white boyz.
If Williamson gets his way, then not only should low information representatives like Gaetz, Marjorie, Jordan and Cawthorn not be able to serve in Congress, they should also not be able to vote for whoever replaces them.
Republicans' push for voter suppression laws around the country are acts of desperation by a party in decline. They will do anything to regain power in Washington, regardless of their constituents' wishes on major legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan. In a conversation over dinner with a highly intelligent Republican friend, he maintained that the recently passed voter suppression law in our state, Georgia, actually expands voter rights. "How can removing 2/3 of ballot boxes, severely limiting absentee voting and restricting Black and Brown voters' access to the polls translate into greater voter participation?" I asked. He had no answer. Republican lies are sad and pathetic, but lying to ourselves is heartbreaking.
I'm still waiting for prominent Republicans to denounce the voter suppression movement in our country. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find Republican men and women of integrity and courage to speak the truth.
To me (as an ex- "resident alien") - the real issue is the dumbing down of the populace - and I have no idea how to overcome that. There are now too many sources of "information" screaming for attention. I suspect it's a sad case of "too little, and far too late". I am vaguely encouraged by the apparent finding that Republican voters are supporting the moves by Biden. But like all these things, there is a sting in the tail - given the size of the USA and the deterioration of much of its infrastructure - the environmental costs of trying to put things to rights, will be massive (and maybe trying to get back "yesterday", should not be the agenda).
For all the lofty rhetoric of Republicans now and in the 1850s about how the country should be governed, there's an unstated motivation — greed. They want to ensure that the wealthy make even more money at the expense of the overwhelming majority of Americans and the nation as a whole. They can rationalize what they do to the point of deceiving themselves, but their actions proclaim otherwise.
Here's an idea. Next time limit "better" voters to those who have had both shots, have a certified tax return, and can demonstrate they have taken a civics course. That would eliminate a majority of republicans.
Today’s letter reinforces my thought that “Republican” and “Democrat” are just words, especially when you realize that the parties have flipped when it comes to ideology. The real issue is the “haves” with wealth and power versus everyone else. The “haves” want to keep their wealth and accumulate more as a basis for maintaining their power. Everyone else is just a means to that end.
As much as this history of the right to vote is interesting, may I remind all of you that more than half the population of the United States did not win the right to vote until 1920. I use the word win quite deliberately. Women were not given the right to vote. They fought for it -- long and hard. We need to fight for universal suffrage now. We the People, All of Us This Time!
What a viscous circle. We don’t want them educated because we can’t pull the wool over their eyes. They shouldn’t be allowed to vote because they aren’t educated.
Then the states decide what is to be taught but it’s way too left leaning and even babies are being indoctrinated! Education isn’t liberal leftist rhetoric, it’s just enlightenment.
The conservative group doing a number on the school district where I work is not the majority view. But they are taking over! I’m sure they believe they know what is best for the misguided souls. I might be out of a job for saying things like people are mammals! It’s why we have to vote in local elections. To be heard!
Thank you Heather! For continuing to enlighten!
This is so troubling. With gerrymandering the republicans have been able to take over so many state legislators. Now they are suppressing voter rights and seem to have control over our rights as human beings. ( the transgender law in Arkansas that was vetoed by the governor and overridden by the legislature) I had such a deep sense of relief when Trump was defeated and Biden became our president. I truly believe President Biden is working hard to not only undo the damage Trump did to our country, but also move us ahead as a healing and prosperous nation. I’m troubled and frustrated partly because it’s been a difficult year with Covid, and not just because I’m a nurse but as anyone who has struggled with loss and sadness. I start to see light peek through and have some hope for humanity. Then I read about the laws states are passing to make it difficult if not impossible for people of color, elderly and those who have to work 2 jobs to barely make ends meet. It’s really pathetic that the only way the republicans can win is by picking their voters and they know it. I learned in grade school that we, the voters, are supposed to be picking our representatives. Seems upside down. No wonder I’m frustrated.
Olof Ribbing
From being a student -68 (in Sweden) I have been thinking that the ideologies refer to different ages, where legitimate conservatism belongs to being around 10, when you should be allowed to develop a sound egotism. Liberalism belongs to being teenager when you should be allowed to develop a sound personal freedom. Socialism belongs to the 20-ies, when you should discover that the world is greater than yourself and that you depend also on others.
Moreover I think fascism should be redefined to ’survival at the cost of others’, and not be attributed to any particular nation or time. Also that we survivors can realize that we are all standing on such a ground and acknowledge that. We may not want our time to be like our foundation when it is not necessary, because necessity makes the difference of what is legitimate or not.
Shame on National Review. Shame on them.
Right, it "shouldn't surprise me." And I know who founded that high minded rag. But it does surprise me. It shocks me to the core.
And the wise Tom Cotton. "A major under-incarceration problem in America."
There was a moment, at least 30 second not that long ago, maybe two, three years before Trump, where even a few fairly prominent conservatives had come around to understanding that MORE prison is not the answer. That moment has passed.
And the Florida public university "veiw point test"?
It's hard to pick which of these three good ideas is the most un-American, the most dangerous.
Thank God this letter is almost the only news I'm reading right now.
So...speaking of "Stop the Steal"...isn't "stealing" exactly what these voter suppression laws are doing? Stealing the rights of Americans to vote? Seriously, how far are we from a dictatorship if this is allowed to occur?
I recommend reading "Wilmington's Lie" published January 2020 which describes Wilmington's white southern Democrats' violent overthrow of Republican multiracial government in North Carolina in 1898. "Red Shirts" self proclaimed "white supremacists" sprung up all over the state to intimidate, kill and banish blacks and whites who had prospered in business or were elected to positions respecting the black vote and a multiracial society. This book shows how mob rule, destructive, murder prone and ultimately autocratic white Americans are when bent on lies, conspiracy theories, "white power" and extremism. The white supremacists of Wilmington believed only they, the Democrats, with the mindset of today's Republicans, were fit to rule. This is our national history. Within my lifetime this has again become our present.
I would advocate that the US has undergone several holocausts on a scale similar to Germany's Nazi led Holocaust, all using racists politics. First, our taking property from and attempts to exterminate indigenous Native Americans, and blame for their circumstances by white Americans. Second, our taking slaves from Africa and then keeping them subjugated via violence, killings, preventing ownership, taking of property, suppression of voting & civil rights, incarceration, economical & political deprivation, and constant blame for everything imposed on them by white Americans.
White supremacy, right wing extremism, disinvestment in America, extraction of public resources, voter suppression is all tied up in one "Big Lie".
I was in college 1957-1960 in Texas. All students had to sign a card stating they were not and did not intend to be a member of the Communist Party. After reading Dr. Richardson’s newsletter, I’m reminded of McCarthy and the damage he caused to so many people. As he was asked and which seems to apply to many of today’s Republicans, “Have you no shame?” Considering the behaviors of many of our Republicans in office lately, I question the intelligence of the voters who elected them, including Kevin Williamson.
I wrote to my US Senator, MM and ask him to support H.R. one. On April 1, I received his office's canned reply that it was the right of the states to run elections. I haven't read the constitution since 11th grade - does it really say that? Ot did I receive an April fool's day reply?
Zowie, HCR. Thanks for doing the heavy lift of having to read all this dreck in order to report on it to those of us who don't have the stomach for it! My question is this: where the heck are the essays, op-eds, and well-publicized commentary of prominent political figures COUNTERING this stuff? Biden seems to be trying to present a voice of reason but he also seems not to be supported by other voices who are remarkably muted. Meanwhile Manchin publishes a headlined Op-Ed in the WaPo stating that he will never get rid of the filibuster and he won't vote for the infrastructure bill if it goes through the budget reconciliation process. So he is undercutting the president he claims to support and the party he claims to be a member of.
A characteristic of the radical right wing of fundamentalist Christianity is a demand that families in their communities be absolutely ruled--autocratically so--by a male head, who makes all decisions for all family members. This antediluvian approach to social ordering is what is being proposed in all of these anti-voter, pro-oligarchy commentaries. In addition, the writers of these commentaries seem utterly unaware that most of the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights--and the majority of early presidents before Andrew Jackson--were secularists, pantheists, and Unitarians. Jefferson created a version of the Bible with all the religious stuff edited out, a nod to conservative secularist David Hume's rejection, on the basis of logic and science, of the existence of miracles. He was appalling in other ways, as were all of those guys, and was an avowed elitist, but to claim some sort of Second Great Awakening (which occurred AFTER the Constitution was ratified) adherence to a form of Christianity that did not even exist in the 18th century in any great concentration is just plain stupid and lousy history. Which is the SOP of all of these white boyz.
If Williamson gets his way, then not only should low information representatives like Gaetz, Marjorie, Jordan and Cawthorn not be able to serve in Congress, they should also not be able to vote for whoever replaces them.
Republicans' push for voter suppression laws around the country are acts of desperation by a party in decline. They will do anything to regain power in Washington, regardless of their constituents' wishes on major legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan. In a conversation over dinner with a highly intelligent Republican friend, he maintained that the recently passed voter suppression law in our state, Georgia, actually expands voter rights. "How can removing 2/3 of ballot boxes, severely limiting absentee voting and restricting Black and Brown voters' access to the polls translate into greater voter participation?" I asked. He had no answer. Republican lies are sad and pathetic, but lying to ourselves is heartbreaking.
I'm still waiting for prominent Republicans to denounce the voter suppression movement in our country. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find Republican men and women of integrity and courage to speak the truth.
To me (as an ex- "resident alien") - the real issue is the dumbing down of the populace - and I have no idea how to overcome that. There are now too many sources of "information" screaming for attention. I suspect it's a sad case of "too little, and far too late". I am vaguely encouraged by the apparent finding that Republican voters are supporting the moves by Biden. But like all these things, there is a sting in the tail - given the size of the USA and the deterioration of much of its infrastructure - the environmental costs of trying to put things to rights, will be massive (and maybe trying to get back "yesterday", should not be the agenda).
For all the lofty rhetoric of Republicans now and in the 1850s about how the country should be governed, there's an unstated motivation — greed. They want to ensure that the wealthy make even more money at the expense of the overwhelming majority of Americans and the nation as a whole. They can rationalize what they do to the point of deceiving themselves, but their actions proclaim otherwise.
Here's an idea. Next time limit "better" voters to those who have had both shots, have a certified tax return, and can demonstrate they have taken a civics course. That would eliminate a majority of republicans.
Today’s letter reinforces my thought that “Republican” and “Democrat” are just words, especially when you realize that the parties have flipped when it comes to ideology. The real issue is the “haves” with wealth and power versus everyone else. The “haves” want to keep their wealth and accumulate more as a basis for maintaining their power. Everyone else is just a means to that end.