EDITED TO ADD: This thread makes me cry.
So, I didn't read the whole paper today. But I did read this piece on how Republicans are obsessed with going after voter fraud. Which isn't an all bad project. Voter fraud is bad - it undercuts the franchise and waters down my vote after all. What's crazy, though, is that there's been no evidence of systematic fraud, but the DOJ (under Republican orders) prosecuting *individuals* who commit voter fraud - something that's usually not done. Why are these people usually not charged with anything? 'Cause most of the time it's an innocent mistake, and it's actually hard to prove ("I registered twice on accident, and voted only once though.") But, the Republicans are nailing convicted felons and non-citizens who get confused and try to vote. Awesome!
But, why are they doing this? What's the point? Part of it is, I'm sure paranoia. Clearly, this administration has a problem with that. It could be about intimidation too. It's a lot of brown people (who tend to vote Democratic) who get caught up in these cases. So, this could be about making people afraid to vote. I don't think it's THAT though. I mean, I'm sure lowered turnout for minorities could be a result of this - but that's probably more of an unintended consequence.
Apparently, this is a huge Republican issue - Karl Rove talks about it all the time: there's this massive voter fraud, and Democrats are screwing us! I think this is really a campaign issue. It's a twisted version of "running against Washington." So, Republicans can claim how system is fucked and they're going to fix it. It's basically a way to prove how much we need Republicans, to undo the vileness of those terrible Democrats who let such villiany just unfold (or are even behind it!).
Eve better, this kind of rhetoric also legitimates a really ruthless, ugly politics: the other side is cheating, so now WE have to fight dirty too. It's like a delusion being deployed to rationalize being a total fucking prick. It is not the kind of thing that is healthy for the discourse, to say the least.
So, I didn't read the whole paper today. But I did read this piece on how Republicans are obsessed with going after voter fraud. Which isn't an all bad project. Voter fraud is bad - it undercuts the franchise and waters down my vote after all. What's crazy, though, is that there's been no evidence of systematic fraud, but the DOJ (under Republican orders) prosecuting *individuals* who commit voter fraud - something that's usually not done. Why are these people usually not charged with anything? 'Cause most of the time it's an innocent mistake, and it's actually hard to prove ("I registered twice on accident, and voted only once though.") But, the Republicans are nailing convicted felons and non-citizens who get confused and try to vote. Awesome!
But, why are they doing this? What's the point? Part of it is, I'm sure paranoia. Clearly, this administration has a problem with that. It could be about intimidation too. It's a lot of brown people (who tend to vote Democratic) who get caught up in these cases. So, this could be about making people afraid to vote. I don't think it's THAT though. I mean, I'm sure lowered turnout for minorities could be a result of this - but that's probably more of an unintended consequence.
Apparently, this is a huge Republican issue - Karl Rove talks about it all the time: there's this massive voter fraud, and Democrats are screwing us! I think this is really a campaign issue. It's a twisted version of "running against Washington." So, Republicans can claim how system is fucked and they're going to fix it. It's basically a way to prove how much we need Republicans, to undo the vileness of those terrible Democrats who let such villiany just unfold (or are even behind it!).
Eve better, this kind of rhetoric also legitimates a really ruthless, ugly politics: the other side is cheating, so now WE have to fight dirty too. It's like a delusion being deployed to rationalize being a total fucking prick. It is not the kind of thing that is healthy for the discourse, to say the least.
VIEW 10 of 10 COMMENTS
nickfaust:
Not at all.
toothpickmoe:
It's better than the alternative. Oh, wait, maybe not...