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THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW, July 18, 2012 -- Rachel talks with Michael Waldman, President of Brennan Center for Justice about the new challenges facing poor, elderly and minority voters in this election and why new Voter ID laws are more about placing barriers to voting than preventing voter fraud.
Posted By: Richard Kigel
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 11:24AM
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There is still no question in my mind that Republicans are the best, because they can do whatever they like and no one can do anything to stop them from playing dirty... not Democrats or Independents. I salute them for being able to use their money and influence to do what they can to insure they can or at least try to win. Having said that, "I'll have to say that although there are some decisions that President Obama has made that I don't agree with I STILL think he's the better choice.
If I were Democrats, I'd be hitting the GOP hard with how they have done all that they can to do nothing while Congress was in session just to make it like he's been a failure. Also, I can't really feel sorry for the disinfranchises but at the same time I believe that it takes determination to get around the laws that are being made... Even better than this... being proactive to insure that the laws never get a vote by being active in one's community to call attention to the unfairness.
This being proactive is something that ppl don't do which allows new voter laws to take root. Perhaps I could be wrong, but I think I am entitled to my opinion.
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 1:03PM
Jen Fad
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Hey Jen--Always great to see your opinion.
I think this is really important for this upcoming election because it will be close. Every vote counts. And that is why so many GOP state legislatures were jonesing to get these Voter ID laws on the books in time for November.
It's true that people need to show determination to vote--but for some people, many in fact, it puts them in an impossible position. There is nothing they can do to qualify for the "free" state issued photo ID. Either their original birth certificate is lost or the office they need to go to to get it is ridiculously far away. It does put an undue burden on many people.
Yes, the photo IDs are free. But the documents needs to acquire them are not. Since voting is a guaranteed right in our Constitution, any fee for the ability to vote constitutes a "poll tax" and is illegal.
Let's see what remedies the courts can provide.
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 1:40PM
Richard Kigel
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I hear you, but I ain't listening to excuses though... where were those folk when this was coming down the pipe? Did they proactively go to their elected officials to protest or canvas their neighborhoods to gather momentum for the issue with signing of petitions? Perhaps some did, but probably most didn't. You see Bro. Rich this is the ongoing dilemma in the African American community, our people like to play the victims when in fact there was no plan put in motion to stop the turn of events from occuring. Then at the end of the day, we like to cry 'woe its me'. At some point, one has to stop being the victim and start doing something more to empower one's self rather looking for pity and sympathy (which hasn't done one thing to help our situations).
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 10:39PM
Jen Fad
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Sister Jen, this is the dilemma of the American People for a long time. Give an inch and they take a mile.
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 10:55PM
Steve Williams
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But trust me, this will be a landslide victory for Mr. Obama. We do have only two choices.
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 11:10PM
Steve Williams
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Jen--Yes, the legilsation happened right before our eyes. And yes, those opposed did object, protest and threaten legal action. But when the GOP has the votes and the motivation to make it happen, they did. Opponents were powerless to stop them.
I recall watching this happen over and over again in state after state...and feeling like--can't anything be done about this?
Apparently, the courts are the last opportunity. AFter that--vote those guys out and replace them with lawmakers who will repeal the law.
Until then, it is important to get out the vote--especially in swing states and especially in the AFrican-American community.
In my opinion, this consequences of this election are too great to sit back. Every vote counts.
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 11:29AM
Richard Kigel
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Steve:
Well Obama won PA by a substantial margin in 2008--but this year it is too close for comfort. And don't forget--your state has Vot er ID laws that will disenfranchise thousands of AFrican-American voters because they will not be able to produce the birth certificates or marriage cetficates or any other certificates they need to obtain their FREE state photo ID.
So every vote counts.
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 11:31AM
Richard Kigel
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@ Bro. Rich
...Opponents were powerless to stop them...
I'm sure you've read the Pied Piper, eh? Theres a line there that states, "He who pays the piper, dictates the tune" and for me that explains the GOP. They have long been dictating the tune of Americans. It's understandable though that many folk will continue with the oh woe its me, but I've long since distances myself from the average sentiment of my community. I've said it and I will say it again, "Apathy is what the African American community is riddled with and many are far removed from the issues until say somebody Black is brutilized by someone White; then Rev. Al is called on the scene to make some noise... And noise is what it is. Nothing happens and then there is the dog chasing its tail until the next cry comes.
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 12:23PM
Jen Fad
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As for the American ppl giving inches and taking miles... you hit the nail on its head once again! It's a really pathetic story in my opinion and I try to make sure I balance my view, but its been hard for me to do at times. What really gets me is that many of us are ignorant and continue to allow the news media to brainwash us like the pimp does the prostitute in thinking that he actually wants to provide her what she needs. Puhleeze. Americans Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Please is what I say.
We have to become more involved in the politics of our local community govt but many don't care and continue to allow others to make the laws for our communities. It's been this way forever and a day since Intergration.
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 12:29PM
Jen Fad
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Jen--you make a valid point about the world of difference between "making noise" and wielding actual power to influence events.
I don't have to tell you where power is concentrated. Those at the top act always to preserve their power.
One of the few ways folks can gain power is through legislation--actually making laws addressing their needs and concerns, whether it is on a federal, state, city or local level.
That is why voting is particularly important. It really does make it difference who is making the laws for a community.
That is my main point. Let's do what we have to do to vote out of power those who make laws that trample on us--and vote in power those who will make laws that will actually help.
But, we need to get out and VOTE!!!
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 12:32PM
Richard Kigel
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Sister Irma. Sister Jen, Brother Rich,
Don't forget, we are the voice. Whatever we say goes. No worries as I say again. All we need is to be diligent.
Let's not forget about ballot access laws, that's what it's all about. Until then, Romney is out, is all I can say.
Obama will win, hands down.
Sunday, July 22nd 2012 at 10:29PM
Steve Williams
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Debates?
hey steve and sweetIrmas Paul was the master of twoFace Romney, our mormon guy on a bike.......in their Debates
President Baraka Hussein Obama will win, hands down.
Monday, July 23rd 2012 at 9:15AM
powell robert
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@rICH, UNLESS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT HAS BEEN REPEALED AND REPLACED THEN THIS ABOUT THE BIRTH CERTIFIC, ECT IS JUST A SMOKE SCREENE THA AS USUAL BEING ABLE TO OVER RULE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE REALWORLD. (SMILE)
BUT, THEN THEY DO HAVE US BELIEVING ROE V WADE IS NOT A LAW OF OUR LAND DON'T THEY???...THAT MINORITYS ARE THE MAJORITY IN PA. AND THE LAST THING ANY SUPPORITNING JIM CROW WANTS IS AN ANGRY BLACK MAN, WOMAN IN AMERICA...SO PLEASE TRUST ME WHEN I SAY BALCKS ARE A UNITED PEOPLE WHEN NEEDED AND A BLACK BLOC WINS 110% OF THE TIME CALLED. LOL!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...PLUS OUR CULTURE DEMANDS WE PROTECT OUR ELERS, P-E-R-I-O-D!!! (SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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mE, "I" SHALL JUS T STICK WITH EACH POLITICIAN GETS INTO OFFICE O-N-E VOTE AT A TIME...
but then it does tend to have us say we the voter is not the government as the lazy way out of not taking on being responsible for what we end up with...so far I believe about the only credit we in America can take right now is we are no longer a #1 nation and still sinking fast, fast, fast and faster. (nup)
Me, I do that little unheard of unacceptable voting practice...I study the candidate's past, present and future not the price of the lie in the ads...
ROMENY'S PAYING NOT TAXES IS LEGAL JUST LIKE THAT GUY WHO KILLED AND INJURED ALL OF TOSE INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THAT MOVIE THEATER USED 'LGAL GUNS' I WONDER WHY WE REFUSE TO SAY HE USED WEPONS OF MASS DISTRUCTION????OH THAT IS FOR USE ON MUSLIMS NOT CHRISTIANS, RIGHT, MY BAD!! (NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@jEN,AS IT SEEM NO bLACK DID THE MASS KILLING IN THE BATMAN MOVIE AND IT DON'T SEEM TH EMAJORITY OF TOSE HARMED WER PEOPLE OF COLOR...COULD TIS HAVE SOMETING TO DO WITH WHAT W ENDB CALL CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THINGS WILL ALWAYS BALANCE OUT...AND "i" DIRECT YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE IN TH MEDICAL FIELD SO ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THE HEALTHCARE BILL WILL TIS GOVERNOR NOT ACCEPT TO PAY FOR ALL OF TIS EMERGANCY CARE...I DID HEAR THE GOVERNOR IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE SAY HE WAS SO SLEEPY HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WA S SAYING BUT HE DOES LOOK FORWARD FOR OUR P RESIDENT TO SEND HIS STATE HELP!!!!....
AND SO FAR I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE IN THE GOP OR THE TEPARTY CONDEMNING HIM FOR SEEKING B-I-G-G-E-R GOVERNMENT NOR OUR PRESIDENT SPENDING T-A-X- PAYERS MONIES...ANY ANSWR FOR TIS ABOUT FACE???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (ROTFLMAO IN THE WORLD OF FACTS AND THE G-O-D-S TRUTH IN CHRISTIAN AMERICA AS THE WORSHIPING AT THE ALTER OF GREED AND BRAIN SEAD VOTERS....GOING WHERE WITH ALL OF TIS TRYING TO TOP US FROM VOTING....
THEY COULD NOT STOP US FROM VOTING WHENWE KNEW WE WOULD END UP HANGING FROM A ROPE OF A TREE...SO GROW UP AND LEARNSOMETING ABOUT BLACK POWER AS IT IS NOT AS THE POWERS THAT BE TEACHES YOU...THE NOI AND THELATIN O WILL TAKE UP ANY NEEDED VOTING SLACK...AGAIN EARN A LITTLE OF HOW WE HAVE MANAGED TO SURVIVE GREATER OBSTICLES THAN THESE AS TIS IS ONLY CILDS PLAY AND IDLE GOSSIP ON WE WILLL NOT VOTE....
WE ARE NOW THE MAJORITY IN THESE DEEP SOUTHERN STATES...AGAIN EDUCATE!!!EDUCATE!!!EDUCATE!!! BACK (ROTFLMAO) (SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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