Basic Civics

A group of men - no DEI as many now weaponize - borrowing from John Locke and the Magna Carta wrote a Declaration of Independence and then a framework for government, the Constitution.  That latter document had to be amended immediately ten times,  which is now called the Bill of Rights.  There are 10 of them- not just #2.  And for the love of life, stop misinterpreting that one.

But I digress.  The Constitution was and continues to be an imperfect document.  The Founding Fathers could not have anticipated bump stocks and automatic weapons, the Internet, diseases that could kill worldwide and leaders who would ignore every aspect of law and custom. Not the IRS or a president convicted of fraud suing our government for 10 billion dollars and no future audits for him and his family.  That has been dropped for more than a billion dollar slush fund probably for outraged billionaires. Or the next January 6th folks.... But I digress again.

To give the benefit of the doubt, back in the seminal time in America, the hope was that the country would continue to expand rights and democracy. After the inception of our country and the transition from colony to independent nation plus time, there were many changes.

People enslaved were finally freed.  From bondage not racism. And hi Mississippi, slavery did exist.  It was not a system in which people received free room and board and learned the basics of agriculture and beatings. There have been centuries-long attempts to eradicate racial inequities versus determined people who continue to seek to further such injustice. The expansion of voting rights came gradually when individual states allowed men who were not Christian nor landowners to have participate in this franchise.

Voting was fundamentally enlarged when men of color were included, then women.  The clumsy vehicle which prevented voters from directly electing their Senators was removed.  Now, let's get rid of the Electoral College. Like Liberty University- not really a place of learning.

In a nation of 330 million people how do we tell leaders our consensus for what we want and need? Voting is the major and most efficient way.  (Recalls, and an easier impeachment process plus civil actions would be nice.) It is the only time voters can collectively hold politicians accountable. But alas, there is so much money generating lies and propaganda.  Added to the ongoing efforts to suppress voting, in specific jurisdictions.  We covered a lot of the anti-democratic tactics a few weeks back.

But like the hucksters on cable TV say:  Wait there's more.

Louisiana was fast to act following the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act.  New maps will be drawn crosscutting neighborhoods with many minority voters.  As one of the two current federal representatives of color remarked: that he can't become white um actually win reelection if the maps are redrawn.  Nor would he run against the other black Congressman.

Louisiana has one of the highest percentages of black residents.  33%.  However, currently only 2 out of the 8 Congress folks and neither Senators are people of color.. If things go according to their plan, there might be 1 or 0 people of color representing the state In Washington DC

Side note: A man who was wrongly accused of a crime, spent almost 30 years in prison was finally released and exonerated.  While incarcerated Calvin Duncan pursued his education and finally earned a law degree.  Last year he beat the Republican incumbent to be Clerk of the Criminal Court for New Orleans Parish receiving 68% of the vote.  He knows firsthand the many issues needing reform.  Uh oh- what to do... The GOP dominated state legislature just eliminated that position.  So much for subtlety.

Don't feel excluded Mississippi and Florida and others, we see you.  

Back to voting.   Better to prevent unencumbered universal voting..  So here comes the partisan gerrymandering.  Started by Texas.  Finally the Democrats retaliated and did the same but helping the Democrats in California.  There are just so many states in play.  They have to be large enough to make a difference and be able to recut districts to favor one party.  Virginia voted for a new map that could potentially create 10 Democratic districts of the current 11 seats.

The GOP sued and the Supreme Court, consulting I don't know the Doctrine of Fascism  upheld the ruling and struck down the new map.  So Texas leadership can act unilaterally but the voters of Virginia have no say...

We need to improve and support education in this country.  By cutting funds to schools and teachers as well as keeping a vast number of wages low or poverty level together with too many people hungry and discouraged, it is a win/win for the greedy rich.  People are too often busy or ill-informed or drowning in hopelessness to even vote.  Or rightfully scared.  Working and can't vote? Don't rely on mail-in ballots. And by taking funds from vital government services- more money for the billionaires..

Since 1776 it has been the citizens who have demanded and generated all of the changes. You know the drill.  Vote/protest/protect your neighbors/keep informed and Don't Shop on Tuesday.

#DSOT. #UPM