Tremendous Hillary Clinton "Closing Argument" Ad to Katy Perry's Roar

Fabulously done, heartstring-pulling ad, to an uplifting song, with masterful imagery. Trump has nothing like this. Trump could do nothing like this. Go vote. Be heard. Defeat Orange Hitler!

Republicans Keep Accidentally Admitting that Voter ID Laws are Trojan Horses

A typical Voter ID reminder. I had to show one in Ohio
to vote in the Democratic primary, my first. But I had
no issues, fortunately.

Though I really haven't posted much lately, one continuing theme is the idea of trying to figure out the politics of the day, and the intent behind them. Do politicians (and their followers) believe the rhetoric they're spewing when they pass controversial or radical laws? Do they buy their own BS, or are they being deliberately disingenuous.

In the previous post, I wondered if anyone really believes the "religious freedom" excuse with all of these new anti-gay laws and bills. And in this one, does anyone really believe that Voter ID laws have anything to do with preventing in-person voter fraud? Or are they really all clear that this is about voter disenfranchisement, as is eminently clear? It's surely a mixture, and not always the same from politician to politician, or voter to voter. And just like with the other issue, it's wholly dependent upon intelligence, gullibility for "truthiness," or a lack of interest in digging beneath the surface.

Which is a handy reminder for me. Blogging apathy is a bad thing for me, should I wish to have a voice. I may have a tiny corner of the internet, but if I reach only a few people on any given story, it has the potential to exponentially seed some truth, rather than just truthiness.

[Excerpt]

Another Republican Admitted That Voter ID is All About Disenfranchising Democrats

They keep doing it. Republicans continue to accidentally spill the beans about unspoken GOP plots to roll back constitutional rights. Donald Trump, last week, accidentally blurted something about punishing women who undergo illegal abortions. And this week, Glenn Grothman, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin, became another in a growing list of mid-level conservatives to blab about the true intention of voter ID laws: to disenfranchise Democrats. . .

Read more at: The Daily Banter

Fellow Citizen: Go Vote!

My fellow Americans, as a lefty-liberal-moonbat Democrat in good standing, I of course hope you don't vote for the clown car full of bozos that is the GOP slate. I'd implore you to vote your best interests, and those of the country. I'd urge you not to vote for crazy people.

But vote. Don't shrug it off. Don't say, "eh, they're all the same." Because they are starkly different in key ways. And if you do go vote, and you get home, and you find yourself depressed because of who ended up winning, remember this: America has the political memory of a goldfish. If Republicans win, voters will be pissed at them in 2016, and we'll get a Democratic wave. In the unlikely case of a Democratic squeaker,* Republicans will likely have an easier time in the next election.

But apparently, the State of the Union is rather irrelevant to actual voting. The economy is doing fairly well. There are big scary things in the news, but there are always big scary things in the news. Ebola has fizzled, at least for the moment. And arguably, Republicans made us more vulnerable on that front in the first place. "People are angry," I keep hearing. But about what, I really have no idea. They don't seem to either, they just sputter about Obama being a dictator and not being a leader. That's a pretty neat trick.

So, I give up trying to explain it. But go vote. It's your civic duty. And if you can round up two or three people who were thinking of not going, even better.

*Now, I just want to say, that I'm fully prepared for a GOP Senate, though I'm not happy about it. But I also won't be surprised if the wave doesn't hit as hard as people think it's going to. It's all going to come down to who gets out the vote. But I'm hoping for a surprise Democratic squeaker or even a 50/50 split. Call me a cockeyed optimist!

North Carolina Bill Aims to Make Voting Harder

I've said it before, Voter ID laws sound reasonable. I mean, you need ID to rent a car, or even a tuxedo. You need ID to cash a check, to get a library card, for all kinds of things, and we don't give it much thought. But here's the problem with Voter ID laws: they weren't created to stop voter fraud, they were created to prevent "undesirables" from voting. The fact is, the people most likely to not have ID (which includes an amazingly high number of voters) are disproportionally likely Democratic voters. In unguarded moments, several prominent conservatives and Republicans have even admitted as much.



Voter fraud is vanishingly rare in the United States, and North Carolina is no exception. But I hear you, you think it's a reasonable requirement. Though this ID had better be free, and had better not be difficult to obtain, or it is the equivalent of a poll tax. And if the passage of one of these laws is so urgently important, I'd say there ought to be a broad campaign to educate the public about exactly what they'll need in order to vote. That would only be fair, right? Except in places where these things tend to pass, that sort of assistance rarely seems to happen.

Add to that, that Voter ID itself isn't the only thing being passed here. There's a whole list of things on deck to complicate or restrict current voting rules. They want to cut early voting times. They want to stop pre-registering 17-year-olds who are soon turning 18. They want to complicate voting by college students. They want to repeal same-day registration. They want to ban straight-ticket voting.

Whatever you think about the individual parts of the bill, the fact is, this is an effort to make voting harder. What's amazing to me is that there doesn't seem to even be a cover story for why they're doing it. As with the huge list of restrictions and regulations (regulations from conservatives!) on abortion clinics that exist simply to make abortion harder, this voting bill is just trying to reduce the number of likely--mostly Democratic--voters. It's as plain as day.

And that--my dear Republican friends--should piss you off too. You've got an organized movement at the state level by the GOP to skew election results just by preventing voting by a group of people. It's not really "winning," it's cheating. And it's amazing to me that they don't even have to present even a bullshit reason for why they're doing most of it.

[Excerpt]

Voter ID bill raises controversy in North Carolina

Republican Leader Berger rejects the notion that his party is trying to suppress the Democratic-leaning black and youth vote. "Absolutely not," he said. "I am concerned the people are talking about substantial problem with this that I don't agree exists."

State-issued IDs, which now cost $10, will be free in the future, according to the bill. State Senator Floyd McKissick, Jr., the Democratic Deputy Minority Leader, tried to stop the reforms he called "draconian. . ."

Read more at: CBS News

Idiot Proves Voter Fraud is Possible, Doesn't Prove it's Common

When Andrew Breitbart died, I thought maybe we'd be spared from ever hearing of his minion, the twerpy James O'Keefe, ever again. He's the one who stages sometimes elaborate, often dishonest "exposés" from an extreme right-wing perspective. But he's such a douche, that even if he had all his ducks in a row, he'd still just come off as a jerk. Here, he's proving that you can vote as somebody else if you know their address. Yeah. I've always known I could do that. . .provided I knew that person hadn't already voted, and provided that I wanted to commit a federal crime. I've never felt that inclination. And neither have very many other people.  [Story continues below]



The right has a very convincing argument for strict voter rules, with picture IDs, etc. "Who doesn't have an ID? You need an ID to get a movie at Blockbuster!" Yeah, nobody goes to Blockbuster anymore, but that isn't the point. The point is, there are large groups of people who do not often have photo IDs, whether you think that's stupid or not. And those people disproportionately vote Democrat. The fact of the matter is, Republicans didn't dream up voter ID laws because of some rampant voter fraud. More people win the big prize in MegaMillions and PowerBall in a given year than are busted for voter fraud. If it is a problem at all, it is amazingly small one. No, the laws are to disenfranchise particular voters.

I've been a voter for 28 years, first in Ohio, then in Nevada. I've never needed anything more than my name and my address to vote. When I registered, I filled out a card. I don't think I even needed ID then, just a bill with my address on it. I do have a photo ID, and can't conceive of not having one for myself. But since when do conservatives mandate official government papers for anything? And if you have to pay for them, isn't that an individual mandate? Not to mention a poll tax? And if they're given away for free, isn't that a giveaway?

[Excerpt]

James O’Keefe Proves That Pointless Form of Voter Fraud Is Possible


In a new video, a member of James O'Keefe's "Project Veritas" manages to enter a D.C. polling station and receive a ballot for none other than Attorney General Eric Holder, simply by providing Holder's address. . .

Read more at: New York Magazine

Maine Restores Same-Day Voter Registration

Image from source, Raw Story

Okay, so is the good news for Democrats in this off-year election just the pendulum swinging back after 2010, or is it a reaction to Republican overreach? Or does one follow from the other? Anyway, given all of the attempts to restrict various voting rights around the country, it's nice to see one that got undone.

Sidebar: I hope one of Herman Cain's accusers comes from Maine, just to set up the joke, "Bangor? I hardly knew her!"

[Excerpt]

Maine voters restore same-day voter registration


The citizens of Maine on Tuesday repealed a recently passed law requiring voters to enroll at least two days before an election.

With more than three-quarters of the state’s precincts reporting, 60 percent of voters had rejected the law, according to the Bangor Daily News. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

The Republican War on Voting

Image from source, Rolling Stone

I've said before in this space that Republicans are excellent at coming up with reasonable sounding reasons for extreme positions. In the case of voting rights, Republican-led states all over the country have introduced legislation to restrict them. The "good reason" they've used is that it prevents "voter fraud," an alleged crime that happens about as often as Dick Cheney's heartbeat. That is to say, it almost doesn't exist. So, what is the real purpose for all of these laws? In almost every case, the tightened restrictions will prevent mostly Democrats from voting. Because statistically, if voters turn out in very large numbers, Democrats tend to win. Cut down on the number of eligible Democrats, and you reduce that chance. It's pure math, it's purely evil, and it's dressed up to look legit by claiming that it reduces "voter fraud." Bullshit. I can't think of much that is more anti-American than trying to prevent eligible people from voting.

[Excerpt]


The GOP War on Voting

In a campaign supported by the Koch brothers, Republicans are working to prevent millions of Democrats from voting next year. . .

. . . "What has happened this year is the most significant setback to voting rights in this country in a century,". . .

Read more at: Rolling Stone

A Final Message to Voters: "I Remember"

Good stuff. I already "early voted," but I didn't vote Republican, because I remembered too.  Also, because Sharron Angle is bananas, but you get the idea.

What Happens in Vegas: Voter Burnout

Image from source, Action13News

You know what, I think I've found something that conservatives and liberals can agree on: we're sick of politics.  At least, we're tired of being pestered about politics.  We receive at my house 5-10 calls a day, perhaps more, from various candidates and polling firms. I've gotten dozens of emails from Democratic and progressive groups, all urging me to donate time (and of course money).  The money? Sorry, not this year.  The time? Well, what would that entail?

It entails going door to door, begging for votes. Sitting on a phone bank. You know, bugging people. Nobody likes phone calls from people they don't know, particularly if you are one of dozens. And nobody likes answering the door for a person with a clipboard in their hand.  I've been known to sit quietly with the television on mute when the doorbell rings. I am not going to volunteer to annoy people. And lets face it, in a state like Nevada, where early voting is very, very popular, that's what you're going to be doing. More than half the people who are going to vote have already voted. A half of those left wouldn't vote for my candidate, and half of the half that would doesn't intend to vote in the first place. I voted. I did my duty. And no, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it. Now leave me alone!

[Excerpt]

Last push for votes, has some people in Las Vegas frustrated



Democrats and Republicans make a final plea for votes, but could this last push be having the opposite effect on voters? . . .
 
Read more (with video) at: Action13News

Here is Why Democrats MUST Vote in November

Conventional wisdom says that there is an enthusiasm gap in the electorate, and that many Republicans are simply going to win by default. Democrats will stay home, and a stampede of elephants will crash into Washington.  I've seen the polls, though the land-line telephone methods of most of them leave me somewhat dubious. I've even seen dejected, defiant liberals ranting and raving on blogs, about how Democrats don't deserve to win.

Sorry, folks. My memory isn't that short.  I can remember beyond the last 19 months.  I remember what it was like when Rick Santorum, Bill Frist, Denny Hastert and Tom DeLay held sway.  I thought those guys were outrageous in their cartoon villainy.  But I had no idea what they had on deck for 2010.  Add this to the fact that the new hard-right GOP/tea bagger contingent plans to "reset" things to 2007--when the recession started--and has pledged that they will not change just freaks me the hell out.  THINK, Democrats. How did you feel about life in America in 2008?  How much did you like Republican rule last time? 

I know you want to kick the Democrats in the balls for not being liberal enough.  But you're talking about handing things over to a party that thinks that Democrats are extreme, radical, Marxist, fascist, commies!  We're not talking about a pendulum-swing from left to right.  We're talking about a pendulum that is currently slightly to the left of vertical being forcibly yanked to the right wall and lashed there.  It could be entertaining to watch this new group of loons attempt to legislate.  But I'd rather not be one of the people affected by that legislation. A lot of damage could be done in two years, and for all the imagined damage Democrats have done since 2009, it will likely pale in comparison. 

I'm not particularly enthusiastic about voting this year. But I'm damned sure going to.

DNC Ad Aims to Close "Enthusiasm Gap"

It's true. Democrats are not as enthusiastic about the upcoming election as the Republicans are. Outside of conventional wisdom, and historical precedent, this of course makes sense. Republicans got squashed in the last two elections, and they're champing at the bit to regain power.  So, this election is going to come down to a battle of enthusiasm, and the Democrats seem to have used all of theirs up in the last go around.  You mean we gotta do this again already? 

The wild card in this particular election is the sheer mount of crazy on the Republican side, with the Tea Baggers, and the fact that "the fringe" has taken over.  Add to that the fact that should Republicans take over, they'll not only revert to the policies that put America in the ditch, they'll try to undo any of the positive things that have happened since 2008.  Even worse, they've promised to keep the Obama Administration tied up in knots with ridiculous investigations, subpoenas, and have even threatened impeachment inquiries.  Great.  So much for Obama ignoring all of the things that the Bush Administration did.

So--possibly too late--the DNC is trying to drum up some enthusiasm by showing them exactly who would be in charge, should Republicans be victorious in November.  It's a good strategy, but it needs to be much bigger, much louder, and more pervasive.  They need to take a few news cycles away from each week's FOX "News" inspired faux outrage.  So, get enthusiastic, Democrats!  You don't have to slavishly follow our guys, you've just got to go to the polls and make sure the nutters don't get the keys to the car.  Trust me, the Republicans won't care how they win. They don't care if they only get into office because we were too apathetic to vote, and they win by default.  A protest "sit out" helps nobody but Republicans.

Rachel Maddow: "Anti-Incumbant" Story is Bull Pucky

There are a bunch of memes that float around on cable news, like "voters are angry!"  And those angry voters, so the story line goes, are voting out incumbants in droves.  Funny thing is, it isn't happening. At least not in the primaries.  It doesn't matter how many incumants win their in-party votes (and right now it stands at over 300 to seven), the story won't die. Rachel Maddow put together this "pre-buttal" to tomorrow's primary votes, in the expectation that they'll trot that old line out again.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rachel Maddow on the New Poll Tax: Long Lines

Rachel Maddow and other liberal talkers like Randi Rhodes have been talking for quite a while about lengthy voting lines, and their potential to disenfranchise voters. This was a problem in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. And it is a problem again this year.

Here in Nevada, or at least in Clark County, the elections have run very smoothly every time I've voted in the last 14 years. But in some locations--surprise, surprise, usually in minority and poor areas--lines can be 2, 4, 8 even 10 hours long. Many of the precincts have only a handful (or less) of voting machines. How many people have the time or the inclination to wait that long?

On Sunday's special edition of The Rachel Maddow Show, Maddow gave an impassioned editorial to end what is essentially a poll tax. Watch.

Early Voting in Nevada Begins Today

Well, for me this election is over. No, I haven't decided that it's Barack Obama in a shoo-in, and that I don't need to vote. And I haven't decided that John McCain is gonna have a comeback, so why bother. I voted today. Early voting began in Nevada today, and The Other Half and I took advantage of the opportunity.

Nevada's voter apparatus is fantastic. Or rather, I should say, Clark County's is. Clark County is by far the most populous county in Nevada, holding our three biggest cities, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson. And that doesn't count unincorporated Clark County (which is where almost all of the famous strip casinos are located).

While there are accusations against ACORN, and four years ago there was a concerted effort by conservatives to deny some Democrats the vote, the Clark County Election Department itself is a bang-up operation. Before early voting starts, all registered voters in the county receive a "Ready Set Vote!" voter guide, with is personalized to each voter's district. All eligible candidates and issues are presented clearly, and the issues have arguments from both sides. It's a pretty nifty arrangement. You can mark up your book and take it with you.

And in this internet age, you can look up any issue you're not sure of, visit web sites of candidates, or even find voter guides from groups you respect. There is no excuse for not being informed on the candidates, or issues. And with early voting, it really couldn't be more convenient. The Ready Set Vote book lists all of the early voting locations, usually grocery stores and malls. So, in addition to getting out the vote, they're also boosting the economy. The Other Half and I voted at the Las Vegas Outlet Mall, and ended up spending about sixty dollars there after voting!

Oh, and by the way, while I know it is a secret ballot, I have no problem letting you know. . .I voted for that one.

Early voting in Nevada takes place from October 18 - 31, 2008 at locations all over the valley. Some locations run the full duration, and others are scheduled for temporary stops. Please go to www.accessclarkcounty.com/elections for more details.

ACORN in Nevada: The Conspiracy that Wasn't

Image from source, Las Vegas City Life

I'm watching some stupid Greta Van Whatsername special on FOX "News" about Barack Obama. Actually, it isn't so much about him, as it is a smear job on Obama. Specifically, the tenuous links between Obama and people deemed unsavory, and the other tenuous connection to ACORN. What's worse, the ACORN scandal is itself a "barely there" story.

You wouldn't know that by watching this FOX special, complete with movie "villain" music, and To Catch a Predator-style graphics. The Nevada portion of this story, which is the part I'm most familiar with, is blown way out of proportion, making it sound like the local official here--a Democrat!--is horrified by the "ACORN scandal," which he certainly seems not to be in FOX's own video.

So even though I've already focused on this non-story, it bears repeating. A mostly positve community organization is really being smeared here, and conservatives are also trying to fling a large portion of that poo at Obama, though his connection to the group is minimal. FOX's own program says there has been one confirmed act of voter fraud. . .one vote! Is this really an issue?

[Excerpt]

The conspiracy that wasn't

by STEVE SEBELIUS

The outrage that followed the secretary of state's raid on the offices of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) was both predictable and pedantic. From the press statements, editorials and columns on both sides of the political spectrum, it was as if the state had caught people red-handed trying to steal an election.Which, it bears repeating, it did not. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas City Life

I'm Voting Republican!

I've been wondering why anybody would vote Republican after 8 years under Captain Cuckoo Bananas. But then, I watched this insightful video, and had an epiphany (or epithany, as my Mom might say). . .Republicans are where it's at! Don't believe me? Take a look!

Greg Palast Warns of Voting Irregularities

Greg Palast is probably one of the best American journalists working today. Unfortunately, he works for the BBC. Which is probably good for him, because investigative journalism in the United States is practically nonexistent. Since the 2000 election, Palast has worked tirelessly to uncover voting irregularities, and he's still warning us to watch out: it could happen again.

[Excerpt]

BBC journalist warns against voter irregularities

The BBC journalist who uncovered possible voter fraud in the 2000 and 2004 U.S. presidential elections told a South Florida crowd Sunday those same forces that led to President Bush's victories will not "steal" this year's election.

"They've already stolen it," Greg Palast told a crowd at the Palm Beach Democratic Club on Sunday. "But, you can steal it back. . ."

Read more at: Palm Beach Post

Voter Turnout Sets Records

Photo from source, Huffington Post

I have a dinner engagement tonight, and may not get to post much of anything else for the evening. But this news was too good not to share, and put up a quickie post before dinner.

I'm still looking for a comprehensive report on Repbulican vs. Democratic turnout. It was quite obvious from the returns that Democrats vastly outnumbered Republicans yesterday. But that will have to wait for later.

[Excerpt]

Report: Voter Turnout Records Broken

Voters came out in record numbers in about half the states that have voted in presidential primaries so far, according to an analysis Wednesday. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Ohio Voting Machines Still Not Up to Snuff

Photo from source, Raw Story

Seven years after the historically contentious 2000 vote, and three years after 2004 (also in dispute), the various voting machines in Ohio are still not adequately protected against malfunctions. And Ohio, if you remember, was considered to be questionable last time around.

Let me pose a hypothetical. . . If the past voting disputes had favored Democrats, what is the likelihood that it would still be a problem? Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity would be squawking about it every single day. What is WRONG with our leadership in Congress, and why hasn't this been fixed by now?

[Excerpt]

Report: Ohio voting machines have 'critical flaws,' could undermine ’08 election

One of the most important swing states in America still can’t safeguard the vote. So says a new report, commissioned by Ohio’s top elections official, that found all five voting systems used in the Buckeye State to have “critical flaws” that could undermine the integrity of the 2008 general election. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Democracy is Hard Work. Vote Fascism!

I like my humor dark, and I like it to make a point. This fits the bill. Hat-tip to BradBlog.com for this video, about Australian politics. It is just as relevant here in the US. And hey, that strapping Aussie lad, and that accent. . .he almost had me convinced!