A Tar Heel Rebellion Against Conservatism

[marmar]

from truthdig:


A Tar Heel Rebellion Against Conservatism

Posted on Oct 9, 2014
By E.J. Dionne, Jr.


BURLINGTON, N.C.—The clergy gathered in the second-floor conference room at the First Baptist Church here were pondering whether this midterm election might be different from other midterm elections.

The five African-American pastors and bishops represented diverse theological traditions, but all were profoundly unhappy over what North Carolina’s ultra-conservative state government in Raleigh had done to reduce access to the ballot box, cut education spending, and turn back money to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

The irony, said the Rev. Dray Bland, pastor of First Baptist on Apple—the street location distinguishes it from the predominantly white First Baptist Church downtown—is that measures designed to make it harder for voters to cast ballots may actually inspire a larger number to do so.

“While many in Raleigh thought they could suppress the vote through these new voter laws, they may increase turnout by rallying the vote,” Bland said. “The apathy we might have had has turned into action.” ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/a_tar_heel_rebellion_against_conservatism_20141009