G.O.P. to the Poor: Don't Vote

[Jon8503]

Missourians please read this & get out to everyone you know in MO. This is todays Republican Party.

With little notice or discussion, Senator Christopher Bond of Missouri allowed a provision into a Senate appropriations bill that could ban even nonpartisan voter registration efforts in public housing developments all over the country. This is an example of the unfortunate impulse now afflicting some parts of the Republican Party: a desire to suppress voting in poor and minority neighborhoods. Mr. Bond's proposal runs contrary to both the spirit of democracy and federal law, which in recent years has moved increasingly toward broadening ballot access. The National Voter Registration Act - commonly known as the Motor Voter Act - actually requires state agencies, including those that issue welfare benefits and drivers' licenses, to offer voter registration materials to the people they serve.

The proposed Senate legislation comes on top of recent G.O.P. maneuvers in Ohio, where Republicans challenged the registrations of more than 30,000 voters, many of them impoverished. Federal courts have stepped in to halt such challenges for now, but more are expected at the polls.

The same impulse to discourage voters was on display over the last several months in New Mexico, where the Indian Health Service of the Health and Human Services Department suspended voter registration efforts for several months at some medical centers and clinics serving Native Americans. Earlier this month, the Indian Health Service issued a memorandum effectively ending the ban, but only after untold numbers of Native Americans had missed the opportunity to register to vote in the coming election.

Mr. Bond's argument - that housing built with public money should be used only for housing, not voter registration - makes no sense on its face. It is even more ridiculous given the universal support for voter registration on military bases around the world. Military voters tend to favor Republicans, and public housing residents tend to favor Democrats. It would be nice if everyone could agree that both groups should be encouraged to vote.

(Editorial Page Of The New York Times)

[classof56]

1. Oh, man...just when I thought they couldn't sink any lower!

There were a couple of R candidates on my ballot who had no real opposition (Constitution Party candidates? Ugh!) and I refused to vote for them. If this is truly the direction Republicans are heading then they will NEVER EVER get another of my votes, no matter what.

Here in Oregon, Tom McCall must be turning over in his grave! Heaven help us all!

DEFEAT BUSH!!

[madrchsod]

3. they are heading?

they have "been there" for centuries. there is nothing new when it comes to class warfare

[Lefty48197]

2. The Republicans fought tooth and nail against the motor voter law

They also fought tooth and nail against correcting the census undercount of urban residents.
Now,with an election upon us, they are fighting tooth and nail to suppress the vote of African Americans.
Despicable.