Why is this day not a holiday? Why do people have to work today?

[bluestateguy]

Employers who do not let their employees off work to vote are filthy, greedy scum of the earth. This is a day for democracy, not putting in another day of work to make even more money for the wealthy. This day should be a national holiday.

[Polly Glot]

1. My hubby's giving his employees all the time they need. n/t

[liberal N proud]

2. Because BIG business has always been Republican and this is a way

to supress the vote.
Even though there are laws against it, business do try to discourage people from voting or at the very minimum, do nothing to promote it.
I offer praise to anyone who is brave enought and patriotic enough to give their employees the day off.
Some have even encouraged their people to volunteeer, Hats Off
I had to use a day of vacation to volunteer.

[cthrumatrix]

6. bingo

[truthisfreedom]

3. in minnesota, you get paid for the morning (presumably till noon) to vote

so it's a half-holiday. not too bad... we shouldn't have lines that are out of control.

[HereSince1628]

4. If it were a holiday work would still go on for many of us

Public safety, hospital, food service, retail, utilities, transportation, communications, entertainment...
I imagine the list goes on and on.

[punpirate]

5. The Constitution was written with...

... franchised voters in mind. In 1789, the voters were propertied free men. They could take time off from their enterprises to vote.

The situation has changed greatly from then to now. I suppose it has never changed because no one to date has felt that it was worth a bill in Congress or convening a Constitutional Convention to force the issue.

Still, it's most discriminatory to the least of our society, and ought to be changed.

The easiest non-Constitutional means of correcting the problem would be to declare election day as a national holiday. If there's a Democratic presidency soon, and at least, a Democratic Senate, this should be foremost on the agenda. People have to be able to vote, and should never feel that their jobs might be compromised by taking the time to vote.

Maybe this time around, we'll have an administration which will fight for the right to vote without implicit threats for taking the time to do so.