CROSSVILLE —
Finally, we can pick up the telephone without fearing a political pitch. We’ve enduring clueless pundits, endless negative political ads and an unprecedented attempt to rig the system. Even so, we heard ABC, CNN and Fox declare Romney a loser before the clock struck midnight on Election Day.
A Romney voter, perhaps, saw no immediate reason to give thanks. But, consider the following abuses that could now come to an end:
First, advertising money could diminish. Telling the rich that they can’t corrupt our politics, apparently, hinders their ‘free speech.’ And, yet, all that money couldn’t sway the election. This is not to say that plutocratic propaganda was rendered harmless, since money certainly had an effect. But, at least the “Super PACs” couldn’t dictate the Presidential outcome. Maybe the billionaires will be less inclined to pony up next time around.
Secondly, the recent level of reality-free discourse might rise. The nonsense about Obama being an un-American Muslim from Africa may end. After all, he won’t be the next Democratic Party candidate, so perhaps we can hope to be spared four more years of irrelevant baloney.
Finally, vote suppression might end. I saw two American citizens denied the right to vote, and two more who gave up trying because it they couldn’t stand in line during their lunch break. Today’s burdensome voting paperwork is not only unnecessary (almost no cases of voter identity fraud can be found), but slows down the process and discourages working people. In our county alone, dozens of citizens, or more, were kept from voting in order to guard against an almost non-existent crime.
But, in the "swing states" of Florida, Wisconsin and Ohio, matters were much worse. Registration lists were "purged" and registration forms (Democratic) were thrown in dumpsters. Misleading notices were sent telling Spanish speakers that voting day was Wednesday. (Spanish speakers were also mailed the wrong information in Arizona… an odd coincidence?) Legions of partisan "poll watchers" were deployed to intimidate and make sure the newly-installed unnecessary red tape fouled the process. Early voting days were cut and “certain” polling places were purposely understaffed. People in the “wrong neighborhoods” had to wait in line until one in the morning to cast their vote after standing in line for nine hours. And, contrary to the expectations of people like Carl Rove, they DID wait in line.
“Dark money” billionaires and their lackeys gave it their best shot. They promoted vote suppression and filled the media with lies and veiled “dog whistle” ethnic and religious slurs. They lost. They not only lost the presidency but they dropped seats in both the House and Senate. Liberals took seats that could easily have been won by moderate Republicans (had they been nominated). Fox News ratings took a nosedive after the election. More people are beginning to peek behind the curtain.
So, maybe, just maybe, we’ll demand restrictions on campaign spending. Maybe we’ll start to identify and ignore racial and religious fear mongers. Maybe we’ll demand a reality-based discussion of meaningful issues. Maybe we’ll demand laws making it easier for citizens to vote instead of harder. If we can strike while the iron is hot, our children will be very thankful.
Opinion
WE THE PEOPLE: Hope springs eternal…
- Opinion
-
-
LION AND THE LAMB: More than meets the eye
It was a quiet Saturday afternoon, and my wife Sheral suggested I join her on a shopping trip. In Crossville Sheral went inside a store and I stayed outside looking at the bargain specials. My mind was in neutral, so I almost missed the little boy’s question. He was about seven or eight, evidently had just seen his first Amish family, and they had seemed very strange to him.
-
WE THE PEOPLE: No time to govern
Bob Dole’s tribute to George McGovern at the time of his death last year was both beautiful and touching. Speaking of the friendship they shared and the work they did together during their time in the Senate and later in retirement, Dole said McGovern “was one of the finest public servants I ever had the privilege to know.” He went on to say that they knew what they had in common was far more important than their different political philosophies.
-
TIDBITS: Be wary of home improvement shows
Sometimes I think home improvement stores need a screening tool of some sort, perhaps some kind of licensing or reference check. For example, before one can walk in and buy that handy dandy table saw, they need three people to vouch that they aren’t likely to cut off a bodily appendage.
-
STUMPTALK: Obama’s Benghazi betrayal
“Betrayal” is an ugly word. “To fail or desert especially in a time of need.” Those who pay attention to the actions of Obama are justified in saying we have been betrayed. Think about the IRS and DOJ debacles. Clearly our ambassador and his staff at the Benghazi consulate were betrayed, deserted in their time of mortal need. Obama allowed them to be murdered.
-
Lion and the Lamb: When schools go beyond the three Rs
The three Rs, reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic, have always been at the foundation of education in Cumberland County. Recently, however, a fourth R has been added — religion. In permission was granted representatives of The Gideons International to distribute Bibles to fifth-graders in the Brown Elementary School in Crossville, and this took place April 11.
-
We the People: Your vote — use it or lose it
A powerful faction within the Republican Party is determined to downsize our federal government. They want to reshape programs that originated to protect common folks like us.
-
Stumptalk: The elephant in the room
I recently saw video footage of the president surrounded by the heads of all the services; they had assembled to address the continuing and scandalous problem of sexual harassment in the armed forces. The elephant in the room, of course, was young women in the military serving in close quarters with young men.
-
We the People: Reality check, anyone?
Harry Truman had a birthday anniversary in early May. Harry was proud of being from the “show me” state. Republicans who aspire to stop all progress and set the clock back should take a lesson from Truman. He did something besides complain and obstruct progress.
-
The Lion and the Lamb: The devil and the IRS
National news these past several weeks has focused on a scandal in the Internal Revenue Service. IRS agents have been targeting Tea Party and other conservative groups for additional scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status. As this story developed over the past several weeks, however, it has become apparent that the IRS problem is much greater than the complaints raised by the Tea Party.
-
Tidbits: What's in a name?
Being born in the time before routine ultrasounds, my parents thought I was going to be a boy. I'm not sure if mom was carrying high or low, or if the wedding ring on a string went one way or the other, or what other old wives tale was used to determine I would be a he rather than a she, but that's what they thought and that's how they prepared.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
LION AND THE LAMB: More than meets the eye
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
