Republicans and Voting

Rather than craft policy that appeals to a majority of Americans Republicans have chosen to attempt to restrict the numbers of Americans who can actually vote.  This strategy has no Constitutional support but is favored by people like Senator Mitch McConnell.  Republicans oppose a measure they claim is an attempt by Democrats to give themselves a permanent political advantage by driving up turnout among minority groups and by preventing Republicans, who control a majority of statehouses, from drawing new congressional districts that would tilt the playing field in their favor. “This is an attempt by one party to write the rules of our political system,” said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader. “We can’t afford to go further down this road.” At the same time, McConnell is attempting to do exactly what he accuses Democrats of doing, rewriting election rules to a Republican advantage.  The Legislation in question is chock-full of liberal priorities. The For the People Act, HR1, would usher in landmark changes to make it easier to vote, to enact new campaign finance laws and to end to partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts. The legislation passed the House along party lines earlier this month. It faces solid opposition from Republicans who are working to clamp down on ballot access, and who argue that the bill is a power-grab by Democrats.  “Today, in the 21st Century, there is a concerted, nationwide effort to limit the rights of citizens to vote and to truly have a voice in their own government,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader. He called the voting rollbacks in the states an “existential threat to our democracy” reminiscent of the Jim Crow segregationist laws of the past, chanting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” at Republicans who are promoting them.  Following the loss of Trump in the 2020 election it is obvious that Republicans have no intention of enacting policy with a wide ranging appeal and should not be rewarded in any way for their inability to appeal to a majority of eligible voters.  There is nothing in the Constitution that justifies limiting the numbers of voters should be a way to win elections.  Democrats need to eliminate the filibuster, put HR1 and HR4 on the floor of the Senate for an up or down vote.  In addition, Democrats need to also place sensible gun regulations including expanded background checks, a ban on so-called assault weapons, and a ban on high capacity magazines on the floor of the Senate for a filibuster-free up or down vote.  For too long Democrats allowed Republicans to control the rules governing legislation and elections and the result was total incompetence in governing.  America needs to experience GOOD GOVERNMENT.  It is time for the experiment in small/incompetent government to be over once and for all.