Rigging the vote: how the American right is on the way to permanent minority rule

[dajoki]

Rigging the vote: how the American right is on the way to permanent minority rule
Underhand Republican tactics – gerrymandering, voter suppression, more – underpin a vice-like grip on power
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/04/america-minority-rule-voter-suppression-gerrymandering-supreme-court?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVUy0xODExMDQ%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&CMP=GTUS_email

<<snip>>

The two most recent Republican presidents have entered office despite receiving fewer votes than their opponent in a national election, thanks to the electoral college, which systematically over-represents small states. (California gets one electoral vote per 712,000 people; Wyoming gets one per 195,000.) With the presidency in hand in the run-up to the 2020 census, minority rule will be further entrenched by adding a citizenship question to the census. This will result in systematic undercounting of the population in heavily Democratic areas, which will in turn further reduce their influence as legislatures draw maps based on the data.

Then there’s the Senate. Because of its bias toward smaller, rural states, a resident of Wyoming has 66 times the voting power in Senate elections as one in California. Thus, in 2016, the Democratic party got 51.4 million votes for its Senate candidates. The Republicans got 40 million. And despite losing by more than 11 million votes, the Republicans won a supermajority (22 of 36) of the seats up for election, holding their majority in the chamber.

The hideously malapportioned Senate and electoral college permit the last piece of the minority rule puzzle to snap into place: the supreme court. In 2016, after losing the contest for the presidency and the Senate by millions of votes, the Republicans were able to install two supreme court justices. There may be more.

In fact, when the Senate confirmed Trump’s first nominee, Neil Gorsuch, it was a watershed moment in American history. For the first time, a president who lost the popular vote had a supreme court nominee confirmed by senators who received fewer votes – nearly 22 million fewer – than the senators that voted against him. And by now, it will not surprise you to discover that the senators who voted for the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh represent 38 million fewer people than the ones who voted no.

With the supreme court in hand, all those other tactics – partisan gerrymandering, voter ID and the rest – are protected from the only institution that could really threaten them. But it doesn’t stop there. The supreme court can be used to do more than approve the minority rule laws that come before it. It can further the project on its own.

<<snip>>

[FM123]

1. This article is a must read for everybody!

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. Everytime I see your name I'm brought back to 1978.

The CD on Amazon is STILL 10.00 plus. The movie was ok...but, the soundtrack is one for the ages.
"No static at allllll"

[FM123]

3. Thanks, that made me chuckle! And yes, the soundtrack - especially Steely Dan....

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

4. +1

[elocs]

5. Here in Wisconsin, Democrats and those on the Left had a hand in what Republicans have done here.

In 2010, Democrats controlled the state senate, assembly, and governorship. However, in that midterm election too many on the Left chose not to vote (since the state was controlled by Democrats there was no voter suppression so those who did not vote did it by choice) while Republicans voted like it was their duty. The result: the entire state flipped to Republican control and Scott Walker was elected governor while Russ Feingold lost his Senate seat. And since 2010 was a census year, when the Republicans took power in 2011 they got to redistrict and gerrymander the state to ensure their continued power. They also passed a voter ID law in order to suppress the vote of those on the Left.
Elections have consequences and choosing not to vote has consequences as well.

[Blue_true]

6. People would rather focus on republicans than blame our own complacency.

I pointed that out once and several people almost bit my head off. I got ripped pretty good for truth.

[The Liberal Lion]

16. Thank you. This is indeed the case.

We are too busy enamored with hopeful heroes instead of looking in the mirror and saying "I must be the hero". Our own weakness will be our undoing. Nay, has been our undoing.

[calimary]

29. YES. This is indeed the case.

We're the best "competition" the CONS could ever hope for. We stay home and go "meh." Until WAY too late, that is.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. somehow, we have to instill a -habit- of voting

We need this election to have overwhelming numbers and then we need voting to become habitual. It will take multiple elections for my own state to climb out of the red pit.

[Honeycombe8]

10. It's the old saying: The people get the leaders they deserve.

If they don't vote, they are giving away their voice to those who do. I believe in getting out the vote and beefing up enthusiasm, but at the end of the day, if a party's voters don't think it's important to vote, that party may have a permanent problem. Groups who don't vote, lose representatives for their group.

Maybe a widespread PR campaign, even in off years, may be called for. Not targeted toward particular elections. Just generally. Reminding people to register, to get photo ID, the importance of voting, etc.

[Merlot]

27. I've voted in every presidential and midterm since I was old enough to vote

How is it that I'm getting the leader I deserve?

Just asking.

[dajoki]

34. Me too n/t

[elocs]

46. Life is not fair and often people get what they do NOT deserve.

There are many, many tens of thousands of Democrats here in Wisconsin that have faithfully voted in every election as well and we have also gotten what we do not deserve. What I find sad in the years since 2010 is how many on the Left who once lauded our actions and massive protests against Walker and his policies through the entire state under the bus and claimed we got what we deserved. No we didn't.

[Still In Wisconsin]

23. You are exactly right. Our side didn't show up, by choice, in 2010.

It was a combination of things I think. Some were complacent. Some on what is sometimes called the "far left" (I don't particularly like the term) were mad because Obama promised Hope and Change, and they thought that meant they would get a pony. But the right voted as if their lives depended on it (which they thought to be the case because of the brown President.)

The results have been exactly what you noted: a Republican vice grip on government in Wisconsin ever since. All you have to do is look at 2014, when Obama won Wisconsin and Democrats got more voted in state legislative races by a significant margin, yet still LOST seats.

[FakeNoose]

37. Democrats have a measure of gullibility - we assume the GOP is playing fair

... just like we are. So we turn our backs and look the other way while they cheat like hell.

We can never turn our backs, we must always be vigilant. The Repukes will always cheat in order to win because they know they can't win otherwise. We can never trust them, we have to always be on our toes. The last 10 years have proven it beyond a doubt. We will get back on top and then we have to crush them.

[elocs]

47. That's what worries me, that too many on the Left are not vigilant, but fickle voters

who need to be excited and motivated to cast their ballots. Meanwhile, Republicans tend to vote like it was their duty.
Democrats may win some elections but in the long run the fickleness of too many of their voters is not a formula for success.

[Honeycombe8]

8. It means "permanent majority rule"? Not "minority rule." ???

The reason the Repubs do voter suppression and unethical, even illegal, things, is that they know the Democrats won't do the same. So the winner takes all.

The Democrats need to get cutthroat, like them. Hope it's not too late. Owning the Supreme Court is a huge problem.

[unblock]

14. They mean republicans rule despite representing a minority of Americans.

[dajoki]

26. Yes cutthroat is the way to go...

I've been saying that for a long time.

[honest.abe]

43. I dont think you understand the issue.

Republicans represent a minority of the voters yet control all three branches of our Government... and it appears they could maintain much of that control for quite some time.

[Honeycombe8]

44. I thought he meant the majority of Congressional members, SCT Justices, governorships, etc.

Majority rule.

I see. He's saying that Repubs represent a minority of the population. If that's true, I don't think it's true that they represent the minority of voters, though. I'll have to look that up.

[beachbum bob]

9. taking back state legislatures is how we end it

expect some major democratic wins at the state level Nov 6th

[Honeycombe8]

11. How does that help? I get that the Governorships & Secretaries of STate make a difference. nt

[LBM20]

13. The legislatures make the laws.

[Honeycombe8]

17. For state laws, yes. But how does that help with federal? nt

[beachbum bob]

15. legislatures pass the LAWS

they have the control on the voting registration process to begin with

[Honeycombe8]

18. Oh, I see. About voting rights.

I was thinking more broadly, regarding Democratic goals at the federal level.

[beachbum bob]

20. Democrats must act at the state level if we want national stuff done.

Target all states that hinder their citizens in voting. Take power and pass laws to end that practice.

[Honeycombe8]

24. That's one thing.

But isn't the cure-all.

It doesn't affect pre-existing conditions, national income taxes.

And it's also helpful to get Democrats to do what it takes to make suppression efforts less effective against them.

Democrats at the state level also need to gerrymander.

[beachbum bob]

25. Only states control election process and hence why democrats must start at

state level.

[napi21]

36. I don't want ANY Party gerrymandering! If we have that "Blue Wave"

they're talking, that should mean we will increase Dem at State levels. 2020 is the census year. Hopefully we will gain enough Dem seats to pass laws that make gerrymandering illegal.

[Garrett78]

38. A computer should draw the boundaries.

Democrats are at a disadvantage when it comes to gerrymandering anyway. Liberals tend to be more concentrated in urban areas, which makes it much easier for Republicans to gerrymander effectively.

[Honeycombe8]

45. Democrats have to gerrymander...

because they are gerrymandered right now....for the Republicans.

Gerrymandering can't be "illegal," since all it means is drawing a district to your favor. It doesn't mean that the district lines are nonsensical. Any time either party draws a district line, there are decisions to be made, and of course you would make them in your favor, not the other party's favor. It's either one or the other.

It is already illegal not to draw district lines that disenfranchises or affects a minority too much.

This is how a party wins. This the reality. Democrats do gerrymander. We have to do more of it. Esp now since the Republicans own the Supreme Court.

[napi21]

49. Whats wrong with using natural boundaries, like highways, or rivers etc?

That way the Party preference in any area would be determined by the residents.

[Amimnoch]

19. Redistricting, and it's coming up.

2020 is a Census year. 2022 is when states will be re-drawing their district maps based on that 2020 census. For states that have 4 and 6 year seats, this year is putting seats into place to make the maps.. and how easy.. or hard.. it will be to hold the House of Representatives for the following 10 years after the census. While most states follow the federal standard with regards to House terms, some have 4 year terms.. in those states, many who are elected this year will be the same ones drawing, and passing the 2022 election districts.

In 2010 Census / 2012 redistricting year, states held by a Democratic Party Majority, for the vast part, played far with regards to districting, while many states with Republicon party majorities went all out, and shameless gerrymandering.

Frankly, if our blue wave does happen, I’m hoping like all hell that we stop with this “high ground” bullshit, and gerrymander the fuck out of every state we take.. Make the court overturn their prior decisions allowing it.

[moreland01]

31. That's just the first step.

I was so utterly disappointed in my fav president, Barack Obama, that he didn't move us forward to stop what was obvious and written on the wall plainly even back then. He appointed Republicans to positions he shouldn't have (Comey?) or let ones remain from Bush era. He compromised on healthcare and other areas where he shouldn't have (public option). He tried to be Lincoln-esque in an era where they used it against Dems to further the right's agenda.

Why didn't he go after the Russians as the election was looming and he was told about their interference.

Why didn't he pull a maneuver to get Garland on the SCOTUS?

Why did he let the Oregon standoff go on and on.

Why wasn't he able to pass stronger gun laws?

We voted him in office and on many counts, I feel he failed us.

So, yes, take back the legislatures . . and then actually DO SOMETHING!!!!

[LBM20]

12. Stop fretting and VOTE. Get power, use it, and keep it.

[Firestorm49]

21. Freighteningly true.

This is a very serious article that needs to be broadcast on every credible news media every single day. We all know these claims to be true, as you can see the result every day. I posted this on FB and recommend every other DUer do the same. This is reality, and it ain’t pretty.

[eppur_se_muova]

22. And the Senate is "constitutionally gerrymandered" ...

Rural states, with a minority of the population, will inevitably hold the majority in the Senate.

[Tumbulu]

28. And until the am hate radio

and Fox News are addresses as spreading hate speech, there will be no relief

Those guys figured this out 35 years ago and they have been building this machine all this time.

The Democratic Party contunues to ignore these rural voters who have so much more power per vote. And these people vote!

Maybe T getting elected will wake some of these people up.

[FiveGoodMen]

33. Also, the pulpits of the mega-churches

[SoCalDem]

39. Fortunately

the mega churches are not as powerful as they used to be..Younger folks (on the whole) are not as insanely religious as their folks are/were...and they do not have the disposable incomes to "donate".. Student loans have seen to that

[PaulX2]

30. This Needs Fixed Somehow

Anyone looking to the future is being ripped off.

[AlexSFCA]

32. remarkably strategic on all fronts

what did we do to make voting easier for everyone when we had majorities in congress?
This is why local/state elections are even more important long term, we get to decide who is in charge of state and country election process. We need nationawide automatic voter registration and manadatory vote by mail option available for everyone everywhere. Voting in Cali is very easy, I’ve never been to a precinct, permanent mail only. You are not gonna have young people going to precincts, they don’t even use phones for talking or go to stores shopping (amazon).

[Onward AND Upward]

35. Yes, awareness is needed, but now is the time to TAKE ACTION - HERE:

From The Same article:

Voter suppression is one, but only one, loathsome tactic in this effort, which goes far beyond just winning one election...

Examples are everywhere. Take North Dakota. In 2012, Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, won a surprise victory in a Senate race by just 2,994 votes. Her two largest county wins were in the Standing Rock and Turtle Mountain Reservations, where she won more than 80% of the vote. Her overall vote margin in counties containing Native reservations was more than 4,500 votes.

Observing that Heitkamp literally owed her seat to Native voters, North Dakota’s Republican legislature enacted a voter ID law that requires voters to present identification showing their name, birth date and residential address. There’s the rub: many Native voters do not have traditional residential addresses, so this law effectively disenfranchises them.

Here's how the ND tribes are overcoming this BS and WINNING!!! Please check it out and donate if you havent done so already, (they are also co-ordinating tribes in other key states, like Arizona):

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211360747

Remember, the words of Winston Churchill:

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

[LiberalLovinLug]

40. Before the free press is finally shut down, they should be doing a big special report on this

You wonder if some expose is and has been stalled in the past because of the fact that its owners, and shareholders, are more concerned about the bottom line, and they like the tax cuts, and don't really want some Sanders / Warren robin hood style tax reform.

But this topic should have been covered long ago. But then they'd have had to have already tossed the false equivalency rule as well, and where would they be without the perpetual 'horse race'? A fake horse race it turns out.

The news media, or whats left of it, is responsible to let the public know. If Democrats try and make a stink it will be laughed away by Republicans. Even though the most honest news sources are themselves being discredited, and are not trusted by at least half the population, they can still reach a lot of folks.

Burns me that most people don't know any of this. A lot of people that might just change their opinion, or get up to go vote, if they were made aware of this.

[0rganism]

41. unless...

[UCmeNdc]

42. This is really how we got to where we are today.

The GOP is rigging the elections. We need an over the top organized effort to regain the "one person one vote" concept again in actual voting, vote registration, and vote counting.

[Botany]

48. And having the vote on rigged voting machines is part of the plan too.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211352791

New Yorker article: How Voting-Machine Errors Reflect a Wider Crisis for American Democracy