Bernie Sanders Just Introduced a Bill That Would Transform Voting in America

[BigBearJohn]

http://mic.com/articles/123713/bernie-sanders-just-introduced-a-bill-that-would-transform-voting-in-america#.l9loIX2d9

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has introduced a bill in the Senate that would make Election Day a national holiday called "Democracy Day."

"We should be doing everything possible to make it easier for people to participate in the political process," Sanders said in statement about the bill. "Election Day should be a national holiday so that everyone has the time and opportunity to vote. While this would not be a cure-all, it would indicate a national commitment to create a vibrant democracy."

The bill he introduced was part of a package of proposals that were announced on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The other bill he unveiled mandates that states automatically register eligible citizens to vote.

http://mic.com/articles/123713/bernie-sanders-just-introduced-a-bill-that-would-transform-voting-in-america#.l9loIX2d9

[Duckhunter935]

1. I am sure Hillary

Will promote this and work hard to get it passed, as she can do everything.

[PWPippin]

26. She'll climb on for the ride.

[Betty Karlson]

102. Only until November. Third Way or the Highway: we need voters to stay away at midterm elections

or else the GOP will never win again, and the reason for shifting the Democratic Party to the right would disappear overnight. Can't have that! The power of Debbie commands you to abhor such a scenario.

So Clinton will say she wants Hillaryvote Day, and then make sure that the status quo is unobservedly maintained.

[George II]

138. No she won't, but I see that Bernie fans are "riding it" even though it failed to even get a vote...

........TWO years ago. Plus, it wasn't even his bill, it was one that Conyers/Stabenow wrote and introduced 9 years before that.

I'll bet all the Bernie Bandwagon Jumpers are embarrassed now!

[RichVRichV]

159. Why should we be?

It's a good bill. It should keep getting pushed until it gets passed, regardless of who first introduced it. I'm truly amazed anyone is against the bill. Higher turnout for elections can only be good for a Democracy.

[George II]

193. You're missing the point here, too. It's been presented here (and got 200+ recs) as though...

...it happened yesterday. And in the big picture of everything going on with the multi-trillion dollar Federal government, it's trivial.

You guys are all going agog over a 2-year old failed piece of legislation that would only have established a "holiday".

If he's so effective and revolutionary, what has he done since 2014, when this was first introduced?

Get any legislation passed?

[AgingAmerican]

210. Yes We Can't!!

[berni_mccoy]

45. She'll call it Hillaryvote

It was Hillaryvote before it was Democracy Day

[Duckhunter935]

48. lol, I know

[eppur_se_muova]

88. And we'll all celebrate Hillarween ! nt

[SusanaMontana41]

162. roflmao!

[Sheepshank]

167. And no more whining over using Bernistas, Bernie Bros or my favorite Bernie Brigade...right?

[CorporatistNation]

199. Hillaryous! We Will Wait For Her Ditto... On THIS!

She is pathetic in this regard...

[JTFrog]

206. Seems like you got that backwards.

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[Duckhunter935]

207. good for her

Has she done anything since? I am sure she will be in full support of Bernie's proposed legislation and will help try and get it passed.

[JTFrog]

208. I'm sure she will be in full support.

Well she isn't a Senator anymore, but she has made voting rights part of her campaign platform:

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-early-voting-nationwide

Hillary Clinton lays out sweeping voting rights vision
06/04/15 09:37 AM—UPDATED 06/04/15 11:08 PM

In a major speech on voting rights Thursday, Hillary Clinton laid out a far-reaching vision for expanding access to the ballot box, and denounced Republican efforts to make voting harder.

Speaking at Texas Southern University in Houston, Clinton called for every American to be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18 unless they choose not to be. She backed a nationwide standard of at least 20 days of early voting. She urged Congress to pass legislation strengthening the Voting Rights Act, which was gravely weakened by a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. And she slammed restrictive voting laws imposed by the GOP in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin, which she said affect minorities and students in particular.

https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/voting-rights/

Hillary has laid out her vision for how to expand access to the ballot box for all Americans and how to defend against the systematic, deliberate efforts to stop millions of citizens from participating in our democracy:
Repairing the Voting Rights Act. Congress should move quickly to pass legislation that would fix the damage done to the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court and restore the full protections American voters need and deserve. These protections are crucial for young and minority voters, seniors, and other underrepresented groups disproportionately affected by harmful Republican efforts to restrict voting.

Setting a new national standard for early voting. It’s time to set a standard across our country of at least 20 days of early in-person voting, including opportunities for evening and weekend voting. This will reduce long lines and give more people an opportunity to vote, especially those who have work or family obligations during the day. Early in-person voting isn’t just convenient—it’s also more secure, more reliable, and more affordable than absentee voting.

Implementing universal, automatic voter registration. Every citizen in every state should be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18, unless they choose to opt out. At the same time, we need to make sure that registration rolls are secure, up to date, and accurate. When you move, your registration should move with you. Modernizing registration will add tens of millions of voters to the rolls, cost less, and reduce the potential for errors or irregularities.

And she's been calling out the Republicans on their bullshit:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/jun/09/fact-checking-hillary-clinton-voting-rights/

Fact-checking Hillary Clinton on voting rights
By Angie Drobnic Holan on Tuesday, June 9th, 2015 at 12:32 p.m.

In a speech calling for an expansion of voting rights, Hillary Clinton attacked what she described as efforts to restrict voting by Republican governors who also are potential presidential candidates, singling out former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

PolitiFact looked into specific claims and found that her attack lines could use some context, but also that her carefully worded statements were largely accurate.

Not exactly nothing. I believe this issue is very important to both candidates.

[MADem]

216. HA HA HA HA HA!!!! OMG, that "IS" "Hillary-ous~!!" And guess who wasn't even in the Senate at

the time?



The smugness of some in this thread...and then, the reality.

Good grief!

"My Web site has information about everything I work on. This is one of my biggest priorities and obviously I hope that people who share our goal of making sure every vote counts will support us," said Clinton.

In addition to creating a federal holiday for voting, the bill would:

• Require paper receipts for votes.

• Authorize $500 million to help states make the changes in voting systems and equipment.

• Allow ex-felons to vote. Currently an estimated 4.7 million Americans are barred from voting because of their criminal records.

• Require adoption of the changes in time for the 2006 election.

[juxtaposed]

63. She'll use her pixie dust just like she did with the H2O in flint, and everything will be fine.

[Javaman]

71. hillary issues a press statement, "yeah, me too!" nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

130. Ha!

[George II]

133. Nope. Nothing to promote. The bill Sanders "just" introduced didn't even go to committee in.......

.....2014, two years ago.

So, even with your sarcastic comment about Hillary working hard to get it passed, you overlooked the fact Sanders hasn't been able to get it passed for two years.

OOOPS!

[passiveporcupine]

142. And that's Bernie's fault because?

What you don't get is that this is the time to put it out there again, and let the people see the recalcitrant republican obstructionists...in time for the next election for down vote candidates...so we, the vitalized revolution, will GOTV to kick these bastards out of congress.

If he does not promote the issue and they don't put a stop to it, then where is the incentive to fight to put Dems in congress?

This is his game. He's knows what he's doing. Will he win all the time? Hell no, but every little step he takes gets us that much closer to the revolution.

You can get on board, or you can be an obstructionist like the republicans.

[George II]

152. Geez, you're the third person to miss the point. He reintroduced this failed bill TWO years ago!!!

And it failed again.

"This is the time to put it out there again"? Well maybe if he did you would have a point, but he didn't put it out now, he did so 2 years ago.

[passiveporcupine]

161. Apparently you missed it

Sorry, on edit, I am wrong here. I didn't realize the date on the OP was last august. Still not that long ago, but he did not have the revolution behind him that he has now. He should reintroduce it again now.

[Empowerer]

155. I thought Bernie was a "fighter" who never says "No we can't"

Here's a perfect opportunity for him to fight but, instead of fighting, he dropped a bill, bragged about it and then walked away, not doing a thing to try to even get any co-sponsors, much less a hearing and a floor vote.

Bottom line, Sanders hasn't done a damned thing to advance this bill. That's fine. But for someone to post this as something he "just did" as some kind of proof of his commitment to voting rights is laughable. I'd be embarrassed to have put such a piece of nothing out there as some kind of accomplishment.

[passiveporcupine]

164. He doesn't give up

He will bring it up again, given the opportunity. But he also knows when the deck is stacked against him and is not going to waste his time on something that is going nowhere.

He needs us to fight for these things. In this current congress, he cannot get anything like this passed. Not when so many republicans are fighting voters right any which way they can.

[Empowerer]

177. "Bringing up" something is not "fighting for it. And introducing a bill is not even "bringing up"

something. It's nothing if you don't take any action to get it passed.

[Jenny_92808]

192. I responded to the wrong post.

I did not want to +1 your post.

[passiveporcupine]

196. Oh noes! Really?

[JTFrog]

205. Even though you are being sarcastic, you are right. She would.

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, BigBearJohn.

[tk2kewl]

3. he's a radical socialist!

[NV Whino]

4. And can we also have...

1. A designated primary season AKA short.

2. Primaries, if not on the same day, at least within a week of each other.

3. Do away with the caucus system.

[Dustlawyer]

24. With Publicly Funded Elections (PFE's) we could shorten the whole process.

It shouldn't take two years to run for the White House! PFE's would also attack the root problem that has taken away Representative Democracy, campaign contributions and Super PACs. The change in policies from our politicians would be dramatic once they are not getting paid for pushing corporate friendly laws. We would still have to be vigilant for illegal inducements for their votes, but that will always be there.

[NV Whino]

43. Excellent point.

[greiner3]

55. And Super Delegates

[NV Whino]

62. Yep.

[GeoWilliam750]

103. I am not actually sure that a short primary season is such a great idea

Had it been the case this time, Senator Sanders - or Obama last time - would have had to build a nationwide machine to take on TPTB. I think the forge of an extended primary season may ultimately be in our interest.

[colsohlibgal]

5. We Need To Make It Foolproof As Well

No more voting machines or computers!!! Strict custody control of the paper ballots, video taped counting with impartial observers.

The hodgepodge mess our voting is now is a disgrace and untrustworthy, it is amazing there is no momentum to fix it. Democrats may as well wear a "kick me" tag on their backs.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Those are all State level issues. Some States have no electronic voting, use all paper, have

automatic registration and strong counting and auditing systems. People in those States have no power to change what is done in other States. Any momentum to fix your State election processes needs to come from inside your State.
Here in Oregon, an election day holiday would rock because by election day we have already voted. It would be a day off at leisure. We'd totally support it and love it because it would encourage more voting in the States that have issues around voting.

I have never once used an electronic voting machine.

[AlbertCat]

80. Those are all State level issues.

That should change too.
In Federal elections, all means and methods should be identical. Local elections can be done the way the state wants, but with uniform Fed processes in place, they'd probably just use the same for locals too.

[demwing]

91. Federal elections should be covered by Federal law

Very little reason to keep the rules local.

[Jenny_92808]

195. I agree

Federal elections....Federal Laws

[Dustlawyer]

25. Their corporate masters do not want the voting system fixed, thats why Democrats have not pushed for

election reform. our system is corrupted down to the roots!

[GoneFishin]

57. Correct. The Democrats have not tried to fix electronic voting nor do they even talk about it.

They are into it deeper than they let on.

[JudyM]

7. Yes! Now let's have these debated by the all the candidates. Here's the text of the bills, FYI

Let's see how the conservatrons publicly argue against making voting easier for people.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/democracy-day-act-of-2015?inline=file

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/register-act?inline=file

[MrMickeysMom]

8. Thanks for the links, JudyM!

Bookmarking...

[lark]

78. Oh, I know how they will spin this.

It's an unfunded mandate against businesses that would suffer hardship from being closed an extra day. Oh, the job makers (lie, the 1% destroys as many or even more jobs than they create) must defer to them in everything, sayeth ALL Repugs. If you want to vote, you are on your own. Thankfully we still have some early voting in FL, which Scott tried to end and couldn't get it done, hahaha.

[MineralMan]

9. Well, not just introduced, sadly.

That bill went nowhere, also sadly. Many bills are introduced. Far fewer become law.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. He introduced it on the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act to make a point that needs to be made

as the article linked in the OP says
"Sanders' bills are unlikely to gain traction in Congress. For years now, Republicans have been waging war against democratic participation: They've been passing stringent voter ID laws and combating laws that allow for early voting and same-day registration. Restricting voting tends to be politically advantageous for Republicans, since measures that make voting more accessible tend to boost turnout among key Democratic constituencies, such as minorities and young people.

Last week on the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Sanders slammed lawmakers who suppress voting participation as "political cowards."

"If we believe in a vibrant democracy, we want to have the highest voter turnout in the world," he said."

I suppose the option of just letting the Voting Rights Act be forgotten until we know for sure we can make change is a valid one but I also like the 'sticking it in the eye of the GOP' method.

[Empowerer]

41. Bernie himself didn't try to get any support or action in this bill

[MineralMan]

76. Purely symbolic, I guess.

More's the pity. We could use such a law.

[Squinch]

182. Like ALL the bills he introduces which go nowhere. He's gotten 3 bills passed in 25 years.

Two of which were to name post offices.

[Android3.14]

52. Someone needs to read The Tao of Pooh

[pangaia]

10. I have NEVER been able to understand

why elections are on ONE day, for the most part during working hours for most people.

That is the stupidest thing I can imagine.. Or... maybe it is intentional...

[Bluenorthwest]

13. Elections are run according to rules made by each State. Here in Oregon 'election day' is just the

deadline for returning ballots we've had for two weeks, which we fill out when and where and how we wish and return by mail or to drop off sites such as the Elections Office.

[pangaia]

15. I forgot about that..

Thanks.

Is that true for primaries also?

Still, it seems even voting in person could be made easier.

[renate]

64. it's true for every time we vote

Voting by mail is so excellent! I simply do not understand why it isn't an option everywhere. Well, no, I do understand why certain persons want voters to stand in line for hours....

[bvar22]

89. There are no Exit Polls for Mail In Ballots, and that gives me a creepy feeling in my stomach.

Exit Polls are important. In the rest of the civilized World, Exit Polls are the gold Standard for verification.
The same is true for one day elections.
If elections are open over several days, Exit Polling becomes more difficult.

I absolutely believe in multiple, independent Exit Polls "to keep them honest",
and in the era of Black Box Voting, they are more important than ever.

A National Holiday for elections would be a great improvement. Every Presidential election year is a
Leap Year where we get an extra day anyway. Lets use that extra day to expand our democracy
to everyone.

[nadinbrzezinski]

116. Two points

Each state makes it's rules. We have 51 state elections.

But the date was set on purpose. You do not vote on Sunday in 1782. That is the lords day. You got a day to travel to your county seat. That be Monday. And you did not vote if you were not male and white and land owner.

Personally the best solution is vote by mail and automatic registration at 18 if eligible many states will fight this.

[Cosmocat]

218. It should be,but today

it would not make a huge difference.

I work my poll, and am in favor of pretty much anything that can help get the somatic citizens of this country out to vote.

This would help a bit, but probably would end almost a net neutral thing because people would take a vacation day on Monday and use it to get a four day weekend trip.

[speaktruthtopower]

12. Worth considering..

but how many votes will we lose when people take four day weekends?

[brooklynite]

16. So he didn't feel it was necessary for the 2014 election?

The 2012 election?

The 2010 election?

The 2008 election?

The 2007 election?

[thereismore]

23. OK that's it. Bye.

[Bobbie Jo]

27. +1

Grandstanding 101.

Better late than never, I suppose.

[cantbeserious]

38. Grandstanding - Adopting Many Of Your Opponents Positions Since The Campaign Started

eom

[frylock]

30. Not good enough, Bernie!

[DhhD]

59. Conservatives took down parts of the Voting Rights Bill of 1965 here recently.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/249959-republicans-slam-brakes-on-voting-rights-bill


http://www.npr.org/2013/06/25/195557564/what-changes-after-supreme-court-ruling-on-voting-rights-act


Rep. Lewis endorsed Hillary Clinton on July 30, 2015. What have the two of them been doing to help restore voting rights?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/6/24/1396038/-John-Lewis-has-a-strong-Bill-to-restore-the-Voting-Rights-Act


Clinton has done nothing to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965 but got the endorsement of Lewis anyway!
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrSbgYtDMJWeXQAe7xXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3NmcARncHJpZANuWklHWlNrSlI2S0NGcnFSYlh0TERBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMwBG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzYxBHF1ZXJ5A1JlcCBKb2huIExld2lzIG9uIHJlc3RvcmluZyBTZWN0aW9ucyBvZiB0aGUgVm90aW5nIFJpZ2h0cyBBY3QEdF9zdG1wAzE0NTU1NTc5MTI-?p=Rep+John+Lewis+on+restoring+Sections+of+the+Voting+Rights+Act&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=sfp

[AlbertCat]

81. So he didn't feel it was necessary for the 2014 election?

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s2918

https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2918

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1969


Any other questions?

[Lucinda]

92. ZERO cosponsors.

Pretty much says it all.

[AlbertCat]

145. Pretty much says it all.

about the rest of Congress and business as usual.

But of course the question wasn't about co-sponsors.

What's the Hilanator done about the problem?

[Lucinda]

147. Yep. NONE of what he proposed in 2015 had a single Rep cosponsor either

So he's not too good at crossing the aisle to get things moving.

[AlbertCat]

151. So he's not too good at crossing the aisle to get things moving.

Like Hillary will be. They'll do anything she asks!


Get a grip.


From Wiki:
"While a member of the U.S. Senate, Clinton sponsored 713 pieces of legislation.[11] Of these, three[12] became law:"

Let's see....

S1242 Establishes the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in Troy, New York. Authorizes appropriations.

S3613 Names post office after Major George Quamo, U.S. Army

S3145 Named U.S. Route Highway after late journalist, Tim Russet

Well we know who to call when we need a PO or US Route named!

[Lucinda]

153. I didn't say that. I said HE didn't do it. n/t

[Jenny_92808]

198. Clicking on the 1st link in your post

brought me to this beauty (I wonder if it is some cruz scumware)...

[link:[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]|

[liberalnarb]

200. Or maybe he just wasn't running for President then.

Just a thought.

[Jarqui]

17. He introduced that last August but he's been at it since early 1980s ...

Sanders Backs Voting Rights Bill 06/24/2015
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-backs-voting-rights-bill_-----

Sanders in Selma Says Civil Rights Struggle Continues March 7, 2015
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-in-selma-says-civil-rights-struggle-continues

“What Bloody Sunday was about was showing the entire country and the entire world how far some of the racist officials in Alabama would go to prevent African-Americans from participating the political process and from voting,” Sanders said. “What happened on that bridge that day was a huge step forward for democracy in America. But what is happening right now – not just in the South but all over this country – are efforts by Republican governors and Republican legislatures to make it harder for African-Americans, for low-income people and for senior citizens to vote.”

Sanders Proposes ‘Democracy Day’ 11/07/2014
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-proposes-democracy-day

“We should not be satisfied with a ‘democracy’ in which more than 60 percent of our people don't vote and some 80 percent of young people and low-income Americans fail to vote. We can and must do better than that.

Voter ID Laws Put Price on Voting and Hurt Turnout, GAO Finds 10/08/2014
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/voter-id-laws-put-price-on-voting-and-hurt-turnout-gao-finds

Sanders Statement on Voting Rights Ruling June 25, 2013
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-voting-rights-ruling

“The Supreme Court has turned back the clock on equality in America by striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The landmark civil rights law that Congress passed almost five decades ago, and reauthorized with overwhelming bipartisan support only seven years ago, has been an important tool to protect voters in places with a history of discrimination. The law is as necessary today as it was in the era of Jim Crow laws. We must act immediately to rewrite this vital law.”

Voter ID Laws Put Price on Voting and Hurt Turnout, GAO Finds October 8, 2014
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/voter-id-laws-put-price-on-voting-and-hurt-turnout-gao-finds

Sanders initiated the request to the GAO. “We must make it easier, not harder, for poor and working people to vote and to participate in the political process. These state laws aren’t really intended to discourage fraud, they’re intended to discourage voting. The GAO looked at study after study and found no credible evidence of voter fraud having had any impact whatsoever on the outcome of any election in recent history.”

“This report is even more proof that these state laws significantly suppress and discourage Americans from exercising their constitutionally protected right to vote,” said Durbin, chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. “Supporters of these laws argue that they will reduce the risk of voter fraud. The overwhelming evidence, however, indicates that voter impersonation fraud is virtually non-existent and that these new laws will make it harder for hundreds of thousands of elderly, disabled, minority, young, rural, and low income Americans to exercise their most basic right.”

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1992 (House of Representatives - June 16, 1992)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r102:48:./temp/~r102ZIvydi:e138773:
(don't know if the above link will work)

Mr. SANDERS . I thank the chairman for yielding this time to me, and congratulations to him for his work over the years on this important issue.

Let us be clear what we are talking about this afternoon. What we are talking about is the most fundamental and important issue that this institution can address, and that is whether or not we are satisfied that the United States of America today is at the bottom, the bottom of the list of industrialized nations in terms of voter turnout? Are we happy that last congressional elections, two-thirds of the American people did not vote and the estimate is that this presidential election half the people will not vote? Are we happy that 90 percent of poor people do not vote and 3 out of 4 young people do not vote?

What this issue is about is opening the doors of democracy to all of our citizens, to make it as easy as possible for all people, for the young, for the poor, for the working people to participate in the political process.

When this country was formed, it was rich, white men who could vote, and people struggled; then it was all white men. Then finally, after women fought very hard, it was women as well. And after minorities and blacks fought very hard, we allowed black people the right to vote.

What this legislation says is that if you are an American citizen, if you are over 18 years of age, you should vote, the door is open to your voting , we want you to vote.

If you believe in democracy, if you believe in the right of people, all people, to control the future of this country, we must support this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I urge a strong `yes' vote.

The last one above was during his first session in congress in 1992.

Even in Burlington as Mayor before he came to congress, he made changes and boosted voting 50%.

"90 percent of poor people do not vote and 3 out of 4 young people do not vote"
He has also mentioned minorities or specifically blacks

He's been fighting for this for a long time. And you can see minimum wage, campaign finance reform, income inequality, civil rights, housing, incarceration of blacks, etc - nearly everything he's fighting for today back in the congressional record of the early 90s.

Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself:
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/LegislativeData.php?&n=Record&c=111

[Empowerer]

37. Lots of talking, but what's he actually DONE?

He hasn't even bothered to fight for his own bill, which has languished in the Senate since he introduced it six minths ago - and he hasn't lifted a finger or said much about it since last August when he introduced it to much fanfare.

[Plucketeer]

46. What's his opponent done to this end?

She served in the senate. What voting legislation do we own her tenure there?

[Empowerer]

148. That's nice. But what has HE done?

[Plucketeer]

187. He's been trying since he's been in congress.

And just as he tells us - he CAN'T institute changes on his own, it's up to THE PEOPLE to put the power behind his proposals. If WE don't do OUR PART, Bernie's efforts will come to naught.
People of wealth and corporations hire lobbyists to prod and bribe politicians. WE must be our own lobbyists or just say the hell with it. Anything Dame Hillary gets passed will get passed because SOME facet of it serves business - ala saving the Health Insurance industry from extinction and money-sucking so they'll be there for her re-election campaign!

[JTFrog]

190. This one.

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[DUbeornot2be]

49. Yeah...

...I guess I see your point.

He should immediately suspend his campaign for President so he can pursue one issue instead of the myriad of issues he's trying to take on as President...

[Empowerer]

69. He doesn't have to suspend anything to do his job

Why'd he introduce the legislation if he didn't intend to fight for it - or even mention it,

Why isn't he calling out his troops to force the Senate to move the bill?

[Jarqui]

58. 1. He's a little busy running for president in case you didn't notice

2. The Democrats do not control either chamber.

He's been outspoken on it for years - in congress and outside it. He's worked with others in congress on it. But he doesn't set the legislative agenda.

[Empowerer]

68. I see - he's too busy running for President to do his job and the Republican congress won't let him

Why didn't he introduce and fight for this bill before running for President kept him too busy to do his job?

[Jarqui]

70. He did. He's been fighting for voter rights since 1991 or before

It's up to those running the legislative body to give this serious consideration. He's just keeping it in their face.

As Mayor of Burlington he boosted turnout 50%

[cali]

66. He's done far more than hilly, that for fucking sure.

She is the me me me candidate.

[Empowerer]

149. But what has he DONE?

[Feeling the Bern]

144. In her eight years in the senate, what did Camp Weathervane do?

Oh yeah. . .next to nothing.

[Empowerer]

150. We're talking about Bernie, not Hillary. What has HE done?

[Feeling the Bern]

158. Since your attack is about Bernie, I'd like to know, before you sidestep again,

since you have nothing, what Camp Weathervane the DLC Triangulation did in her time?

As for Bernie:

https://pplswar.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/what-bernie-sanders-got-done-in-washington-a-legislative-inventory/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251605502

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/06/1428616/-Bernie-Sanders-What-the-Hell-Have-You-Done-for-Us-Lately


Don't let facts get in your way though.

[Empowerer]

176. Pointing out that he introduced a bill and has not done anything to get it passed is not an attack -

it's a fact

[Feeling the Bern]

180. IT's more than Hillary did in the Senate. But don't let that cloud your judgement

Bernie was a great person to most people on DU before he dared challenge the coronation.

Now, it's time to destroy.

Another Clinton supporter I am going to ignore now until after the primary.

[Empowerer]

186. Deflection

We're not talking about Hillary. I've been responding to a thread led by an OP that breathlessly announced that Sanders had JUST introduced legislation that was going to TRANSFORM Voting in America because it turns out that he didn't JUST introduce it - he introduced it 6 months ago - and he apparently hasn't done a single thing since to try to get the bill passed (an essential prerequisite if it's going to transform voting in America).

This has nothing to do with Hillary. This is about supporters mischaracterizing Sanders' actions as something they're not. It he's doing good things, that's great - tell us what they are. But don't throw out a stale, half-assed piece of legislation that even Sanders himself clearly lost interest in a long time ago and try to convince people that it's a some kind of revolutionary act.

[JTFrog]

191. Wait what?

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[certainot]

174. the most fixable obstruction to getting something like this passed

are 260 limbaugh stations that depend heavily on the continued endorsements from these 90 major universities

and they have no excuse

[Jarqui]

204. MoveOn.org has been going after sponsors for a while with some success

I have a feeling they're reaching a point of diminishing returns

That site's been active and trying for a year.

You'll never get it through a Republican congress

[Old Codger]

18. For sure

Way Way overdue

[jwirr]

19. That is actually funny. He has now asked the Rs and Hillary

people to vote for democracy. Now we will see what they actually believe.

[Lancero]

44. Well, as above shows...

Rather then supporting Bernie's bill that would help increase the number of voters, they'd rather oppose it because he should have done it sooner. (Thank god that this kind of 'logic' wasn't around the time of the CRA or VRA)

...Huh, kinda similar to Republican obstructionism actually.

[Orsino]

20. Headline is now misleading, but good on him. n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. And, the most important change needs to be - TRASHING EVOTING MACHINES. Paper ONLY. n/t

[Plucketeer]

50. I'll bet that if we had legislators that didn't

take money from voting machine manufacturers, we could revert back to paper in a Scalia heartbeat!

[appalachiablue]

51. +1

[Ichingcarpenter]

22. Kick n/t

[blm]

28. Common Sense Progress to believe in!

.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

29. We're one of the only countries that requires citizens to register.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

97. Homogeneously Caucasian ND

does without voter registration also.

Alexander Keyssar's definitive history, The Right to Vote, explains why that concurrence is no coincidence.

[33taw]

31. Did he get bi-partisan support? If not, it really does not matter.

[Empowerer]

40. He didn't get any co-sponsors on either side of the aisle

And he hasn't done anything on it since he dropped it six months ago. This is nothing but a vanity bill.

[DUbeornot2be]

54. Yeah...

...working to bring millions of voters into the system is a really poor strategy for him to get things done in the Senate...

...or, using your logic, he should spend all his time posturing in the Senate while knowing there is absolutely no chance of getting anything passed under the current leadership.

The establishment has always put 'looking like you're doing something' ahead of actually trying to get things done...

[Empowerer]

65. Introducing a bill and letting it die in the Senate is not "working" to do anything

Working to get legislation passed is not "posturing." Introducing a billl with no co-sponsors and doing nothing to build support forbit or to get it passed isvthe very definition of the word.

Why doesn't he encourage his new revolution to help him get his bill passed?

[DUbeornot2be]

72. Because...

...as I was suggesting, he can get it done as President, and so much more.

But yeah, keep pretending he doesn't care enough to do anything...

[Empowerer]

112. Yes, let's just wait until he becomes President - kind of like Nixon's secret plan to end the war...

[drray23]

123. why would he be able to get it done as a president?

As a president he wont even be able to introduce bills, let alone vote for it. He will have to convince other senators to vote for it. Since he has not managed until now as a senator, why would he as a president?

[NorthCarolina]

74. It lets voters know beyond a shadow of a doubt where he stands on the issue.

eom

[noiretextatique]

100. being a clinton supporter is tough

against jobs for inner city youth, and against a voting holiday.

[JTFrog]

129. That's not even close.

Sticking with the topic in the OP, I'd like you to tell me how you figure Hillary is against a voting holiday.

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[BlueMTexpat]

32. While I agree that this is an

extremely worthwhile change, the first person actually to propose Democracy Day in the US Congress was Rep John Conyers (D-MI). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Day_(United_States)

Those darn "Establishment" Dems!

Some states already have a civic holiday on Election Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_Day_(United_States)

Election Day is a civic holiday in some states, including Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico. Some other states require that workers be permitted to take time off from employment without loss of pay. California Elections Code Section 14000 provides that employees otherwise unable to vote must be allowed two hours off with pay, at the beginning or end of a shift. A coincidental federal holiday, Democracy Day, has been unsuccessfully proposed.

Those who are truly serious about this will likely have better - and faster - luck working with their own state legislatures (in some case, a hopeless task, I realize, but still ...). Bernie's bill - sadly - does not have a prayer with THIS Congress.

[George II]

135. Yes, Conyers (and Debbie Stabenow) introduced this bill almost ELEVEN years ago, and Sanders'....

...introduction was two years ago.

246 recs for a two-year old news story about a bill that failed.

[Empowerer]

156. Go figure

and this will be added to list of Things Bernie has Done to Fight for Civil Rights . .

[drokhole]

33. John Oliver's latest segment: Voting

[BlueMTexpat]

160. That was great!

Thanks for posting!

[33taw]

34. Did he get bi-partisan support? If not, it does not really matter and is just a political move.

[Empowerer]

35. He introduced this bill six months ago - and hasn't lifted a finger on it since

He didn't get any co-sponsors (even though getting co-sponsors is one of the easiest things to do in the Senate), hasn't made any floor statements supporting it, hasn't pushed for any hearings, and has barely mentioned it on the campaign trail, even though he now has a huge bully pulpit. Sanders' bill is just sitting dormant in the Judiciary Committee and Bernie doesn't seem to have made a peep about it.

Is this what's meant by "fighting for civil rights?"

[bigdarryl]

36. There is already a new voting right bill sitting in Congress that John Lewis introduced two years

Ago The Republicans refuse to move on it.

[cantbeserious]

39. Go Bernie Go

eom

[retrowire]

42. B-B-but he's a single issue candidate!!!

He only cares about wall st!!!!1

XD

GO BERNIE!!!

[TIME TO PANIC]

47. K & R!

[appalachiablue]

53. K& R Thom Hartmann just read your news & named you on his radio/TV show.:)

[quantass]

56. I never understood why USA had this infatuation with TUESDAY for voting when Weekends seemed obv. nt

[Duval]

60. BIG K&R! nt

[snort]

61. YES! YES! YES!

Keep pushing this one Bernie. Absolutely. Let's see the repukes put down 'Democracy Day'. Of course, with his reputation for working with the other side, expect the same thing but it'll be called 'Patriots and Jesus Day'.

[Empowerer]

113. Bernie's not pushing this at all

I don't think he's even mentioned it since he introduced the bill six months ago The Republicans don't have to "put down" anything when the bill's sponsor doesn't bother to try to get it passed

[SheilaT]

67. Let's see. a national holiday.

Sounds like a nice idea, but companies would resist mightily giving the day off to their employees. Not to mention the millions of people who don't work regular 8-5 office jobs: police, nurses, fast food people, anyone in retail, and so on. And I can just see the Election Day Sales, where Walmart and others open up at 5am, requiring all staff to work a twelve hour shift that day.

No, better to have uniform early voting that starts about a month before election day itself, with enough locations to make it easy for anyone and everyone to vote early. Enough voting locations on election day itself with plenty of machines or booths to fill out the ballot. Same day registration.

I think those changes would be vastly improve voter turnout.

[blackspade]

73. Support 100%

[lark]

75. Great idea

Unfortunately it will never pass. Repugs are all about preventing people from voting so of course this is totally contrary to their interests. They don't give a damn about democracy, they just want power and will do anything and everything to ensure they get it.

[Bad Dog]

77. Americans have less holidays than Europeans.

It's not a macho thing it's an exploitative thing. Bush's presidency showed the high ups have plenty of time for golf and other leisure pursuits.

[AlbertCat]

79. make Election Day a national holiday

Impossible!
The country is just not ready for such a radical move.
We should work with the election day we have now and make it better before scrapping election days altogether!
This is just unicorns that poo rainbow colored ice-cream!
Wake up! Be pragmatic!













oh....

[Blue_Tires]

82. So where is the bill now?

Is it actually going somewhere, or is it just a feel-good bill?

[bettyellen]

83. Old news-this was "just" last Summer, and he got no support for it. Deceptive headline about a dead

bill. I guess that's why LBN doesn't let you post old headlines, and GDP lets you edit it for more accuracy. Which would have been helpful in this case.
Now a bunch of people are going to think this is a current event. Oh well.

[AlbertCat]

86. Deceptive headline about a dead bill.

He reintroduces it year after year to keep it alive.

It's symbolic, and a reminder of some of the simple things that can be done if anyone was actually governing.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

84. Wouldn't early voting

for at least a minimum number of weeks mandated and paid for by the Federal government be much more effective? EPIC FAIL for Bernie.

And what about voter id laws and felon disfranchisement, which Al Sharpton asked SBS to prioritize just last week? Why doesn't Bernie LISTEN to what important Democratic constotuencies want?

[Empowerer]

114. A national holiday won't do much good since many people still have to work on holidays

More effective is to expand early voting nationwide so that people have many more options for the days and times they can vote.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

169. Agreed. EPIC FAIL for Senator BS

Thank you for explaining WHY--I neglected to point out that holidays mean nothing to minimum wage workers and many others not protected by civil service or by unions.

Even in supposedly liberal NJ, Governor Crispy Kreme vetoed legislation that would have restored early voting on the Sunday before Election Day. That's the day when millions of people of color drive carloads of voters to the polls directly from church.

But not in NJ. Can't have that.

IMO barring early voting on that day may be even more effective in suppressing minority turnout relative to white turnout than Voters ID, but flies under the NAACP radar much better.

A ucsd.edu prof named Zoltan Hajnal recently estimated Voter ID suppresses minority turnout by 4.8 to 5.7 percentage points. See http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/10/voter-id-paper/ and my GD thread on that study at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027612863


.

[Sheepshank]

85. Another bill unlikely to pass...it's what he does.

Bernie rails, complains and finally accomplished renaming post offices.... Oh and he votes for other people's bills, bit never gets anything passed into actual law.

[JTFrog]

87. Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote (Feb. 2005)

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005

Just FYI for those saying Clinton would never do this. Kind of like the first reply in thread.

[seaglass]

93. Lol. This will not be acknowledged, it does not align with the evil Hillary theme. n/t

[JTFrog]

131. You called that right. n/t

[kjones]

211. Knowing them, they all have you blocked or something. nt

[liberal_at_heart]

90. I like it. I hope will also introduce legislation to make all voting mail in voting.

There are a few states including here in WA that do mail in voting and it is a fantastic way to vote.

[Ferd Berfel]

94. Bernie - OUT in front...AGAIN!

[kjones]

212. Not quite...

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.



http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


Just FYI for those saying Clinton would never do this. Kind of like the first reply in thread.

[SoapBox]

95. Hillary and Ilk will say, No! We Can't!

Hell, the Entrenched Elite Establishment doesn't want more of us little peon people voting...we might do something dumb and vote against the Elite!

[JTFrog]

99. Maybe if you repeat that often enough people will believe you. That's how it works right?

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.

She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005

[33taw]

96. I'd rather see a realistic bill promoting voting rights that has a chance to pass.

The "pie in the sky" stuff just won' fly. We need to take small steps with this congress if we want progress in areas we are so far apart on with Republicans or we'll have not progress at all.

[liberal_at_heart]

98. This Congress won't approve voting rights either. That's not to say we shouldn't fight for it.

We should fight for all of it. That's why I am voting for Bernie.

[Koinos]

101. Another "proposed" bill.

[jillan]

104. Yes, much better to not even try.

[Koinos]

115. Better to propose bills that have some chance of success.

Proposing bills is not the same as getting things done, unless proposing bills is an end in itself.

It is better to lift one hundred pounds than it is to "try" to lift a thousand pounds.

There is a big space between doing nothing and hoping to do everything all at once.

Doing something operates in that space.

A long journey begins with a single step.

The ideal and the real have to communicate and mutually transform one another.

[liberal_at_heart]

127. With this Congress the only thing that has a chance at passing is cuts to social services

which the pragmatic Democrats seem obliged to compromise on. No I think I will chose the candidate willing to fight for what we need even if it doesn't get passed. Then after Bernie gets elected we will work to get more liberal members of Congress and governors so we can get what we need passed.

[Koinos]

140. Republicans are not very conversant with reality.

By the way, "pragmatism" (see John Dewey and William James) doesn't mean "selling out." It means using actual resources or means to achieve an end or goal. This process requires full awareness of things as they are -- reality. Pragmatism does require adjustment of ideals to real conditions. There is a negotiating process or "compromise" involved. Without compromise, nothing gets achieved, whether in politics or in human relationship. For example, friendship and marriage require compromise. I'm sure you already know that from your personal experience. Working together with others requires adjustment of our needs and desires in the light of the needs and desires of others. We accomplish more through cooperation than we do through confrontation. That is the heart of the democratic way of life: cooperation, communication, and "compromise."

Sanders will have to have "coattails" in "down-ticket" races if he hopes to get anything done. Otherwise, he will propose or veto for four years without any effect. The first agenda is to regain a Democratic majority in the senate. I believe that to be even more important than who is president. It will be a good thing if electing Sanders gets more young people involved in the political process and gets them working on the local level to elect more Democrats. But electing a president is not a cure-all and won't necessarily lead to an immediate transformation of American beliefs and culture. Nothing happens right away. You know that from your own life experience. Transformations in our lives are gradual. We work extremely hard in order to get very little done. Transforming society and politics is even more difficult.

I am looking forward to greater attention to specific strategies and means when it comes to some of the very general goals of the Sanders campaign. I think one of these strategies will have to be coalition-forming with many individuals who are presently demonized by overly enthusiastic supporters of Sanders. Some of those considered enemies may very well be potential friends. It would be wise for Sanders supporters to engage in bridge-building rather than bridge-destroying. People have to work together based upon what they have in common, rather than focus solely on how they differ. Alliances are essential in politics, as they are in life. Furthermore, the process of thought requires even differing with ourselves and changing our minds. Self questioning (doubt) is essential for thought. What sense would it make to demonize everyone who does not believe exactly as we believe right now, in this instant? It would follow that we would perhaps demonize the person we were yesterday or the person we become tomorrow. Changing one's mind due to reevaluation of facts and reworked ends or purposes is the secret of adaptation and successful striving.

[Jester Messiah]

105. Amazing how he has the time to campaign and STILL DO HIS F'N JOB

Ya hear that Rubio? Cruz?! McConnell!? Do your damn jobs!!

[Empowerer]

119. He introduced a bill six months ago and has done nothing since to try to get it passed. And you're

bragging that that's doing his job?

Some folks here are actually defending that by claiming that he's too busy running for President to try to get his own bill passed.

This was a symbolic gesture, nothing more And he hasn't even bothered to push the symbolism of his own bill on the campaign trail. So much for doing "his f'n job."

[Jester Messiah]

126. He's doing more than the "no we can't" crowd that you so aptly resemble.

Even a symbolic gesture is more than the "sorry, Republicans won't let us" that we get from Hillary.

[Empowerer]

134. Introducing a bill that goes nowhere and not even mentioning it afterward is diddly-squat

If I were a Bernie supporter, I'd be too embarrassed to even bring it up - much less go around bragging about it - it's so worthless.

You should really just let this one go. It's pathetic

[kjones]

214. Derp...

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.



http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


Just FYI for those saying Clinton would never do this. Kind of like the first reply in thread.

[Bread and Circus]

107. Does Hillary support this?

[JTFrog]

111. Of course.

From Feb 2005:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005
Sponsor: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (6)

[Empowerer]

120. And it's not going to pass. It has no co-sponsors and hasn't even had a hearing . . .

It's dead and he doesn't seem to care.

[moondust]

109. The "nuts and bolts" of a "revolution."

[Empowerer]

122. A revolution is introducing a bill with no co-sponsors and then doing absolutely nothing to get it

passed? Not even mentioning it?

Some revolution.

[Sheepshank]

110. PLEASE...let me know if it passes

The passage of any Bill that Bernie introduces (that is more substantive than naming a post office) would be something to take note of.

[Live and Learn]

125. We already know DWS and some people here on DU don't want it to pass.

Some kind of like the way things are and everyone voting would change things.

[Sheepshank]

166. And what were the excuses the last 25 years for not passing several bills of serious concern?

Sounds like you think DWS has the Senate under her control since before she even graduated high school. Do you see what a dumb premis you just tried to lay out?

[Live and Learn]

168. Where did I say that? Oh right, I didn't. You are wrongly projecting, again! nt

[Sheepshank]

170. Bernie has had a poor track record of passing any of his bills. A total of 3

Two of which was to name a post office. And now you are looking for excuses why any of his bills don't pass. You invoked DWS. His piss poor record of introducing any bills that have passed into law has its own 25 year track record. He has no idea how to make a bill a reality. Has nothing to,do with DWS

[Live and Learn]

171. This crap has been answered many times, please find something original. nt

[Sheepshank]

173. Where?.....links previously produced were voting records.

Not bills he introduced and had pass.

I think you are mistaken

[Live and Learn]

179. And you refuse to use co-sponsored too, right? Pathetic.

[Sheepshank]

181. He didn't introduce those cosponsored bills. Show where Bernie has actually done something

...where he did something other that add a vote or ride the coat tails of others that wrote bills.

You will have a really hard time finding and bills that Bernie introduced that passed into law. His do nothing record is for all to see. Of course there will be your excuses of everything else he has done except the subject at hand is the passage of his bills. Something you attempt to blame on DWS for some strange reason.

[Live and Learn]

184. I'll show you his if you show me Hillary's. nt

[loyalsister]

117. Even better would be an affirmative right to vote

"Every citizen of the United States who is of legal voting age,'' it reads, "shall have the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides."

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/11/03/should-voting-in-an-election-be-a-constitutional-right/a-voting-rights-amendment-would-guarantee-democratic-principles

[uponit7771]

118. Hmmm... this is ... something a lil different... we'll see

[Live and Learn]

121. K&R Wow, he is making good on his promises before he even wins. nt

[Empowerer]

124. This thread follows an all-too-typical pattern on DU

The OP presents an exaggerated claim about Bernie Sanders. In this case, it's that "Sanders JUST introduced a bill that would transform America." Turns out that Sanders didn't "Just" introduce this bill. The bill was introduced last August and Sanders has done little, if anything, since then to promote or advance the bill

The next step in this gambit is, when it is pointed out that the claim is not quite accurate, to make implausible excuses, such as "Bernie's been too busy running for President" to try to actually get the legislation passed.

When that fails, the next tactic is to deflect the discussion with the tried-and-true demand to know "What has HILLARY done?!"

Time to cue the "there you go attacking Bernie again" posts . .

[MrWendel]

128. THIS

[kjones]

215. Besides, Hillary beat him to it by a decade or so at least...

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.



http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


Just FYI for those saying Clinton would never do this. Kind of like the first reply in thread.

[George II]

132. Sanders "just" introduced it? Where have you been?

First, it was introduced in 2005 by John Conyers, with an accompanying bill introduced by Debbie Stabenow. The bills lapsed.

So, Sanders "just" reintroduced it............IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, two years ago!!!! No action has been taken on it.

As with everything else he does, he "leads from behind", introducing a bill that failed a decade earlier and hasn't been acted upon for almost two years.

You should read your own articles before you post them.

[senz]

141. Now George, I'm sure you understand that OPs often use original titles of articles.

Rather than fight the bill with disparaging rhetoric, you, as a United States citizen, should welcome it.

True, the baddies in congress will not pass it, but if enough people like you and me (voters!) back these things, they would stand a better chance. Let's not give up!

(Yes, dear, I took you off ignore. Am hoping you'll deserve it.)

[George II]

154. Now senz, I see you didn't read the article either. That bill died in 2005 and when Sanders...

....reintroduced it two years ago, it died again. "The baddies in congress" not only will not pass it, but they didn't pass it the two times it was introduced. In fact, it never even came up for a vote.

Now if this OP with the article had been posted back in 2014 it might be something to discuss. But I can't blame either you or the OP, even the person who wrote the article (in August 2015) missed the fact that Sanders introduced it in 2014.

Bernie Sanders Just Introduced a Bill That Would Transform Voting in America

By Zeeshan Aleem August 11, 2015

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Day_(United_States)

The bill was recently reintroduced on Nov. 12, 2014 by independent Senator Bernie Sanders. It has not been enacted

[senz]

172. Yes, I did read it

but I appreciate your thoroughness and attention to detail. Very good qualities, Sir George.

The point is, Bernie tried, and will continue to try, to get this kind of legislation passed. This is where his heart is.

He introduced another bill at the same time which mandates that states automatically register eligible citizens to vote.

This is the kind of person we need in the presidency.

[George II]

175. If he can't get "Democracy Day" passed....

......how is he going to get all the truly important stuff passed?

[lovemydog]

136. I'm 100% in favor.

Let's make voting in all elections easier for working people.

More early voting, holiday for elections including midterms!

[JDPriestly]

137. I love it. One year, I could not vote because I had to work such

long hours and was working late. I now vote absentee just in case. Since I'm retired now, I don't have to worry about working too late to vote. But in some states, it is harder to get an absentee ballot than it is in California.

Great proposal.

Feel the Bern!

[senz]

139. Bernie's instincts are PERFECT for a democratic republic. He should have greater power

because he would use the power of the presidency only to help the American people -- which is what our founders intended.

He introduced this bill in August on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. It, and the other bill he introduced, would help bring us back to the healthier democracy we were before Reagan.

"We should be doing everything possible to make it easier for people to participate in the political process," Sanders said in statement about the bill. "Election Day should be a national holiday so that everyone has the time and opportunity to vote. While this would not be a cure-all, it would indicate a national commitment to create a vibrant democracy."

The bill he introduced was part of a package of proposals that were announced on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The other bill he unveiled mandates that states automatically register eligible citizens to vote.

[mike dub]

143. K&R

I see South Carolina and Nevada having their primaries on Saturdays and I'm thinking all states should. And a national holiday for the national/general elections would be fantastic.

[24601]

146. We have early voting in Florida. So I'm going to have to insist he gives us two weeks paid vacation

instead of just one day.

[zentrum]

157. Feels so good to be supporting this guy! nt

[riversedge]

163. Bernie is pandering for votes. Why didn't he do his in previous years in the Senate??? Article

is from Aug 2015

[Empowerer]

178. And if it's so important, why hasn't he done anything to promote this bill or try to get it passed?

[kjones]

213. Feels so good to be supporting Hillary!

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.
She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.



http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.00450:

S.450
Latest Title: Count Every Vote Act of 2005


Just FYI for those saying Clinton would never do this. Kind of like the first reply in thread.

[Hoyt]

165. I'm fine with that, but most states have early voting and absentee ballots where

one can sit at home and vote. I don't think Sanders' plan will make much difference and it is not new.

[RBInMaine]

183. So will his revolutionaries get this passed? C'mon revolutionaries, show us how it's done!

[B Calm]

185. The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. –Alice Walker

[ecstatic]

194. Good point. The agents of revolution should already be in place

even though he's not elected yet. I guess we'll see. Despite my skepticism, I support his idea and think it should go even further. A simple, more reliable way to vote absentee... On election day, from home.

[fun n serious]

188. Again? He must think people are dumb to do this AGAIN now

We have been trying to do this for years. Bernie bringing this up right now just tells me he needs to show people he is doing SOMETHING. His resume shows nothing.

[Silver_Witch]

189. Make it so Bernie!

I have always said this and completely agree that voting day should be NO WORK day - period. Given hospitals and other mandatory help should be operating - but they could do smaller shifts and the polls should be open from 7am to midnight.

I also think that voting by mail should be much easier - here in California we can use mail int ballots just because we want to - not for a reason.

[Avalux]

197. This is something I've wanted my whole life. Thank you Bernie!!

Not that it will pass, but we need to keep pushing for this.

[pat_k]

201. k & r

[liberalnarb]

202. This is awesome.

Not only is this bill phenomenal for Democracy, but it would mean the ultimate END of the gop. Imagine all the Democratic victories...

[mrmpa]

209. I would love this to happen............

however, holidays in America have steadily been degraded. I recall as a kid, that when there was an upcoming holiday, my Dad made sure the car was gassed up, Mom made sure we had food in the house, etc. Because there would be no businesses open on the holiday.

Even today, in PA, on President's Day, though State, County & Federal Offices were closed, the City of Pittsburgh was open for business.

On Veteran's Day, schools used to be closed, no more, they are open.

Columbus Day, schools are open.

Corporations no longer respect the American Holiday. I worked for one company and if I wanted paid for a Holiday, they would make me use vacation time.

I worked for a Jewish non-profit once (I and my office mate were the only 2 gentiles out of about 80 employees). My first year at Christmas, we had Christmas off (it is a national holiday), but the day before we were scheduled to work until 5 p.m. I was going to take a 1/2 day off, but some employees went to the Director and told him that in the gentile world Christmas Eve was seen as a "pre holiday" and most places if open were only open 1/2 day, and perhaps he should do the same in this agency. He did and that tradition remains. Now he didn't have to do that but he respected the tradition and the holiday.

One last comment, my brother is retired from the Post Office. In November there was a sign on the door that they would be closed on November 11 and November (insert date). A customer came in and asked him why they would they be closed. He told her for "Veterans Day and Thanksgiving." Her response while smirking was "well if you have to be." She was the owner of a company whose employees I'm sure were not getting Veterans Day off.

[billhicks76]

217. Hell Yes!!!

How does Hillary feel about this?

[KitSileya]

219. See pretty much every post JTFrog has posted in this thread.

Clinton made her feelings clear about this 9 years before Sanders did anything. She picked up what Conyers and Stabenow introduced, and then he picked up their old suggestion. Not that any Bernie supporter in this thread has acknowledged that, mind you. JTFrog might as well be talking to people with fingers in their ears and their eyes closed signing tralalalalala as loudly as they can for all that the Sanders supporters want to hear/read.

[billhicks76]

221. Good News

You would think any democrat would support this. It's nothing new I know. I was saying it myself in the late 80s.

[Warren Stupidity]

220. The FUDsters are already out with devastating attacks claiming that there will still be people who

don't vote!