Why American's Fail To Vote And Why It's Bad For America

According to several recent surveys, only about 40% of Americans vote. Why do only 40% of us vote? As an ardent follower of politics, it's not hard to understand why. Many Americans feel the system is rigged. People tend to think it doesn't matter. Millions of Americans believe the media makes the choices for us. If not, the media, Wall Street. People have shown not to participant in the political system cause they feel there is no stake in it for them.  Somewhere out there on the horizon there will be a politician who gives Americans a reason to vote again. Barack Obama proved that in 2008. He gave us a reason to get out to vote issues like healthcare[ACA], by voting people can get affordable day care for their children and low-cost college education. People will respond to an honest politician advocating for better pay and work conditions. People want a clean environment for their kids to grow up in. American's have shown to respond to an earnest attempt by a politician to lower our energy cost.  The vast majority of Americans are concerned with " Climate Change, " and want something done about it. Most American don't want war and a candidate advocating peace is often well received by the American people. When a political candidate puts these issues in practical terms, they can motivate people to " Get Out To Vote." 

But, at this point our political process mirrors a T.V. talent show like " American Idol." 

How often do we hear people of today say they just don't care?  How many times in your life has someone told you that real positive change is not possible. We hear pundits claim that the American people are too selfish, stupid, and lazy to try and make a difference in their communities.  Barack Obama's presidential campaign  in 2008 did something this country has not seen forever, got young people excited about the political process. For a moment, it seemed that we had shed the skin of apathy that has defined young voters in America since the 1970's. Young people in America got fired up about the 2008 election. On Super Tuesday, back in 2008 some three million young voters stormed the polling precincts to cast their vote. They[Young Voters] turned out in record numbers in 20 states. 

Our independent study here in the House of Public Discourse found that many young people are tired of being characterized as apathetic and uninterested in politics. In 2008, we saw young people casting ballots like never before volunteering for campaigns, organizing in their schools, and proved to be a major voting block mainly responsible for getting Barack Obama elected.[See Source]  The problem is keeping these young people's interest up and based on the 2010, 2012, and 2014 elections we fear here in the House of Public Discourse that interest has been once again lost. Reigniting this enormous voting block will be a key for any candidate running in the 2016 election cycle. In fact, our research is showing that voter apathy has returned to this important voting block at a staggering rate.

U.S. Voter Turnout Among Lowest in Developed Countries

No matter who's bankrolling America's political campaigns the United States is viewed by the rest of the world as the hallmark of democracy. But, the fact is that most American's refuse to take advantage of their political rights. The United States has the second lowest voter turnout rate of all the so-called developed nations. In our latest election back in 2014 only 37% of registered voters took part in the process. It is not uncommon to ask a walker by on the street who the Vice-President is and get an " I,m drawing a blank," response. You can ask an everyday citizen what a Super Pac is and you will get a " Super What." response. 

Our research has found that people will respond when they think they have choices between candidates. Not, candidates like Hillary Clinton in the present that many tow the line Democrats just want to hand the nomination to on a silver platter. The American voters want choices they want to here policy positions and what one person is running for office has to offer versus another person running for office. This  choice heightens voters feelings that their vote does make a difference. Political choices that are shoved down the throats of the citizens creates Voter Apathy. It says we know what's best for you so just go "hold you nose," and vote for who we tell you too. This reality causes voters to ask why should I spend my time, effort, and energy voting when my choice is of no consequence. 

Why American's Fail To Vote And Why It's Bad For America 

Now that the 2016 presidential election is upon us this in our view is a major question that must be answered if we are going to see a shift from the 1% fat-cats dictating to us their mere minions of society. Overcoming this cancer in our political system should be priority number one. In the last election, 63% of Americans did not vote. 80% of young people did not vote. 75% of low-income workers did not vote.  Our conclusion from our research suggests the reason for these ugly numbers has been the alienation of the American people from the political process. Moreover, their demoralization. The everyday American has been hurting in this country ever since the onslaught of Republican trickle-down economics that trickled down nothing to the American people but debt, low wages, unregulated workplaces, and has all but destroyed our middle-class and the environment as well. We see this lead to poverty and the criminalization of poverty. These economic policies have created the loss of millions of good-paying jobs. Americans look to Washington and say what are you doing? Who are you representing? People are asking themselves how is the American government relative to my life. The average American can't afford to send their children to college. More and More single moms are forced onto Welfare cause they can't afford childcare to look after their kids while they work. The average American has to work more than one job to make a living. What is the American government doing about it? 

 What we see in Washington are the Koch Brothers and other billionaires putting millions and millions of influence peddling dollars into our political system and what does Congress do---ask them what they want---don't want us to raise the minimum wage okay,  you want us to deny that climate change is real good, you want us to allow another unfettered " free-trade deal," that have been disastrous for the American worker, no problem. We love shipping our jobs overseas.

This political atmosphere has without questions caused the American Voter Apathy we see today. Most American's display a sentiment of why do I want to take even a small part in this fiasco. These conditions as mentioned above and others are the reason for low voter turnout in America. What we here in the House of Public Discourse have come to understand is there is no easy antidote to this voter apathy problem. But, this issue is a core focus of our advocacy. We see with all clarity that it's going to take a grassroots effort of education and organizing to combat this real scourge on our governance. We need to encourage active candidates who share this populist view that will represent We The People instead of We The Corporation. This effort must start at the local levels, at the state levels, and finally the national levels. We need to bring people together to a progressive agenda that reminds voters what Abraham Lincoln taught us that the government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people.  This sound so pleasant and this writer is ready to lead the charge, but we must know this is not easy stuff. In fact, this is tough stuff. Getting low-income voters, working poor citizens, involved in the process is a huge undertaking. 

No matter the struggle we must take back our country from the Vulture Capitalist, who have put a " For Sale" sign on our American democracy. 

We are the World; We Are The People, Let's Take Back Our Country!

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymanding?

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering? 

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering?  In continuance to seeking an answer to the question, Where Do Democrats Go from Here, we find ourselves faced with another one, Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering?  Like influence peddling, the practice of redistricting called today gerrymandering has a long history. 

Late in 1788, just after Virginia voted to ratify the Constitution and join the union, former Governor Patrick Henry persuaded the state legislature to remake the 5th Congressional District, forcing Henry’s political enemy James Madison to run against the formidable James Monroe. The ploy failed, and Madison won, eventually becoming the nation’s fourth president. Monroe’s career wasn’t over, though: He succeeded Madison as president.[Library of Congress] 

Where Did the Phrase Gerrymandering Originate? 

The origin of the word “gerrymander” was a combination of “salamander” and the last name of Elbridge Gerry, who as governor of Massachusetts in 1812 signed into law a redistricting plan designed to benefit his political party. The term was put into print for the first time by the Federalist-leaningBoston Gazette on March 26, 1812. Printed alongside this cartoon, it described a newly formed district in Essex County, said to resemble the shape of a salamander. The portmanteau stuck. [Library of Congress] 

Shortly after the Voting Rights of 1965 passed, in Congress,  some states created black and white voting districts. This creation of congressional districts  was mostly achieved by evaluating Census data.  This type of redistricting got the name " affirmative gerrymandering." Its intent was to curtail discrimination and promote minority politicians. This brief overview of the origins of gerrymandering is valuable. Why? Because the redrawing of voting districts lines based on race or ideological criteria was not the intent of our founders or does, it represent a balance for Democracy as a whole. What is concerning to many is its use in these modern political times. Our research has found a shifting precedent regarding the redrawing of voting district lines.

The whole business of political redistricting [gerrymandering] can get ugly. Moreover, often at the taxpayers expense. 

"The opportunity to control the drawing of electoral boundaries through the legislative process of apportionment is a critical and traditional part of politics in the United States, and one that plays no small role in fostering active participation in the political parties at every level." Davis v. Bandemer, 478 U.S. 109, 145 (1986)(O’Connor, J., concurring in the judgment)

In short, the state of North Carolina was found in violation of the Constitution in its 12th Congressional District by drawing the lines using race as the predominant factor in 1993 However, the court shifted in the 1999 case Hunt v. Cromartie (99-1864),

Gerrymandering Created An Uphill Battle For Democrats in 2014!

This all centers around the 2010 Census. The Republicans through political design and lack of democratic voter participation were able to be successful in gaining control of state legislatures especially in the Red States. Their apparent first order of the day were to gerrymander their prospective districts. Create the now coined phrase " political safe-zones." 

Why this is, a problem for Democrats is as clear as a bell. These districts have been drawn with a partisan mindset which introduces us to another type of redistricting call partisan-gerrymandering. In states like Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina we have witnessed Democratic voters being packed into the fewest voting districts possible.[See Article] This activity is gerrymandering in its purest form. We have a situation where Republicans voters have been systematically placed to provide a win-win no matter the issues or the qualifications of the participants.  Granted geography had a role to play in some cases, but, by and large these areas were designed with partisanship in mind. 

Let's Be Clear Here! 

The practice of gerrymandering is not sovereign to the Republican Party. Democrats have been willing partakers of gerrymandering as well. With the way, the House and Senate have shaped up and with the next census not due to be taken soon Democrats have a significant issue to solve. Gerrymandering is one of those issues that many Americans feel there isn't much difference between the parties, in terms of how they use it.  

Regarding our focus at House of Public Discourse we hold the position that next to unbridled influence peddling made legal by Citizen United. The haphazard, and wholly undemocratic practice of redistricting based on race, and other social factors hampers our nations democracy. This dangerous ingredient in our political system has helped this country slip into something less that a Republic. In fact, gerrymandering is a total undermining of Democracy. 

Many in America, this writer being one feels that gerrymandering should be banned period. There is a better way. No question there has been criminal behavior associated with the practice of gerrymandering. Many have given up hope on changing a system that the very people we would ask to do so benefit. From a Progressive Liberal point of view, we contend we can overcome this disadvantage by doing what Liberals do, thinking outside the box. We need to fight in the courts, in the state capitals, and on the front steps of City Hall, and anywhere the fight takes us to overcome these corrosive elements in our governance. I want us[ liberals] to answer the question, Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering, a no, but, hell no answer.

However, Did Liberty Give Way To Gerrymandering In The 2014 Mid-Term Elections?

Fresh off, Republicans winning their largest House majority since the Hoover Administration, Where do the Democrats go from here? Democrats lost of their second straight mid-term election has many in the party pointing fingers. There are the normal scapegoats, weak candidates, bad money allocation choices, dismal narrative to inspire the Democratic base.

The GOP benefited from the most egregious gerrymandering in American history.

Backed by the likes of ALEC state lawmakers were on the take from big lobbyist, advocating state-wide redistricting or gerrymandering. Redrawing congressional lines was the paramount focus of this enterprise. Due to the poor Democratic participation in 2010 and the emergence of the Tea Party, right-wing radical state Governors and Legislators carved out huge chunks of political real-estate based on partisan gerrymandering. This tactic paid huge dividends for the Republicans in  Ohio, Pennsylvania Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Tennessee and beyond.[The Nation]