A brief disclaimer: When I talk about Republicans in this piece, I am talking about politicians – to be clear, I’m not talking about individuals who tie themselves to the party, unless they support gerrymandering, racism and white supremacy. So if you’re a Republican and an un-biased, good human, please don’t feel I’m talking about you.
~~~
One of the problems with the media is the sensationalized handling of information. Another is the constant “if the facts prove out” approach to things where the facts are already there.
Sensationalism sells. But it’s overamplification ends up obliterating important aspects of the information or even other stories. And the treatment of issues like racism as “yet to be proven” is troubling.
We consider, by law, individuals as innocent until proven guilty, which is fair. There are lawyers and an absolute chance to tell the story in front of as reasonably an impartial audience as can be found.
I think that should be the case in media handling of news. But when an issue like a Republican State Assembly closing 50% of the voting centers in minority communities only, just before a vote and the news says it “might be done to suppress minority voting” when there are no ifs about it. Objectivity is valuable when there is a real question.
Certainly, some will start down the road of “it’s a matter of opinion” and therefore, is still subject to a brand-new inquiry into proof. But that is a fallacy – the issue is not brand new, in fact these practices trend back to the post-Civil War south.
Additionally, Republican politicians and operatives have already confirmed suppression, gerrymandering and intimidation as techniques they use routinely. This isn’t a question. It’s fact. So why do we – and the media, treat something that is in plain sight as yet to be proven, let alone let the GOP go on about voter fraud as if it is something that really exists – sensationalized to the point where a large number of people are convinced that it – not the oppression of minorities, is a problem. That the election was thrown by illegitimate votes, when the facts reveal that suppression, through a number of means, not fraud, is our biggest voting issue.
The problem is complex. The mainstream media, in an effort to remain objective, treat these facts as tentative, when they’re not. The biased media factories for the right generate propaganda to spin the opposite (there’s so much voter fraud, the election isn’t valid” without any proof and the voice of reason is canceled because it’s speaking at a normal volume.
Closing voting centers, limiting registration (making college or church assisted registration illegal, for instance), requiring lengthy and costly processes for burden of proof of identity (if your state requires everyone to have an official ID then your state should be funding a push to get that done for every resident) – any attempt to limit someone’s legitimate right to vote is in all ways anti-democracy. Voting should not be a middle class and up privilege. It should not be a white privilege. By making it expensive either in time spent away from work or in fees or in transportation, we turn it into a privileged activity.
Making registration easier doesn’t improve the chance of fraud. It just improves the number of ways a person can prove they are who they say they are. And, if you think identify theft, which is monetarily motivated, not politically is a big problem in your state, you should be looking for ways to help people prove their identity, not make it more daunting a process. If a teenager can get a credit card, the elderly, the poor should be able to get state identification without having to take off of work, without having to stand in line for hours, without having to go to a central office, without having to pay a large fee – and without it taking weeks or months.
There are also issues with campaign funding – Citizens United essentially allowed unlimited campaign financing and limited accountability. We need legislation that reduces third party money in the game and allows voters voices to once again be amplified at least on par and hopefully above those of business and special interests.
Right now, lies can be sensationalized and pushed above the truth, through media – and those purveyors – from television to Social Media have largely claimed that they must remain objective and allow and equal voice for “opinions” – because those opinions are paying customers. But there needs to be accountability – where does the money come from and what is the agenda behind it - and there needs to be a limit on what can be spent to push a lie.
Which is why HR1, the “For the people act” is so important. It is setting at least some of this to right. Every Republican politician in the house of representatives voted against it. Because even though it is the right thing to do for our representative democracy, it reduces their ability to win. And here’s my advice to them:
If you cannot win on your platform – on the basis of what you plan to do, then maybe you should change that plan. If you win using gerrymandering and counting on voters not showing to the polls, you are not representing the will of the people. You are in fact trying to subvert it.
If you cannot successfully and convincingly argue your point, then either you are not a good proponent, or your point is invalid or non-inclusive.
Those are rules both parties, in a level field have to play to. Forget party. If you have good, honest ideas that the people subscribe to, and you can effectively represent your voters, then you should be elected. It shouldn’t be up to the $$ spent or the twisting of facts or the moving of lines to the improving of party outcomes.
So – tell your Senators that HR1 needs to be passed. It does not ignore the minority – not if their ideas are valid. It helps us ignore those that would sell our democracy for money and power.
*Aside from the link to HR1 the following are informational and a sample of articles – there is exhaustive evidence of voter suppression and racism in the process.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/us/politics/house-voting-rights-bill.html
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/for-the-people-act-voter-suppression-bills
