voter registration

Six Simple Ideas to Strengthen Democracy in America

Ms. Liberty Bears Six Good Ideas

Fair and reliable elections, an informed citizenry, wide participation in governance -- these are cornerstones of democracy. But the recent election in the U.S.A. has pointed out serious cracks in those stones. Gerrymandered districts weakened voters of one party, and made races non-competitive. Recently-erected hurdles stopped many from voting. Big media focused on the horse race, and ignored policy issues. Persons trafficked in misleading and fake news on social media. And, in the end, demagogy and crackpottery carried the day. What follows are six simple ideas that can, I think, be easily implemented, and that might well go a long way toward fixing those cracks and strengthening our democracy.

Take a Look at This: Rick Scott Refuses to Extend Voter Registration Deadline for Florida due to Hurricane Matthew

I don't need to tell you that Hurricane Matthew is a monster storm. It cut a path of terrible destruction through the Caribbean, particularly Haiti. The death toll there is surging into the hundreds. Then it pummeled Florida, where President Obama declared a state of emergency on Thursday. Governor Rick Scott has refused to extend the voter registration deadline of October 11th, a ploy to ensure that many potential voters never make it to the polls.

First Essay here: Leaving the Dem Party

CNN is on behind me but muted. I don't need their dialogue. We're as smart and possibly more intuitive than they are. My dad always said, "It's 10% of the people dragging the other 90% along." In this case, we're about 45% Dem voters for Bernie. I'm a lifelong Dem. My first vote was for George McGovern. My last will have been in the AZ Primary, for Bernie Sanders.