Posts Made By: Rod Kaufman

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

You wrote what Biden Said:   "I do think anyone who insists upon changing the way in which we rule and count votes, that is a threat to democracy.”

So then, Biden just said that his very own Political party, the Democrats themselves are a threat to our Democracy.  

You then are a threat to our Democracy.  

Some others here are a threat to our Democracy.  

Care to address that fact?

Originally Posted by James Brown

Only a couple hundred MAGA Republicans attacked the capital on Jan 6.  Millions of "MAGA" and other Republicans do not consider things like requiring voter ID to be "voter suppression."

Last night was Biden targeting the hundreds who participated in the riot, or the millions who support voter ID laws?   That is my point.  Even though I obviously had better things to do than actually watch the speech, my guess is that Biden is targeting the millions.   

Jim

Originally Posted by James Brown

I went to the second link first.  These are supposed to be the "worst of the worst..."  From Iowa:  "...and block any ballots received after Election Day — even if they were mailed in time."  Gimme a break.  This is voter suppression?  Colorado requires that ballots be received by close of business on election day, and we have the highest turnout in the nation.  Any sane state requires the ballots to be in by close of business on election day.  If you can't get your ballot in on time, then shame on you.  As if this were voter suppression!  I realize that this is just one thing, but until a few cycles ago everyone in the country had to show up at a polling place in person or else not vote.  None of the supposed suppressions detailed on that web page are legitimately called "voter suppression."      

Is any minor inconvenience (mail it on time!!!) literally worthy of being called "voter suppression?"

Originally Posted by James Brown

I'm sure you read my introspective post yesterday, directed at Rich, who is was ghosting me. 

I agree that the worst thing Trump did is further divide the country with his big lie.  You are basically making my earlier point with your first link.  If we accept the polling data and I certainly do, Biden was targeting 70% of the Rs last night.  Shame on him.  He is targeting 50 million people as a "threat to democracy!!!!"  (Approximated as 70% of the Trump vote total in 2020)  

Biden  campaigned as a uniter.  Now, in the face of an unfortunate economic climate he is demonizing 70% of the Rs to try to salvage an election.  There is a big difference between demonizing the Jan 6 rioters and demonizing 70% of the entire party who happen to be persuaded by the big lie.  Do you seriously think that these folks, all 50 million of them are a threat?  I do not.  I know far too many of them personally to feel that way.

Jim

Originally Posted by James Brown

That's an edge case.  If there were a widespread disaster that actually affected a large mail drop, I would expect the state legislature to make an exception.  Covid brought about all sorts of acceptable exceptions (in my view).

Without resorting to a flood or fire, what if in 1975, your car broke down on the way to vote.  Would you get an extension?  Heck no.  Was that "voter suppression"  No way.  Sometimes crummy things happen to individuals.   

Personally, I never trust my ballot to the mail.  I have no problem with signing it, and having my signature verified (I think that signature requirements were also "suppression" according to your web page.)

I would make no exceptions to the "on time" rule, other than for overseas military or the disasters you invoke.  Timely reporting of accurate results is a very important consideration to me.   

Originally Posted by James Brown

No!!, when they quit paying their taxes, riot in the streets, burn the courthouse, or otherwise take affirmative action on their mistaken belief we have a threat to democracy.  Never before some sort of action.  Other than a few hundred fools on Jan 6, how many have taken any overt action?

You don't see it this way, but you have literally staked out a position where a wrong "belief" is now a threat to democracy.  I think you should reconsider.  You also probably need to get out and meet some folks who believe the big lie and see what makes them tick otherwise.   Jim

p.s.  Gotta run, I hate to leave in the middle of this interesting dialog.  Have a great weekend!