I live in Canada . You know who my neighbor is. We have a saying that we are like a mouse sleeping beside an elephant. If the elephant rolls the wrong way it's game over for the mouse.
The U.S. has been a good neighbor since the war of 1812. President Trump has given us cause to worry about our relationship.
But this isn't where this post was supposed to go. I have always been interested in the American people and their government. I have tried to understand how their system of government works.
One thing has always puzzled me. Why is the African American vote so low? What exactly does voter suppression mean? Do the African Americans have nothing to gain by voting.? Would they not have some power if they voted as a block?
Today I found out.
I have heard all these terms used before but their meaning escaped me until I listened to an interview today.
There are many laws that have been passed which very efficiently prevent African Americans from registering to vote. I've heard the term poll tax but had no idea what it meant or what it did. Pay to vote? That was news to me. Of course, many people don't have the money to pay a poll tax and why should you have to pay money to vote ? So many African Americans did not vote. Now here's a kicker. If you didn't pay your poll tax it accumulated. So later on you ended up with a large tax bill because you didn't vote. Nuts!
Various eligibility laws were passed. African Americans were neatly cut off at the pass because they had the poor schools and school systems so could not pass the eligibility test.
Another trick was to demand identification like a drivers licence. Many African Americans didn't have driver's licences. Well, get one you say. Problem? They had to drive 50 miles to a licensing bureau.
So over the years there has always been roadblocks set up to limit African Americans from registering to vote.
So today I came to understand why African Americans don't register to vote and then go out and vote.
All these impediments to African American ability to vote are new to me. This certainly explains a lot and should not be allowed.
ReplyDeleteWe should remember though that we are not innocent and do things to suppress voter turnout.
DeleteIt is complicated. I hesitate to say certain things about family structures and family values. I do not believe poll taxes exist. I get a drivers license at a new county and all my info is transferred that I am a resident and vote there. I immediately can go to new polls and vote because the government do know who I am through a social security number. Illegal immigrants manage to vote illegally in our country so any effort at all would allow them to vote. The latinos have learned to vote and they sure have their own in office now. I think when anyone realizes that it makes a difference that they can vote that they probably should.
ReplyDeleteOf course, poll taxes do not exist now but they were common before WW II. Some things that you or I would find easy are not easy for others.
DeleteI'm sure you will hear from an American that is much better able to explain our voting system than I am but I can tell you (as an American) that there is no such thing as a poll tax. I have never heard that story before. I am 66 and have been voting since I was 18 and I have never paid anything to vote. It is free and easy to register and to vote. In fact when there are major elections there are nearly always organizations and individuals offering to drive people to the polls if they do not have transportation.
ReplyDeleteThere is voter apathy among some people for a variety of reasons I imagine. It is not hard to feel like your vote won't make a difference but of course that is not true. I admit I have a problem with the Electoral College in the presidential elections but I can not even try to explain that one.
As far as identification goes, if you don't drive you can get a state ID card which is a picture ID and can be used when voting and for any thing else where you need proof of identity.
I should also add that many of us Americans are quite worried about Trump as well! But everyone I know, myself included, loves our Canadian neighbors.
Poll taxes were used in some places until WW II. They have not been used since. Voter apathy is alive and well. Yes, the electoral college is illogical. Voter suppression is also alive and well in Canada. As far as neighbors go , we're more than neighbors. We are family. Many homesteaders who came here were American. My daughter is an American. There are people from both sides of my family who are American.
DeleteNow they are "purging" the voter registration. I have heard about voters finding they were no longer registered! We are a very racist country. I am guessing it might be as high as 30%! They also close down the places where rural folks can vote and they have to drive almost 100 miles to get to the voting booth! Please be assured that the majority of Americans are fair and reasonable and daily in shock with this horrible administration.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have lots of contact with Americans including my daughter and son- in- law. Also voter suppression is alive and well in Canada.
DeleteThat was the law in the past, but today there are more insidious ways that people are kept from voting. I just wish everybody would realize how important your vote is, and that there are people like the ACLU working hard to help everyone have a chance to cast a ballot.
ReplyDeleteYou're preaching to the converted!
DeleteHello, I am not so sure about the pay to vote. But, I am sure the elite that are in control have to suppress the vote to stay in power. Rumors are the conservatives want a "white America". Very scary times ahead, if this is true. I am hoping and praying we have more of a diverse population out there voting on Nov 6th. I do not like this administration and the congress, they are doing the opposite of what I believe is good for our country. I hope we can take back our country! Wishing you a good day.
ReplyDeletePoll taxes ended before WW II. Trump is an unpredictable scary guy.
DeleteA very interesting post Red. I going to show it to hubs and we will be discussing it later. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI hope I didn't start an argument
DeleteI've a post prepared on Gerrymandering: the drawing and redrawing of city/rural constituency boundaries. That's another issue. I was going to post it closer to the US November elections.
ReplyDeleteOkay , I'll be watching for it.
DeleteGerrymandering is another trick being used- warping voting districts in such a way that urban areas, where black populations might be in numbers, are given the short end of the stick while rural areas are over-represented.
ReplyDeleteYes, gerrymandering can be a work of art.
DeleteThis is a subject that has no ending. Yes, years and years ago, there was a poll tax. Ever since that time and the abolishment of that tax, certain people in power in certain states continue to try in any way that they can to disenfranchise those of color, poor people and so on. The biggest way they do this is, of course, gerrymandering. There are states and districts that have also closed polling places so that people with less resources have little chance of traveling to the few places available to them. Some colleges have said their students may not send in ballots to their home districts anymore meaning that they would have to go home in order to vote. Many, many districts are now saying that you must have two federal documents in order to prove you are you. This is difficult for inner city persons who may not have a drivers license or passport or other identification. This despite numerous studies and surveys that prove that illegal voting is, at the most, a fraction of one percent. Nevertheless, as long as there are racists and the elite in power and holding office at local levels, they will find new ways to make it difficult for ALL Americans to cast a vote.
ReplyDeleteWEll said. I should also point out that Canada is no saint when it comes to voter suppression.
DeleteThere are so many rules/requirements the politians put in place that makes voting extremely hard for the African Americans. It's sad because everyone has the right to vote.
ReplyDeleteRacism has a lot to do with this situation.
DeleteI don't understand the United States voting system but that makes sense since I'm a Canadian :) I have heard the term 'gerrymandering' but know little about that, too. But I do hope my southern neighbours get out and vote!
ReplyDeleteGerrymandering is an interesting activity. Politicians know where voted are voted. Then make up constituencies with lots of your friends.
DeleteMichelle Obama is supporting an initiative to get people out to vote for the election coming in November. Many African Americans in our town don't drive and can't get to the polling place they are assigned to. Others just don't realize the importance of voting or believe that their vote matters. I have signed up to help all people register to vote and find rides to the polls on Election Day through Mrs. Obama's voting campaign. If you are interested you can google those words for more information.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Cynthia. Some people need some help . Some of these people do not have family who have ever voted.
DeleteEven though the poll tax is no longer legal, the effects probably reach forward to the present time in history. If a child grows up seeing parents not vote -- for any reason -- he or she is less likely to vote also, even if circumstances change. I hope the voter turnout in these mid-terms is at an unprecedented high level so that all may have their say. Canadians could really stand to have much better turnout as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, and Canadians also have their ways of voter suppression.
DeleteYes, many roadblocks have been implemented to keep people from voting. There has been a lot of gerrymandering which creates districts based on party affiliations. We are not the country we thought we were. But hopefully things will change.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to be patient and wait for change.
DeleteWhile there are no longer poll taxes or education eligibility tests, the voting process is determined by each state, and many states still do what they can to suppress any votes they think might go to Democrats. We have new organizations created after the last election devoted to fighting voter suppression. I donate to some of them. In Washington State we have all voting by mail, and all registered voters receive ballots in the mail. As of this year returning the ballots is postage free. Now we just need to get people to follow through and vote. We also need this system to be adopted across the country. Washington is a very progressive state, but even we have our pockets of racism. Voter suppression isn't just about racism however, but about retention of power, especially in state governments.
ReplyDeleteWell said Linda. You are always well informed. Now don't forget that Canada also has it's voter suppression.
DeleteThere is really no end to the number of ways voting is rigged to get a specific result!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of any of this, Red, so thank youfor educating me
When we traveled through Canada we discovered that Canadians often knew far more about our politics than many, many Americans. It was terribly embarrassing. I remember staying at one bed and breakfast. The husband was about to leave, but once he heard that we didn't vote for George Bush stayed for an hour longer just to talk to us about what was going wrong with our country. I was absolutely amazed at how much he knew. Sigh... now Trump has made George Bush look great.
ReplyDeleteWell that was a good bit of history! Some people just do not care to vote. I know of many who say it is just not worth the time and effort...sad...too bad someone doesn't encourage them. :(
ReplyDelete