Michigan Republicans passed three bills yesterday to make voting harder. In particular, the legislation makes it harder to run a voter-registration drive.
As has been their custom this year, House Republicans passed the legislation under immediate effect over the objections of the minority Democrats. That means the legislation could become law this year instead of waiting until 2013. Using immediate effect, Republicans could make it harder to vote in the November election. Under the state Constitution, immediate effect requires a two-thirds super-majority -- in the House, that's 73 votes.
Democratic Representative Jeff Irwin forwarded the cellphone video above from one of the votes, on Senate Bill 0754. As you can see from the House website, it passed with 66 votes, well shy of 73.
In the video, Irwin says, you can see Democrats trying three different ways to get recognized for a roll call vote on the motion for immediate effect, which would make Republicans prove they have enough votes. The state Constitution requires a roll call vote, if requested by one-fifth of the members present (22 if everyone's there). In the video, the Democratic floor leader is standing at the podium in a purple jacket with her hand raised, asking to be recognized. Several members of the Democratic caucus are standing with their hands raised. And off to the side, another Democrat -- I think the woman in the rose-colored jacket -- is trying to hand the Republican Speaker a letter from the caucus requesting a roll call vote.
Seconds later, purporting to have counted 73 yes votes in a room that passed the measure with only 66, the Speaker gavels in immediate effect. The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Also today in Michigan, the House is expected to vote on sweeping anti-abortion legislation. We'll keep you posted.
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Here's a little reading for all...Henry Wallace warned us:
http://newdeal.feri.org/wallace/haw23.htm
And just one of many recognizible concepts from that reading:
Sound familiar to anyone? Can you say Ruppert Murdoch, Rush Limbaugh, Karl Rove, Grover Norquist, either of the Koch brothers? The entire Mitt Romney campaign?
Thank you for the link, Scout.
American Fascism is the ideology that dare not speak its name. That is one reason those on the right are so quick to maliciously identify their targets as "fascists".
Thank you, Scout. When Wallace published that my dad was getting ready to take to the skies in the war against Prussian fascism. Now we are faced against it in what may be our last true celebration of American democracy, the election of 2012.
And yet... no one will do a damn thing. Oh they will go on the Rachel Maddow show and whine but they won't *do* anything. Why? Because when you get right down to it liberals do not really understand politics. Politics is war by other means and liberals are not willing to go to war to defend their freedom.
So... I predict that the fascists will win. County by county, state by state they will slowly accrue power and the liberals will never do a goddamn thing.... until it's too late.
You can already kiss Michigan goodbye. They will NEVER allow a free and fair election in that state ever again. This video clearly shows that at least there the game is over and democrats will never take it back because they will keep on expecting the fascists to play fair and they'll keep going on cable shows and whine about all the horrible things the GOP is doing. But never ever will they lift a finger to actually do something.
And next up will be Wisconsin... and one by one the states will fall and liberals will stare in amazement... but they still won't do a thing.
Hate to break the news to you, but all of these "fascists" were elected by the people to represent them. The people can still vote them out of office, as we still live in democracy. You should be mad at the voters who decided to stay home in 2010 while the tea party rallied all of their supporters to go out to the polls and vote. I, for one, am glad that they right wing has lurched this far - it is giving the Democrats a chance to prove that the Republicans say one thing and do another. Now the onus is on those running against these lawmakers to remind their constituents what voting for an R means in today's world.
All this name calling has to stop, as it isn't going to bring anyone to the other viewpoint. We need to leave all the name calling to the Republicans, so that a case can be made for civility being in only one party. By hurling insults, you are only playing into their game and stooping to their level. Getting people involved in the political process is the solution, it just requires a lot of work.
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis
Un-freakin'-believable. How can they completely ignore a Constitutionally mandated point of procedure like that? There ought to be criminal charges and jail time for the guy running that show.
That's not the America I grew up in. If this is the way the GOP think America should be governed, then they must be stopped, at all costs.
Republicans do not want to govern; they want to rule.
Sad...,
And they have no scruples about how they accomplish that goal.
And they call President Obama, supporters of unions, et. al. thugs...
:-(
The Republicans have abandoned the belief in democracy and are the new fascist party. Tar and feathers anyone?
sedwinmars,
Ready, willing and able.
There is a part of me that feels very sorry for the people of Michigan and other states around this nation that have GOP majorities leading their states. There is also another side of me that says you people deserve exactly what you're getting! See there are some of you that have grown apathetic to the political process so you don't vote, period - shame on you! Then there are those that vote only on party lines - except you have either not been paying attention to what's been going on with the GOP in over a decade, or you are so ignorant of what the issues actually are that you believe the 30-second sound bites and FAUX NOISE.
Frankly, because you have these authoritarian, short sighted, brain dead, selfish, over-bearing idiots in office - you are getting legislation that is denying you the very "freedoms & liberty & peace & prosperity" that you think you're getting! Maybe the next time around you people will start asking potential candidates for office real questions and demanding real answers not just sound-bites; and maybe now you will actually start to pay attention to candidates records and start voting for those that really support those "kitchen table" ideas that are desperately needed in this nation to help US all out!
The problem is I don't think many people are aware of what is going on on the floor. I live in Michigan, and when I saw this on TRMS I couldn't believe my eyes.
The bigger problem is: people really just vote along party lines and a whole lot of people just adopt the attitude of "the end justify the means" when it comes to voting for their representative. As Jon Stewart put it nicely: “I used to think your reality shaped your politics; it’s clear now, your politics shapes reality.”
The biggest problem of all is: gerrymandering (redistricting). This practically gives those people on the floor get out of jail free passes as their constituents are for the most part the one cheering for those acts. I always think of this idiotic rule as a way for the representative to choose their constituents, not the other way around. This is a national problem and this is why Congress approval is so low, yet everybody is happy with their very own representative.
"It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness." Karl Marx
WHERE is the DOJ?!? This is absolutely unconstitutional - not to mention unAmerican and fascist! These people are committing treason!
Wait! What?? We have a DOJ? Who knew?
Suing Florida to keep them from cleaning-up their voter rolls....
Now wait just a minute - It may very well be that 66 votes does not equal 73 votes, but that falls into a somewhat grey area....I have talked to experts who say, in fact, that the two vote tallies are, in fact, equal, and therefore valid. In fact, I think you are trying to create a sort of false wedge issue, dividing the 66'ers from the 73'ers, and that is just plain wrong. In actual fact, the factuallity of the facts has less applicability than the perception of the actual number, which can be applied in a manner more suited to its purpose.
And in conclusion, the vote tally is 73.
Just a guess here, but I don't think 66 is the only number that equals 73. I'll bet 67, 65, 61, 68, 54, 71, 13, and a host of other numbers also equal 73 in MI.
But I'm glad you checked in with the experts though. I'd hate to think anyone just made that up.
The transitive power of numbers is key in the field of mathanomics.
@largenose - Well done! ;)
This is the biggest amount of drivel I have ever seen. So with your logic, up can be down, blue can be red, and left can be right? If 66 = 73, where does this madness end? Claiming "I spoke with experts" does not make your claim correct.
I weep for Michigan, my home state.
When this tactic was first exposed, during the "emergency manager" vote, I was shocked.
Then it became known that the Democrats did essentially the same thing when they had the majority. The Dems did not vote for "immediate effect" on practically every single piece of legislation, but that strikes me as more a question of style than principle.
In practice, the delayed-effect rule in our state constitution has been found to be too cumbersome by both parties, so they call a voice vote, pretend they have 2/3, and move on. The only way to stop this is in the Michigan Supreme Court, and unfortunately I don't think they're all that interested.
@MikeinMichigan It does seem that Michigan might want to revisit the delayed-effect rule, since immediate effect has now become the order of the day.
The difference here is that one party is objecting to the old business-as-usual. They're asking for a record roll-call vote and not getting one.
I agree. We don't know to what extent the GOP objected to this tactic when they were in the minority. As I said, I don't believe it was used as often.
What I think may be happening, with efforts like that shown in the video (and the recording of the non-response) is preparation for a Michigan Supreme Court challenge. The minority is gathering evidence of the circumvention of the intent of the state constitution.
At best what I would expect is a cease-and-desist from the Court, forcing them to roll-call the vote. The rule itself cannot be changed except by Constitutional Amendment, and that's not likely any time soon.
At some point, Democrats in the Michigan House are simply going to have to stride up to the podium and physically take the gavel from this guy. Yes, they'll be "out of order," and pandemomium will reign. But the alternative is worse. This simply can't continue, especially if the Michigan Supreme Court is as contemptuous of the state Constitution as the Governor and the Republicans in the Michigan legislature.
There is an argument to be made that only violating the law will bring attention to this crime. There should be other options, whether in the form of checks upon the state legislature or through the actual rules of the house itself, however if crime that is taking place serves to nullify those avenues of reform then the laws passed in this way no longer have an authority behind them and should not be obeyed.
mpguy,
I completely agree that they ought to do it (but they probably won't), even though heads would explode around the country, and not just those on the right. Many good wittle wibewals, suffering from Liberal Guilt, would swoon at the "impropriety" of it all. There comes a time, however, when it is necessary to take a stand.
@mpguy,
Any stunt like that, essentially assaulting the Speaker of the Michigan House, would delay the "immediate effect" vote by, at most, 15 minutes. The Sergeant at Arms would call in the state patrol, and haul off the members who were "out of order." Then they would go ahead with the vote.
Yeah and the Communists burned the Reichtstag
I got to go all Goodwin on you ...sorry but those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it .
A little history lesson... For you boys and girls moms and dads
Adolf Hitler, the new Chancellor of Germany, had no intention of abiding by the rules of democracy. He intended only to use those rules to legally establish himself as dictator as quickly as possible then begin the Nazi revolution.
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/burns.htm
When the rules go so goes the country
Why must everyone stoop to the level of comparing people to Hitler? There was only one Hitler, and there will only ever be one - that is the way it should be. Stop with this name calling, it doesn't help your argument.
Maybe Afganis,Iraqis,Lybian's,Serbs and other countries we've invaded in the name of democracy,should come here to help us rescue our's. Just sayin
I thought the same thing !
We are witnessing the GOP's apartheid-ization of this country. They know their numbers are dwindling - "the others" are outpacing them in the general population. What to do? Put in place laws so that their coming minority will still have the power to control the masses.
Good point. I wasn't giving the republicans the credit for being able to think that far ahead. Then again, why have Mitt Romney be the nominee for president?
The most frightening thing for conservatives is a fully functioning democracy where every vote counts -- even the ones from black, brown and poor people. Republicans are closing down voting booths and threatening folks that have the temerity to want to take part in their constitutional right to cast a ballot out of fear. The right is deathly afraid of the 99 percent of ordinary, poor and middle-class Americans that are fed up with the loopholes and benefits for the wealthy, fed up with a political party devoted to destroying the American Dream so Corporate America can send our jobs to China and make a fat profit. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
Now I just come across a real doozie and a load of crap. On some Hyundai vehicles, they supposedly reversed the positive and negative terminals on the vehicle battery. They say they did this to shorten the electrical wire in the vehicle, but the vehicle battery is now at least double the price. So what is wrong with this picture? Well first of all, a battery is still just a battery with the amount of cold cranking amps you want and 12 volts dc. If a cheaper battery at half the price still fits in the slot, and you turn the battery to align with the cables, then the battery just works the same as the more expensive nonsense one that they made up at a ridiculous inflated price. And to think people fall for this load of crap.
What do you expect from a state that would elect Michelle Bachman! Do you think they care what is legal. They elect freaking lunatics there. who needs a constitution?!!!
Uh...Jane...this blog is about Michigan. Bachmann is a Minnesota congresswoman. Not that Michigan wouldn't elect Bachmann - they just haven't had the chance to.
So they actually elect lunatics on both of those states. Of course, lunatics falls a bit short - they're crazy all the time, not just when the moon is out.
whoops, got my M states confused!
What I do not understand is why this is still surprising anyone.
Part of me wants to just shudder and say "Thank God I don't live in Michigan!!!"
But I am a citizen of the United States of America (resident of New York State). Last time I checked Michigan is one of the States. This means that there are some things that directly affect me, even if I don't live in Michigan. One of the most profound things is elections for Federal Officials - particularly President.
When states like Michigan, Florida and others make their elections less democratic, this makes our entire system of government less democratic.
My hope is that on election night in November, I can watch the returns confident that we have all debated the issues, have been given a clear image about each of the candidates and that everyone who is entitled to vote and chooses to vote has been able to. Then I will accept the outcome.
It sure doesn't look like my hope is a realistic one.
Sorry - The fix is in . The voter rolls and availability , you know is being modified (ahem cough cough) to prevent fraud , which is running rampant with (as Jon Stewart says) tens of people voting fraudulently nationwide.
The republicans in the Michigan legislature do this for the same reason Romney tells bald-faced lies -- because they know they can get away with it. The failure to recall Walker in Minnesota taught them that.
And if you mention this situation to a conservative friend or family member, or to someone in the media, they'll just brush it off as "politics" and say that "both sides do it."
How do you fight that?
I think you meant Walker in Wisconsin.
If you pass a law illegally under your own state constitution does the Justice Department have the right to enforce the Voting Right Law of 1965 and sue to over turn the law?
I haven't seen the details of the legislation, but we'd be talking about the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, not the VRA of 1965. Unless they put in a 48-hour turn-in requirement such as is being challenged in Florida, I don't think the Feds would have an issue with it.
Remember folks, this was just passed in the house, still has to go to the Michigan senate and be signed. So register now before it's too late!
I like how you libs claim that it only hurts Democrats when voting is more regulated. like Only Republicans are smart enough to get a voters registration card. If your to stupid to register to vote, the US would be better off if you just stay home and watch snooky anyways.
So if more white older men were getting booted from the rolls, you wouldn't have a problem with it? BTW nice teabagger statement, laws are passed to keep potential democrat voters and you think only the repubs are smart enough to register, that is teabagger speak 101. Teabagger speak " I hate gov run healthcare, but I love my Medicare"
@chemdmd - from your post above:
Too funny. How about "If you're too stupid..."? It appears you are.
Yes, another great Teabagger speak " If your to stupid to register to vote, the US would be better off if you just stay home" -- Just like Palin speak, it can be used for laughter word for word
(sarcasm alert!)
Hey buddy, you must be one o' them there eleetists!
I thought the ' li'bruls ' were claiming these voter restriction fun-fun tactics hurt everyone. And a real ' lib'rul ' would never be caught dead watching Snooki. Maybe one of those green planet networks or something about organic goat cheese making.
Dear Rachel, there sure are a lot of men in that picture except for Dorothy Hamill, she must be bringing them coffee.
The Dems could very well file a suit in the Michigan courts with affidavits from every Dem who were against the legislation. The court cannot avoid the issue if Dems show various pieces of legislation that they were prepared to vote against. This would allow the court to also strike down every piece of legislation where this immediate effect has been used and delay the implementation of the laws. I suspect that this sort of case may have to be heard in the Michigan Supreme Court. I don't know if there is any jurisdiction for the federal courts other than as the laws affect voting rights in federal elections.
@Mike Paganucci, the Democrats have sued. After the vote, 22 lawmakers filed their objections to the legislation and said they had not voted for immediate effect. It's in the House Journal -- search for "gaveling."
Political shenanigans to keep and gain more power.
I hope the Republicans get decimated in the next election in spite of Citizen's United. They are certainly asking for it.
If Mitt wins , and I fear he could, our economy will be decimated as the middle class loses more to the wealthy. We will most certainly go into a second recession for the double dip as we make severe austerity cuts only to the middle and lower classes as the wealthy get more in the form of tax cuts. We will become essentially a third world country. Mitt and his friends will be doing better than ever. I guess that's all that really matters.
You know I always find it funny that stuff like this happens, but then the GOP throw a tantrum about how "Democrats hate Democracy."
Ah irony, thy name is Republican.
I just put a post on Michigan Gov Rick Snyder's Facebook page telling him people are going to start a petition to boycott travel to Michigan if they pass voter suppression laws. They took down the post within 5 minutes....so I posted again, copied it, took screenshots of it to see if they pull it down again. If people threaten to boycott travel to Michigan and Florida and the other states doing the same stuff, then we might get somewhere. I started a petition to stop the super pacs with boycotts too but it isn't getting any traction.
As of right now, the post is still on his facebook page...here is a link to see how long it stays up.
http://www.facebook.com/RickForMichigan