As an opening gambit in many swindles, the swindler warns
his prey of the danger that lurks all around – particularly directing attention
to others who might be planning a crime.
As the victim’s attention is directed away, his wallet disappears.
This misdirection is often very effective; so effective
that—if the victim doesn't notice who ended up with his wallet—the crime may validate
the warning, strengthening the bond between predator and prey.
The campaign to disenfranchise voters—through restrictions on
early and absentee voting, wholesale purging of voter rolls, strict voter ID laws, and
intimidation gangs at polls in poor and minority precincts—is NOT an attempt to
COMBAT voter fraud. IT IS VOTER FRAUD –
fraud of a magnitude not seen since the days of Jim Crow.
Promoters of these restrictions have spread rumors about widespread voter fraud, but aside from a small minority of easily-confused and frightened
voters, these rumors are not really even intended to be believed. They
just serve as semi-transparent window dressing, so people can feel validated in
cheating others out of their right to vote.
Clearly, those promoting these programs, and pulling the
strings of the gullible, completely understand what they’re doing and why – and
are cynical enough to not need the window dressing for themselves. They have
looked around—both at the country today, and at the demographic trends—and
realize that the plutocracy they represent cannot long survive in a
fully-participatory, empowered democracy. Their only hope is to make sure
participation is suppressed.
There is nothing new about the suppression of democracy in this country. From the days of the Federalist Party, there have
always been those who stand to lose by greater participation. Restrictions against women, blacks, Indians, and even non-property
owners are all part of our history. The difference now is the
trajectory and the transparency. Instead of moving in the direction of more inclusion, we are
back-sliding. In the past this was done openly; now we’re supposed to
pretend there’s a higher motive. Pretty much everybody knows better; but
some of you know you’re not supposed to admit it.
With the Voting Rights Act gutted by the usual suspects on
the Supreme Court, the disenfranchisement may work in tipping a number of close
races this time. Many will celebrate now what we should all be
grieving. We are becoming a nation that condones and institutionalizes cheating in
the most important civil function we perform.
