Voter Fraud

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. 

Whatever we call the system that is evolving, we should avoid words like ‘democracy’; they are meaningless and foolish in this context.