Charles P. Pierce Says It Loud & Clear: YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT VOTING. NOT ANYMORE.

[kpete]

We get the government we deserve, and we are on track for one that is heedless of concern for women's health, and poised to eliminate unions.


..................

So there really isn't any excuse any more.

Quite simply, if the Republican party gains control of the United States Senate, and if it maintains that majority in 2016, neither Barack Obama, nor Hillary Clinton, if she were to succeed him in office, will be allowed to appoint a Supreme Court justice. It will not happen. There will be nobody whose views and judicial philosophy will be satisfactory to the majority Republicans unless whoever the president is happens to nominate Antonin (Short Time) Scalia's left nut. Yesterday, the bare 5-4 majority of Federalist Society Papists demonstrated that it is heedless of concern for women's health, and poised to eliminate the ability of public employees -- and, later, any employees -- from organizing themselves.

So there really isn’t any excuse any more.

I occasionally get chaffed by folks for giving out civics lessons but, seriously, we get the government we deserve. The Founders, and those brave people who came later, a group that certainly includes the three Mississippi martyrs and thousands more whose names we don’t know, made sacrifices that leave us no alibis. If you live in a state that has restricted the franchise, and that has erected hoops through which you have to jump, then learn how to jump through the hoops and break down those barriers by flooding the polls. If you don’t live in a state where it has been made more difficult to vote, then get off your sorry ass.



The Rest:
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/No_Excuses

[agentS]

1. People should have figured this out by at least August 2008

[Cha]

2. yeah, we've had quite a taste of how bad our country will be with repubs in charge of the Senate

and the House. Thank you, Charlie Pierce. I don't want to hear from any so called "left" ratfuckers that the Dems and the teabagger madhatters are the same.. I don't how bad they need to bait and click.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

3. What about people who listen to Dan Carlin?

His podcasts have heavily influenced a relative to not vote. I can't persuade him otherwise. He surely doesn't care about unions. Though he does have a girlfriend and a libido . . .

Anybody know more about him than the Wikipedia entry? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Carlin

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. I'm pretty sure anyone who reads Pierce votes.

But how to get through to those primarily interested in things like sports, action hero movies, and Kim Kardashian's side boob?

[Marie Marie]

6. Would that be Kanye?

But you are so right - America obsesses over reality stars (?) while the country goes ever downward, along with our rights.

[daschess1987]

5. K & R

[IrishAyes]

7. Don't let this get out... but,

I'm totally in love with Mr. Pierce.

[PatrickforO]

8. As things get worse here, I keep thinking that

Americans will flood the polls, but they do not. Why, I ask?

I'm thinking it is because most Americans don't even think about the elections until the week of, if that. They do not educate themselves on the issues that affect them.

In fact, I will be surprised if the Hobby Lobby decision will get that many women out, because many younger women, my daughters included, do not much care for political discussion. Sadly, they would rather watch reality TV.

The result: the government we deserve.

[abelenkpe]

9. So voting for democrats because they've promised to undo yesterdays rulings?

And Citizen United or just because we are reminded that republicans are destructive anti women anti worker lunatics? Who we don't want to be able to further stack the court. Think if democrats want to get people to vote in large numbers they need a plan to keep up enthusiasm. Outline what they'd do if they were to win back the house, keep the senate and finally have the majority to bypass the obstruction from the right. Like immigration reform, addressing climate change, restoring long term unemployment and social programs that have been cut since 2008, rebuild infrastructure with a job bill that employs US workers. Plans to address inequality and stop offshoring. Doing something to bring down the high cost of college, etc. Democratic voters are upset now but November is far away. Getting voters excited about what they could potentially gain will help keep enthusiasm. Maybe bring more people out to vote.

[Uncle Joe]

10. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[Fred Sanders]

11. Tax rebate after proof of voting? A chicken in every pot? Just the pot? A penalty, like Australia?

Something other than having the best ideas, because the non-voting public does not ever seem to get instead informed argument is. It the same as misinformed opinion, they seem not to get the connection between their lives and voting.

[riqster]

12. G. O. T. F. V.

Rinse and repeat.

[LuvLoogie]

13. This is what my 36-year-old female cousin said on Facebook today

"Can't help but gloat says the snarky conservative...."

Then she linked to a "Chicks on the Right" post.


They relish the chance to stick it to the liberals and people who voted for Obama over their own well being.

Political suicide bombers.