November 4, 2008
Maddow on New Poll Tax
Posted in activism, oppression, politics, social justice at 2:22 am by LB
Well, it’s been a while since my last post. I must say, I have been absolutely swamped with teaching (being the first time, and all), not to mention misc. things that have come up in the last month. I’ve had much to say, and not enough time to say it. Teaching, especially, has given me many blogging ideas from the kinds of questions and concerns my students have. I hope to rectify this soon…so readers, don’t go away!
I have also become somewhat of an election junkie, so I have been absorbed in the news. So many apologies, and I hope to be back to blogging regularly soon. So don’t forget to vote tomorrow!
——————-
Today my student asked me if I thought that a professor would let her leave class early to vote since she has class all morning and has to work immediately after. I told her what I thought, and I really felt for this student, who at 18 had the desire to vote, yet to do so meant hurting her at work or school. I teach at a community college, known for having significant percentages of students who work and attend school full time, and many are mature students returning to school for a better job. These student lead very complex, full lives and schedules.
I had that conversation in my head as I watched Rachel Maddow’s Live Sunday special (thank you, DVR!). I was incredibly moved by Maddow’s scathing characterization of the long, long early voting lines as a poll tax. I was moved because of the way that Maddow pleas with the audience–as voters, employers, public officials–to persevere to vote in this historic and all-important election, and then demand that we, as a nation, fulfill our democratic values and eliminate what is effectively a poll tax. I couldn’t agree with her more.
Watch her assessment here
Click here to subscribe in a reader
Mike Harmon said,
November 4, 2008 at 2:30 am
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
lindabeth said,
November 4, 2008 at 3:16 am
Thanks Mike, and welcome!
frau sally benz said,
November 5, 2008 at 1:30 am
I wanted to post about this (been too busy, arg), but it’s really something to consider. I talked about it at work today, and pretty much everyone agreed that this is an unfair burden on a good portion of the population.
It’s kinda crazy what the government gets away with. You hear about election fraud & such (not to be confused with voter fraud, but rather a systematic widespread fraud), it’s amazing how they get away with so much crap. Voting should be our number one right as Americans, since it was what this country was based on… and yet… damn.
Donna said,
November 7, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Fascinating viewpoint; thanks for posting!
Yet another reason why the government has a responsibility to find an easier and better way to vote. In this technological day and age there has to be a better method than driving somewhere, parking and waiting in line.
ballgame said,
November 8, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I haven’t seen very much of Rachel Maddow, but she’s impressed me every time that I have. That was a good editorial.
Good to see you jump back into blogging, LB!
lindabeth said,
November 9, 2008 at 12:34 am
After seeing her show once, I scheduled it on the DVR so I never miss it. She’s wonderful and witty! Plus, it’s great to see a woman on TV who isn’t just a man’s accessory/sidekick and doesn’t look like a Barbie doll :-)
And thanks, ballgame- it’s good to be back!