How the Voting Rights Act Helped Me
Posted by Josh McConaha on August 2, 2005 at 01:11 PM
For the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Carol Juneau, Mandan and Hidatsa Representative HD 16, Montana, provides some insight on what the VRA means to Native Americans. We'll be posting notes like these for the remainder of the week leading up to the anniversary...
"In 1964 only 300 black elected only 300 black elected officials had been elected nationwide; today there are over 9,100 in state and local jurisdictions around the country, including seventy-one members of Congress of African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian decent. We have indeed come a long way, but we have a great distance to travel before this nation achieves the full measure of equality that democracy requires.” Rep. John Lewis (GA-5th)
We must be an active part of the political power system if we are to make the changes we want as Indian people. Thanks to the Voting Rights Act for helping the Indian Voice be heard. But, it has not been without commitment of many people who were not afraid to confront the barriers, challenge the system, and make the changes needed to gain access. Montana’s now leads the United States in the number of Indian people serving in the Montana Legislature with eight (8) and soon to be nine (9) in 2007 and all are Democrats!
Comments - 7 »
Comments - 7 «
Still have to sign in twice.
But, the point I want to make is that this is great information for letters to the editor.
Have you written your letter today?
Posted by monicasmith on August 2, 2005 at 02:18 PM
Since the login function doesn't work on Safari (Mac OSX), I had to use Microsoft IE.
Anyway, I have to say that the majority party of the Federal government is trying to modify the Voting Rights Act by making it "national and permanent." According to Rev. Jesse Jackson, this would throw the VRA into the courts, which will no doubt be packed with neo-cons who would love more than anything to make it unconstitutional.
Just keep an eye on what the current Supreme Court nominee has written in the past concerning the VRA. That is what the future will bear.
Posted by Cindybage on August 2, 2005 at 10:41 PM
If Lyndon Johnson were as passive and meak as todays Democrats, we wouldn't have this or many of the things Democrats believe in. Somehow over time we have given up what it takes to win in favor of respect for the enemy and we call that progress. I think a stroll through our history might clear some of this up. Politics is and has always been dirty. Those who win and get their things passed fight the hardest and are generally the dirtiest. Those who think elections should be civil and and believe that the way you play the game is the most important thing, loose and get none of thier good ideas passed and compain about how dirty the other side is. That has led us to where we are today, outside looking in. I don't like that and cannot except that. Why do our party leaders continue to play the loosing game? That's the fifty dollar question.
Posted by Tug on August 9, 2005 at 01:44 PM
If Lyndon Johnson were as passive and meak as todays Democrats, we wouldn't have this or many of the things Democrats believe in. Somehow over time we have given up what it takes to win in favor of respect for the enemy and we call that progress. I think a stroll through our history might clear some of this up. Politics is and has always been dirty. Those who win and get their things passed fight the hardest and are generally the dirtiest. Those who think elections should be civil and and believe that the way you play the game is the most important thing, loose and get none of thier good ideas passed and compain about how dirty the other side is. That has led us to where we are today, outside looking in. I don't like that and cannot except that. Why do our party leaders continue to play the loosing game? That's the fifty dollar question.
Posted by Tug on August 9, 2005 at 01:45 PM
If Lyndon Johnson were as passive and meak as todays Democrats, we wouldn't have this or many of the things Democrats believe in. Somehow over time we have given up what it takes to win in favor of respect for the enemy and we call that progress. I think a stroll through our history might clear some of this up. Politics is and has always been dirty. Those who win and get their things passed fight the hardest and are generally the dirtiest. Those who think elections should be civil and and believe that the way you play the game is the most important thing, loose and get none of thier good ideas passed and compain about how dirty the other side is. That has led us to where we are today, outside looking in. I don't like that and cannot except that. Why do our party leaders continue to play the loosing game? That's the fifty dollar question.
Posted by Tug on August 9, 2005 at 01:46 PM
If Lyndon Johnson were as passive and meak as todays Democrats, we wouldn't have this or many of the things Democrats believe in. Somehow over time we have given up what it takes to win in favor of respect for the enemy and we call that progress. I think a stroll through our history might clear some of this up. Politics is and has always been dirty. Those who win and get their things passed fight the hardest and are generally the dirtiest. Those who think elections should be civil and and believe that the way you play the game is the most important thing, loose and get none of thier good ideas passed and compain about how dirty the other side is. That has led us to where we are today, outside looking in. I don't like that and cannot except that. Why do our party leaders continue to play the loosing game? That's the fifty dollar question.
Posted by Tug on August 9, 2005 at 01:46 PM
Sorry about the multiple posts but every time I tried to send it, I got a error and nothing appeared to go through. Maybe someone can check this.
Posted by Tug on August 9, 2005 at 02:37 PM
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