Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

Mike Honda: How the Voting Rights Act Helped Me

Posted by Josh McConaha on August 3, 2005 at 04:25 PM

Today's guest post commemerating the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act comes from Rep. Mike Honda.

VRA 40th"In 1964 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 descent. 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)

The cornerstone of our democracy is based on the right to vote. So many of us, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, have in the past been denied this fundamental right to vote. As we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, let us join together in solidarity and renew this Act. As Americans, we all have the right to vote; the Voting Rights Act is critical to ensuring that we are able to exercise that right.

--Rep. Mike Honda

Comments (7) «

Are we talking about WWII and the internment camps or more recent events? I'd like to know more about how voting rights have been denied other groups like the Asian Americans and the Pacific Islanders. Could we have a link, please. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Rep. Honda.

1
SandyH on August 3, 2005 at 11:52 PM

With all do respect, Rep. Honda, please let me cite that as Americans, the 15-17 age group in America that is working does NOT have the right to vote. There are some of us, like myself- taxpayers, that would like to know- who is representing us in the decision-making in government? We could be sent into war by a President we did not have the opportunity to vote up or down on! Our income taxes can continue to go up, and our voices are not heard! Our sales taxes are increased under a Governor we did not chose! We are workers, and we don't have a say in labor laws. Our schools have to shut their doors because lawmakers undercut the education budget- people who we did not vote into office. No Child Left Behind Act's. CAFTA, which outsources our jobs. It is definitely time for a change in this country- a new movement. I am getting fed-up. We are taxpayers, but we can't vote. And I reiterate from a previous post-if Mr. Patrick Henry thought that taxation without representation in the 1700s was an atrocity, he should take a look at the injustice occurring right now!

2
JeremyV on August 4, 2005 at 03:50 AM

I am wandering why our high energy prices and the no new Energy Bill isn't mentioned on this web site anywhere. Is this not a real problem for the people of America? Is this not a real issue to used in upcoming elections? Many things are mentioned in our agenda section that are far less important than high fuel prices that can undermine our economy and Republicans who won't do anything to help Americans.Is it because some of our Democratic party leaders are in the oil market making a pile of money off working Americans? I certainly hope not because if they are, there is no difference between them and what is running this country right now. Maybe someone in leadership could explain why this isn't being mentioned at the present time.

3
Tug on August 9, 2005 at 04:46 PM

I think it is very good that Dr. Dean is working to get minorities to vote. The Voting Rights Act 40 years ago has ensured that nowadays virtually everybody registers. But going to the polls is something else. Actually this is more of a youth problem, I think, than simply a minority problem.

4
rabbit on August 10, 2005 at 05:29 PM

I think it is very good that Dr. Dean is working to get minorities to vote. The Voting Rights Act 40 years ago has ensured that nowadays virtually everybody registers. But going to the polls is something else. Actually this is more of a youth problem, I think, than simply a minority problem.

5
rabbit on August 10, 2005 at 05:29 PM

I think it is very good that Dr. Dean is working to get minorities to vote. The Voting Rights Act 40 years ago has ensured that nowadays virtually everybody registers. But going to the polls is something else. Actually this is more of a youth problem, I think, than simply a minority problem.

6
rabbit on August 10, 2005 at 05:30 PM

I think it is very good that Dr. Dean is working to get minorities to vote. The Voting Rights Act 40 years ago has ensured that nowadays virtually everybody registers. But going to the polls is something else. Actually this is more of a youth problem, I think, than simply a minority problem.

7
rabbit on August 10, 2005 at 05:32 PM


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