[AtLast]

I understand some of what is being said about voting in the US and believe me I have felt like my own vote has not "counted" many times in terms of presidential elections. On the other hand, there was a very different story with the election of Barrack Obama and grass roots organizing as well as the role of young voters- there really was. Maybe if one is under 55 or so, they really don't get this. Those of us that were alive during the 50's & 60's, even not living in the deep South and not also being POC, know that his election was predicated on a vast movement of "just people" with votes that did "count." I never thought that an African American would actually become president in my lifetime. I'm not certain that a woman will be elected to the presidency during it, either. And yes, I hate the monetizing of our politics and know that the only way what goes on can be changed by getting private money out of elections. Actually, I see the Occupy movement as a means to reach this goal eventually.

I also have seen how on more local levels, my vote is much more part of change and sometimes, I honestly feel that our efforts ought to be local to build the real impetus for change on the national level.

Something else that really bothers me is just how few people vote that could and the excuses they use for not voting are just that- excuses. If you don’t participate in a democracy, of course your ideology won’t be represented. And the fact is, unless we educate and communicate our ideas with others, we will often not be on the winning side of elections. And this doesn’t get done by screaming talking point discussions that is so much a part of what the general population is exposed to by media that is bought and paid for- yes, even left-wing/progressive media.

What is going on with the suppression of voting rights is a very serious situation. It is very much a direct undermining of POC and all poor people as well as students and the elderly. It represents so much of what when on during the Jim Crowe era (which some historians see as never really ending).

Social movements do bring change. Not as fast as many would like because the US electorate is very diverse and today, finding any common ground among us in order to break ideological gridlock is next to impossible and this fact resides in both major political parties. This reflects our electorate very accurately and nothing will change if we the People don't compromise politically as well as continue to accept the Citizens United decision as impossible to overturn via Constitutional Amendment. Frankly, I wouldn't mind the entire OWS movement having this as a single goal. Achieving this would unlock the power to get any private money out of elections. Yes, this is something that will take years. That is how democracy works It isn't a one-click does it process.

I just have to add something- right on our voter registration cards is a space to voluntter to work in our election processes. Have anyone seen someone younger than 60 usually at your polling place? Stoping voter suppression tactics means being directly involved in your voting processes right in your district. Ever think about just who is behind things like voting machines being lost ot ballots that end up in a warehouse somewhere? Activism is more than protesting on the streets or even casting a vote. Take a personal day off and participate at your local polling place!