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Power Lies with the People

Oct 12, 2012
by Caroline Miller
Thomas Paine, Victoria Bassetti
3 Comments

In this election cycle, I hear talk about a drop in voter turnout. People say they are disillusioned with the political process or aren’t inspired by either party. Unfortunately many citizens take the ballot box for granted, believing the right to vote is guaranteed by the Constitution. But, as Victoria Bassetti points out in Harper’s, no such right exists. The 14, 15, 19, 24 and 26 Amendments provide only partial protection:

The vote cannot be denied to a citizen on the basis of race, gender, age (once the voter is over eighteen), or the ability to pay a poll tax. (“In Search of the Right to Vote,” by Victoria Bassetti, Harper’s Magazine, 10/12, pg. 18.)

Voter eligibility, she points out, is determined by the states, not by the federal government, and is at the heart of the voter ID battle. Not even Thomas Paine, one of our Founding Fathers, was guaranteed a vote. After a dispute with George Washington, he was turned away from the New York polls. (Ibid, pg. 17)

Some people excuse their malaise to their cynicism about Wall Street and the mire in Congress. But that defense ignores the obvious. The ballot box is the one place in the political process where money and power do not matter. Failing to exercises one’s vote is a serious a blow to our democracy and a disrespect to the soldiers who risk their lives to protect our form of government.

The Ballot Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Comments
  1. Tilly Gaillard October 12, 2012 at 7:22 am Reply
    Fully agree with you. In some countries, like Belgium and Australia, citizens are fined for not voting. That's going overboard but I'm glad you took up that theme, Carrie. Eat, love and VOTE.. It's really important... Tilly, a voter registration officer volunteering in Paris where we signed up more than 1000 voters!.
    • Caroline Miller October 12, 2012 at 12:04 pm Reply
      Registering folks to vote, a noble calling. I commend you. So glad you liked the remarks and keep up the good work!
  2. Tilly Gaillard October 12, 2012 at 7:35 am Reply
    I'm glad you tackled that theme, Carrie since it is really important to vote. Eat, Love and Vote. In some countries like Australia and Belgium citizens re fined for not voting. That's going too far, in my opinion. Thanks, Carrie, Tilly, a voters registration officer volunteering in Paris

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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