#1404 Democracy Under Siege (Voting and Protest Rights)
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Jay Tomlinson
4.5 • 3.4K Ratings
🗓️ 13 March 2021
⏱️ 70 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Air Date 3/12/2021
Today we take a look at the multiple tactics being implemented in an attempt to undermine the entire concept of democracy because adhering to the will of the majority and allowing for unfettered protests is currently working to the distinct disadvantage of the Republican Party. Most people see the right to vote and to protest as foundational to a functioning democracy, others see them as impediments to their divine right to rule.
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SHOW NOTES
Sarah Repucci explains the factors that have helped drive the grim decline in freedoms and democracy in the U.S. and other areas of the world in recent years, which countries are most at risk and why the United States has dropped in the rankings.
Ch. 2: Republicans Launch 253 Voter Suppression Bills - David Pakman Show - Air Date 3-2-21
Republicans launch 253 voter suppression bills across the country, realizing they didn't suppress enough votes in the 2020 election.
Ch. 3: The coming anti-protest laws w/ Alleen Brown + Akela Lacy Part 1 - This is Hell! - Air Date 2-12-21
Journalists Alleen Brown and Akela Lacy on their report "State Legislatures Make “Unprecedented” Push on Anti-Protest Bills" for The Intercept, and in a Moment of Truth, Jeff Dorchen empathizes with savages and samurai.
Ch. 4: RED ALERT: Anti-Protest Bills Popping Up Everywhere - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-19-20
Anti-protest bills of all kinds are popping up in numerous states across the United States.
Ch. 5: The coming anti-protest laws w/ Alleen Brown + Akela Lacy Part 2 - This is Hell! - Air Date 2-12-21
Ch. 6: Ari Berman on the Attack on Voting Rights - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-12-21
Do elite media think that whether or not the US, in 2021, under pressure from racists, goes back on the whole “one person one vote” thing is a legitimate topic for debate?
Across the U.S., Republican lawmakers have introduced more than 250 bills in 43 states aimed at restricting voting access. Ari Berman, author and reporter for Mother Jones, says Republicans are “breaking democracy” with their push to restrict voting.
Larry Lessig speaks with Representative John Sarbanes, the architect of the For The People Act (H.R. 1). The two dive into the provisions of this critically important piece of legislation to fix our democracy and what to expect in the months ahead.
Ch. 9: Fight GOP Voter Suppression Laws - Best of the Left Activism
Stand up against efforts to suppress the vote and subvert our democracy!
Democracy strikes back against the anti-democracy GOP, because every democracy story these days includes Republican fraud or attempted voter suppression. House Democrats passed H.R.1 -- the 'For the People Act' -- with zero Republican votes.
MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)
Sarah Repucci explains the factors that have helped drive the grim decline in freedoms and democracy in the U.S. and other areas of the world in recent years, which countries are most at risk and why the United States has dropped in the rankings.
VOICEMAILS
Ch. 13: Critiquing charitable giving - Maureen from Boston
FINAL COMMENTS
Ch. 14: Final comments on the deep humanity of patronizing patriotism
TAKE ACTION!
Common Cause H.R. 1 Campaign - Text & Phonebank & Resources
Demand Elimination of the Filibuster
Follow Your State Legislature & Contact State Reps, Senators and Governor
Support Opponents of Suppressionists in Public Office
Vote Riders - Help Fight Suppression & Help Voters Get IDs They Need
EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE
For the People Act Is Needed to Stop New GOP Voter Suppression Bills (Teen Vogue)
Annotated Guide to the For the People Act of 2021 (Brennan Center for Justice)
How to Restore and Strengthen the Voting Rights Act (Brennan Center for Justice)
Blue States Suppress the Vote, Too (The New Republic)
Republicans Are Taking Their Voter Suppression Efforts to New Extremes (Mother Jones)
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
- Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
- Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
- Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
- Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent
SHOW IMAGE:
Description: Circular protest sign held in the air by a pair of hands with the words "Voting is a Human Right. Stand for Freedom. Join the Fight!"
Credits: "December 10 march for voting rights" (2011) by Michael Fleshman (Flickr) | License | Changes: Cropped
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | During today's episode, I'm going to be telling you about a new podcast. |
| 0:06.1 | I think you should check out. |
| 0:07.1 | It's called Uneffing the Republic, but they don't say, |
| 0:10.1 | Effing, and I have a tale to tell. |
| 0:12.3 | It's based on a true story, so hear me out mid-show when I tell you more about it. |
| 0:17.0 | And now, welcome to this episode of the award-winning Best of Left podcast, in which we shall learn |
| 0:22.2 | about the multiple tactics being implemented in an attempt to undermine the entire concept |
| 0:28.0 | of democracy, because adhering to the will of the majority and allowing for unfettered |
| 0:32.6 | protests is currently working to the distinct disadvantage of the Republican Party. |
| 0:39.2 | Clips today are from the Bradcast, the David Pakman show, This is Hell, Counter-Spend, |
| 0:45.4 | Democracy Now, Another Way by Lawrence Lessig, and the Tom Hartman program. |
| 0:50.6 | Sunday, Mark the 56th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, when state troopers |
| 1:02.3 | beat and tear-gassed hundreds of peaceful protesters, as they crossed the Edmund Pettis Bridge in |
| 1:09.8 | a march for voter registration rights, the protesters were seeking justice and to ensure |
| 1:14.5 | their right to vote would not be denied. |
| 1:17.6 | At the head of the march was former Congressman John Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams, as |
| 1:23.1 | the troopers advanced with clubs raised the group Nelt in prayer, and then the images |
| 1:28.9 | of protesters bloody and bloodied and bruised, flashed across televisions across the nation, |
| 1:35.2 | and spurred Congress to pass, and President Johnson to sign into law the 1965 Voting Rights |
| 1:41.5 | Act. |
| 1:42.8 | As the White House noted over the weekend with the signing of an executive order by Joe Biden |
| 1:48.2 | to promote access to the voting booth, Congressman Lewis's fight to protect and expand the vote |
... |
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