We've come a long way, baby.
Or maybe not.
Early in America's history, only property owners could vote. That changed. Then only men could vote. That changed.
Then only payers of poll taxes or passers of so-called literary tests could vote. That changed--until now.
Jim Crow is back in a majority of states--the ones with Republican governors and legislatures.
We're talking about voter-suppression legislation thinly disguised as preemptive responses to alleged voter fraud by requiring government-issued photo identification at polls.
The GOP--unable to win the hearts, minds and votes of rational electors--intends to win elections by impeding balloting by minorities, seniors, students and the impoverished.
You won't find any vote guarantees in the Bill of Rights or spelled out in the U.S. Constitution.
But that sacred exercise is the most fundamental right and responsibility of Americans. It is worth dying for. (18 AUGUST 2013)
