Don’t tell ME I can’t possibly be that stupid! GOP Motto
It’s a timeless classic for a reason. Because it works. Every time a group is faced with a multi phase problem to solve, the first piece of advice somebody gives them is to Keep it simple, stupid! For two simple reasons. First, the more complex the solution, the harder it is to implement and administer it. And second, the more complex the solution, the more loopholes for wise guys to crawl through.
Nowhere is this concept more crystal clear than in Georgia’s idiotic new voter suppression suite of laws. The bill that the usurper Governor Brian Kemp signed into law was something like 98 pages of thinly veiled racist drivel pretending to be voting reform laws.
For the most part, the new law is a GOP Christmas wish list for voter suppression. Shorter early voting availability, requiring a copy of the voters state photo ID be enclosed if voting by mail, shortening early and election day voting hours, and even criminalizing anyone giving food or water to voters standing in obscenely long lines. The alleged logic for this moronic crap was to restore and ensure voter and vote integrity, and to ensure free and fair elections in the state of Georgia.
Bullshit, but let’s just let that slide for a moment. For our purposes, let’s just say that the law goes through the expected legal challenges, and is found to be constitutional. Here’s where the Georgia state GOP legislature screwed the pooch. They got too greedy by half, and ensured that at least one part of the law will be struck down in court.
The Georgia legislature removed the Secretary of State from his job of administering elections, and took that responsibility for themselves. Worse yet, they gave themselves plenary power to step in and monitor, and if necessary, make changes to local and county voting tallies in case of voting irregularities.
I’m sorry, excuse me, but what the fuck?! Color me stupid, but it seems to me that the whole purpose of that 98 page blivit was to ensure safe, fair, and secure democratic elections in the state of Georgia. If the law is working as constructed and designed, then there should never!, ever! be a reason for the Georgia state legislature to stick its big, fat GOP nose into how a county is processing their ballots! The law has made the election safe and secure, remember? And if it turns out that there are rampant voting irregularities in the counties, especially the black ones, then why is the stupid law still in place? The GOP legislature can’t have it both ways on this.
I cannot believe that that portion of the law will survive. It’s a simple matter of logic. How does the Georgia legislature go into court and argue that it is somehow constitutional for a bunch of partisan, political hacks to write a law that gives them absolute veto power to alter voting results in counties, based on conflicted partisan rules that they also wrote themselves! And if that critical centerpiece is so flawed and poorly written, what else are seasoned lawyers going to find when they start going through the rest of that stupid bill. Don’t touch that dial.
Follow me on Twitter at @RealMurfster35
1: Point gun at foot
2: Squeeze trigger
3: Scream (and remind yourself that you never, wanted gun control)
4: Then repeat for other foot when it falls from your mouth as you scream.
Even better!
Excellent!
I wouldn’t be concerned that this overreach will be ruled unconstitutional were it not for the fact that we have a gerrymandered SCOTUS.
Well, considering the fact that the Secretary of State position in most states is an ELECTIVE OFFICE and the Legislature has essentially changed the position’s powers and responsibilities, there’s definitely a chance that even the “gerrymandered SCOTUS” will have little option but to overturn at least THAT part of the law. SCOTUS–even ones that have been friendly or amicable to the in-power President or Congress–has had little difficulty in overruling laws and executive orders that smack of “overreach” that “intrudes” on the other branch’s Constitutional authority.
And the real irony? When Brian Kemp was running for Governor of Georgia, he was the sitting Secretary of State–the guy responsible for all the election matters–and he refused to even step aside during the race to avoid even the merest suggestion of conflict of interest and, instead, he personally oversaw removing a number of (mostly minority) voters from the rolls. What makes it ironic is that Kemp would’ve fought tooth and nail against ANY similar legislative action that would’ve adversely affected HIS authority. Here though, it seems like he just decided to go along with the Legislature in its bid to strip the office of a major part of its job.
I can’t even express how much I love the way this article doesn’t pull any punches in describing this debacle that Georgia’s Republicans are trying to foist on the state and nation. All journalism should be this direct when crap like this is done.
Yes, this is crazy. May Georgia be hoist on its on petard.
I just read that the Supreme Court has determined that use of excessive force by police qualifies as an unlawful search and seizure under the 4th Amendment, giving victims of force a wider ground for suing police. Plaintiff was a woman shot in the back by police while fleeing, and she wasn’t the person they were looking for. Roberts and Kavanaugh joined the liberal-ish justices on this. Interesting development.
Thanks for pointing out the logical inconsistencies of the Georgia law. Have to see how that plays out, but have no doubt that it will end up in court.