Literacy Tests? REALLY Gov. McDonnell?

Gov. Bob ' The Civil War wasn't really about slavery' McDonnell, is up to his same bag of tricks.

From the Washington Post:

McDonnell in hot water over nonviolent felons' rights
By Anita Kumar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 11, 2010

RICHMOND -- For the second time in a week, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has angered black leaders and civil rights groups, this time when they learned of his plans to add another step for nonviolent felons to have their voting rights restored.

McDonnell (R) will require the offenders to submit an essay outlining their contributions to society since their release, turning a nearly automatic process into a subjective one that some say may prevent poor, less-educated or minority residents from being allowed to vote.

"It's another roadblock," Sen. Yvonne B. Miller (D-Norfolk), a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said when she was told of the change.

Miller has repeatedly introduced unsuccessful bills to allow nonviolent offenders to have their rights restored automatically. "This is designed to suppress the rights of poor people," she said.

You understand that? You've paid your' debt to society', and on top of an application process, he wanted ex-felons to SUBMIT AN ESSAY. Just exactly WHO would be reading those essays? WHO was going to determine what WAS and WAS NOT an acceptable essay?

This is nothing more than an attempt to reinstate LITERACY TESTS.

Let me say it again, quoting Dennis Green:

THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.

Plain and simple.

He thought that he could just roll on in and reinstate LITERACY TESTS, and folks would be hunky dory about it.

They really don't think Black folk can read. Or that we can comprehend what he is attempting to do.

This story came out on Sunday, by Monday night, he was backtracking, saying that this was just in the ' draft' stages, except for the not-so-small FACT, that WaPo and the Rachel Maddow show, produced LETTERS TO EX-FELONS telling them to send in their ESSAYS.

Then, once it was clear that his ass was busted on that, then Tuesday or Wednesday, he was blaming some low-level staffer.

You're not slick Governor. Folks can see you up close and personal.

This is about VOTER SUPPRESSION, plain and simple. That voting rights aren't restored automatically is a form of voter suppression.

Virginia turned BLUE in 2008, and these lowlife mofos are determined to 'correct' that in 2012.

He is EVERY BIT the right-wing nutcase that Town and other JJP posters warned us he would be. He hasn't disappointed one bit, cause nobody here was fooled by his extremism.

Rachel Maddow did 2 pieces this week on McDonnell and his backtracking on this issue.

This is from Tuesday's Show:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This is from Wednesday's Show:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Democrat Collapse in Virginia

This article at Firedoglake was so right on target I just had to share it here. Hat tip to Chris Townsend who originally wrote this post. The chatter on the talk shows today is centered on the depressed turnout by the Democratic base for Virginia's elections contributing to an easy Republican victory.

Townsend's article powerfully illustrates how working class people had little to no reason to vote Democratic this election and hence, largely stayed home on election day. After reading Townsend's article I can't say that I blame them. In fact, I would wonder why any working class person in Virginia would want to vote for a Democratic Party that is non-responsive to their needs and interests.

A Union Man Ponders the Democrats’ Collapse in the Virginia Elections

Exactly one year ago the Obama-Biden momentum and optimism swept over this state, generating record numbers of enthusiastic voters all clamoring for "Change." Obama won this state handily, with a campaign machine and message which in many ways set the standard. These dreams and hopes now lay shattered and scattered. How could this be? What are the reasons for one of the most phenomenal political collapses in recent U.S, history?

1. The Democratic Party election strategy in Virginia only works successfully when it can blame Virginia’s decaying communities and falling living standards on Republican rule. With no Republican boogeyman in office to blame this year it was no surprise that their usual routine never got off the ground. Facing Republican candidate — now Governor-elect Bob McDonnell — who is truly stone age in his views, the Democrats flailed away but none of it would stick. The Democrats had nothing to say this election about how they might defend working people from employer attacks, or advocate on their behalf. Nothing. Unemployment is much higher than it was at election time last year, and those working people still working are working (mostly) for less. The cost of living in many places in Virginia is akin to the northeast, while wages are comparable to the deep south. The heavy tax bite for workers includes the remnants of an indefensible annual property tax on automobiles, surely one of the most regressive and hated taxes on the books anywhere. And, once you get 25 miles south of Washington, D.C. — or away from the numerous military installations in Virginia –you’ll find a working class that is not just impoverished but acutely aware of their diminishing opportunities to escape it.

2. When the Obama campaign turned out the lights and went home just a couple days after the election last year that was it. The campaign was over. When the paid campaign staff operatives threw the switch to try to turn it all back "on" this year nothing happened. The Obama strategy of relentlessly and fruitlessly trying to coax support for its timid agenda from the Republican Congressional minority has left the rank-and-file with nothing to do but complain in frustration. The activists were largely missing in action, and the newly energized voters stayed at home. It was as if last year never happened.

Get the full article at Firedoglake.