Received this e-mail for U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Ed Markey (D. MA-5), who is spreading a petition to protect the Voting Rights Act:
The Supreme Court just heard a case that you all need to know about -- a case that could make it harder for people to vote.
It's called Shelby County v. Holder, and it will determine the fate of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Section 5 ensures that all citizens have equal access to the right to vote regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, social status or personal wealth.
For nearly 48 years, the VRA has stopped the proliferation of laws that would make it more difficult for groups to vote. That protection is just as important today as it was 48 years ago.
Help me show the Supreme Court that the American people still stand -- yesterday, today, and always -- in support of voting rights for all. I'm calling for the protection of the Voting Rights Act. Click here to join me:
http://www.edmarkey.com/...
The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy -- if we begin to chip away at it, even a little, the integrity of the whole system is at risk.
There are factions in this country that still attempt to stop groups from casting ballots. And in the areas of America "covered" by the VRA, these attempts have been rebuked.
We need to protect the right to vote for all Americans. Click here to join me in support of the VRA:
http://www.edmarkey.com/...
Thank you.
Ed
You can sign Ed's petition here:
http://www.edmarkey.com/...
Thank you soon-to-be Senator Markey for sticking up for people's right to vote. Former GOP Senator Judd Gregg (R NH) is a supporter of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and responded to Justice Antonin Scalia's remarks about the Voting Rights Act:
http://tv.msnbc.com/...
Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia expressed perhaps the most notable opposition to Section 5 when, during the oral arguments, he called the provision an example of “racial entitlement” that lawmakers would never be able to overturn:
"I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement. It’s been written about. Whenever a society adopts racial entitlements, it is very difficult to get out of them through the normal political processes. I don’t think there is anything to be gained by any senator to vote against continuation of this act. And I am fairly confident it will be reenacted in perpetuity unless – unless a court can say it does not comport with the Constitution."
When asked in an e-mail about Scalia’s objection, Gregg wrote, “I do believe this is a legislative matter where the action of the congress should take priority and does not raise constitutional issues that justify judicial action superseding the legislative branch’s role.” Gregg’s support for Section 5 is especially notable given that ten towns in New Hampshire are among the covered jurisdictions under the provision. - Up with Chris Hayes, 3/2/13
Scalia is clearly one of the GOP's top supporters of suppressing the vote and disenfranchising minorities from voting. Please take a moment and sign Markey's petition:
http://www.edmarkey.com/...