Peter, never doubt that you're 'getting the hang of this' -- you've been doing that much way before today's post!
But I found today's post especially pertinent: it concerns a fire alarm issue that's pervading our democrary today as much as it has beginning with the reconstruction amendments. The SAVE Act is just the last iteration. It's also important to give a particular shout-out to SAVE, because among all the other crap that's happening now, SAVE seems to be rather benign.
I especially liked a suffrage-era cartoon showing women toiling away in factories, hospitals, and households, while men insisted voting would "unsex" them. Yes, of course, I would like that one!
I ran into this very problem while at the dmv applying for the Real ID. My passport did not match my birth certificate and I neglected to bring my marriage certificate to reconcile it. It was maddening that I had to make a second trip. Now imagine getting turned away from VOTING!? This is the biggest threat yet.
Kate, that sounds beyond frustrating—I can only imagine the DMV déjà vu. And you’re so right—if a simple ID renewal is already this much of a headache, turning it into a voting requirement is a disaster waiting to happen. It’s bureaucracy as a weapon, and we can’t let it slide!
Exactly, Bern! The techbros want AI to run everything—except when it might make voting easier and more accessible. Funny how their ‘innovation’ always seems to stop right where democracy begins. Almost like they know who benefits from the extra hurdles.
Epic post, Peter, and it couldn’t be more urgent. The fight is the same as it ever was—against corrupt power that, wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross, wants to smother our rights. This needs reposting far and wide for the next election. Makes me all the more thankful for Oregon’s highly successful mail-in voting.
This is an extremely important column, and the cartoons are brilliant! A worthy administration has nothing to fear from attracting as many votes as possible. It's only an unworthy one that feels the need to suppress them.
Appreciate this, R.D.! A government that serves the people should want every voice heard—suppression is the last refuge of those who know they can’t win fairly. The fight for democracy is never over, but neither is the pushback against those trying to dismantle it. Thanks for reading and engaging!
You made mention of women taking their husband's last name.Several years ago,Florida started doing the REAL ID's,the one that you need to get on a plane,go visit a government office,stuff like that.The required documents to get it,is your original birth certificate,Social Security card,proof of address(such as a bill or the lease paperwork that shows your address),and if you're a married and/or divorced woman,they wanted proof of EACH name change(it was referred to as an"alias",like getting married is something shady)and I knew women who had more than the two that I've had.For me it was a trip to the courthouse to get the documents that detailed my first divorce and second marriage,for proof that marriage changed my name.I mentioned elsewhere thinking about someone being like Liz Taylor or ZsaZsa Gabor,who each married multiple times,what a pain chasing all that down!
Just this week,we lost my sister in law,and when she and my brother married about 10 years ago,she took her maiden name back,on purpose.Me and my brother had a sister,who had the same first name,and had my sister in law taken my brother's last name,both would have had identical names.So to prevent confusion,my sister in law went by her maiden name.We have been kept busy explaining this over and over, because of her having a different last name than my brother.When someone asked her name,and then my brother,an eyebrow raised,and we had to tell them again what our sister's name is,for clarity.Yes, they're married,this is why hers is different from his.I'm waiting to say it in my sleep lol.
And the literacy tests,I knew multiple people back in rural Virginia,who were raised in the Depression Era,who were as illiterate as a fence post.They had a first or second grade education,and poor kids back then could only go to sixth grade(think Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies,it was treated as a joke,but it was actually true)and the wealthy kids went to private boarding schools to get a high school diploma and then be able to go to college.I always wondered why most of those same people rarely voted, this is likely why, because they couldn't read even their own name,much less anyone else's,and most couldn't write their name either.A literacy test would've been flunked in short order.Nowdays,there are ballots that can be read to someone who can't read so they can vote.Also wondering if the vote suppression crowd wants that ended as well.
Melissa, thanks for sharing your experiences—your point about name changes being treated like an ‘alias’ really hits home. The hoops women have to jump through just to prove their own identity are already frustrating enough, and the SAVE Act would make it so much worse. Sorry for your loss, and I can only imagine how exhausting it must be to keep explaining the name situation. Appreciate your thoughtful perspective!
About thirty years ago during a trip to Italy this was explained to me. Italian women did this very thing when they married. All the legal documentation was left as is with their maiden name. But to family and friends she Mrs. <husband-last-name>.
As far as suppression goes, I think the ultimate goal is to end voting all together. Think of this way: Trump won 2024 because his cult believed his promises. Now not so much. They are beginning to catch on when Elon's antics started to affect their lives. So comes 2026 or 2028. Nearly everyone is pissed at the Republicans. To allow the Democrats to flip seats in Congress where they could undo all the 'fine' work the Congressional Republicans and Elon have done (especially if the Democrats had veto proof majority) would be catastrophic. So martial law or some other tactic would be used to prevent voting.
Trump said so in July 2024: "in four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote." What they want is “in four years, we'll have it fixed so you're not gonna be able to vote.”
Michael, you’re absolutely right—once democratic norms start eroding, there’s no natural stopping point. The SAVE Act isnt just about making voting harder; its part of a broader effort to normalize restrictions on participation until voting itself becomes optional for those in power. Sustaining democracy means pushing back at every stage, before these ‘fixes’ become the new normal. Appreciate your insights!
(And regarding the Space Nazi's "traitors" comment. It's not only ridiculous, but it devalues the currency, as my wife would say. This bunch likes to scream "traitor!" anytime someone stands up to them, but I'd suggest that the ACTUAL traitor is the one who instigated an insurrection a few years back. Nuff said.)
Paige, that truly means a lot—thank you! I just dig through history’s mess and try to make sense of it. Knowing it resonates with kindred spirits like you makes it all worth it!
Much appreciated, E.R.! I just dig through old archives and let history do the talking—turns out its got a lot to say (especially when democracy’s on the line). Glad you found it illuminating!
Let's call it what it is. The SAVE Act is basically an attempt to institute and enforce apartheid in this country. But by all means let's give Trump and all the MAGA voters the Louisiana literacy test.
Eric, you nailed it. The SAVE Act is just voter suppression in a fancy suit, and weve seen this playbook before. If MAGA had to take the Louisiana literacy test, we’d be hearing very different arguments about ‘election integrity.’ Appreciate you calling it like it is!
Thank you so much for bringing this heinous SAVE Act to my/our attention. Your explanations of the details and how it would affect our RIGHT to vote are excellent and the cartoons and illustrations drive your points home. A really exceptional piece!
Peter -
Your best post yet.
Thank you.
I might be getting the hang of this. Thanks! It means a lot to hear that.
Peter, never doubt that you're 'getting the hang of this' -- you've been doing that much way before today's post!
But I found today's post especially pertinent: it concerns a fire alarm issue that's pervading our democrary today as much as it has beginning with the reconstruction amendments. The SAVE Act is just the last iteration. It's also important to give a particular shout-out to SAVE, because among all the other crap that's happening now, SAVE seems to be rather benign.
I especially liked a suffrage-era cartoon showing women toiling away in factories, hospitals, and households, while men insisted voting would "unsex" them. Yes, of course, I would like that one!
Best to you, and keep up the good work!
I ran into this very problem while at the dmv applying for the Real ID. My passport did not match my birth certificate and I neglected to bring my marriage certificate to reconcile it. It was maddening that I had to make a second trip. Now imagine getting turned away from VOTING!? This is the biggest threat yet.
Kate, that sounds beyond frustrating—I can only imagine the DMV déjà vu. And you’re so right—if a simple ID renewal is already this much of a headache, turning it into a voting requirement is a disaster waiting to happen. It’s bureaucracy as a weapon, and we can’t let it slide!
Writing this response separately so as to not dilute my above comment.
Interesting that the techboyz revere AI-ing everything EXCEPT voting registration. Unveiling their secret doubts…?
Exactly, Bern! The techbros want AI to run everything—except when it might make voting easier and more accessible. Funny how their ‘innovation’ always seems to stop right where democracy begins. Almost like they know who benefits from the extra hurdles.
Thank you 💙
Epic post, Peter, and it couldn’t be more urgent. The fight is the same as it ever was—against corrupt power that, wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross, wants to smother our rights. This needs reposting far and wide for the next election. Makes me all the more thankful for Oregon’s highly successful mail-in voting.
Well done! Thank you!
This is an extremely important column, and the cartoons are brilliant! A worthy administration has nothing to fear from attracting as many votes as possible. It's only an unworthy one that feels the need to suppress them.
Appreciate this, R.D.! A government that serves the people should want every voice heard—suppression is the last refuge of those who know they can’t win fairly. The fight for democracy is never over, but neither is the pushback against those trying to dismantle it. Thanks for reading and engaging!
Welp! That's a semester's history course right there! Thank you.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the post. I guess I blasted through 250 years.
Bravo! Quite a collection and so on-point.
Much appreciated, M. Apodaca! Glad you’re enjoying the deep dives—plenty more where that came from. Hope to see you around!
You made mention of women taking their husband's last name.Several years ago,Florida started doing the REAL ID's,the one that you need to get on a plane,go visit a government office,stuff like that.The required documents to get it,is your original birth certificate,Social Security card,proof of address(such as a bill or the lease paperwork that shows your address),and if you're a married and/or divorced woman,they wanted proof of EACH name change(it was referred to as an"alias",like getting married is something shady)and I knew women who had more than the two that I've had.For me it was a trip to the courthouse to get the documents that detailed my first divorce and second marriage,for proof that marriage changed my name.I mentioned elsewhere thinking about someone being like Liz Taylor or ZsaZsa Gabor,who each married multiple times,what a pain chasing all that down!
Just this week,we lost my sister in law,and when she and my brother married about 10 years ago,she took her maiden name back,on purpose.Me and my brother had a sister,who had the same first name,and had my sister in law taken my brother's last name,both would have had identical names.So to prevent confusion,my sister in law went by her maiden name.We have been kept busy explaining this over and over, because of her having a different last name than my brother.When someone asked her name,and then my brother,an eyebrow raised,and we had to tell them again what our sister's name is,for clarity.Yes, they're married,this is why hers is different from his.I'm waiting to say it in my sleep lol.
And the literacy tests,I knew multiple people back in rural Virginia,who were raised in the Depression Era,who were as illiterate as a fence post.They had a first or second grade education,and poor kids back then could only go to sixth grade(think Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies,it was treated as a joke,but it was actually true)and the wealthy kids went to private boarding schools to get a high school diploma and then be able to go to college.I always wondered why most of those same people rarely voted, this is likely why, because they couldn't read even their own name,much less anyone else's,and most couldn't write their name either.A literacy test would've been flunked in short order.Nowdays,there are ballots that can be read to someone who can't read so they can vote.Also wondering if the vote suppression crowd wants that ended as well.
Melissa, thanks for sharing your experiences—your point about name changes being treated like an ‘alias’ really hits home. The hoops women have to jump through just to prove their own identity are already frustrating enough, and the SAVE Act would make it so much worse. Sorry for your loss, and I can only imagine how exhausting it must be to keep explaining the name situation. Appreciate your thoughtful perspective!
About thirty years ago during a trip to Italy this was explained to me. Italian women did this very thing when they married. All the legal documentation was left as is with their maiden name. But to family and friends she Mrs. <husband-last-name>.
As far as suppression goes, I think the ultimate goal is to end voting all together. Think of this way: Trump won 2024 because his cult believed his promises. Now not so much. They are beginning to catch on when Elon's antics started to affect their lives. So comes 2026 or 2028. Nearly everyone is pissed at the Republicans. To allow the Democrats to flip seats in Congress where they could undo all the 'fine' work the Congressional Republicans and Elon have done (especially if the Democrats had veto proof majority) would be catastrophic. So martial law or some other tactic would be used to prevent voting.
Trump said so in July 2024: "in four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote." What they want is “in four years, we'll have it fixed so you're not gonna be able to vote.”
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-tells-christians-they-wont-have-vote-after-this-election-2024-07-27/
Michael, you’re absolutely right—once democratic norms start eroding, there’s no natural stopping point. The SAVE Act isnt just about making voting harder; its part of a broader effort to normalize restrictions on participation until voting itself becomes optional for those in power. Sustaining democracy means pushing back at every stage, before these ‘fixes’ become the new normal. Appreciate your insights!
How Trump and the GOP Fixed the 2026 Election — Yes, 2026
https://hartmannreport.com/p/how-trump-and-the-gop-fixed-the-2026-c8a
They tested the EAGLEAI in 2024 to win the election.
Now they will double down in 2026.
Excellent article. Thanks for adding it to this thread
(And regarding the Space Nazi's "traitors" comment. It's not only ridiculous, but it devalues the currency, as my wife would say. This bunch likes to scream "traitor!" anytime someone stands up to them, but I'd suggest that the ACTUAL traitor is the one who instigated an insurrection a few years back. Nuff said.)
Thank you for your very powerful, thorough, and well researched posts. They’re SO appreciated.
Paige, that truly means a lot—thank you! I just dig through history’s mess and try to make sense of it. Knowing it resonates with kindred spirits like you makes it all worth it!
And it’ll resonate with others too, bc I definitely just shared with some family and friends 🤓 keep up the amazing work!
Thanks. Spread the word. That's why I keep it free!
The depth of information in this post is illuminating. Proof that it's always helpful to follow a well informed history professor!
Much appreciated, E.R.! I just dig through old archives and let history do the talking—turns out its got a lot to say (especially when democracy’s on the line). Glad you found it illuminating!
You did such a great job, I've been posting around to get folks up to speed on the gambit the Republicans are playing.
Good to hear. I SAVE were ever enacted - game over
Let's call it what it is. The SAVE Act is basically an attempt to institute and enforce apartheid in this country. But by all means let's give Trump and all the MAGA voters the Louisiana literacy test.
Eric, you nailed it. The SAVE Act is just voter suppression in a fancy suit, and weve seen this playbook before. If MAGA had to take the Louisiana literacy test, we’d be hearing very different arguments about ‘election integrity.’ Appreciate you calling it like it is!
Thank you so much for bringing this heinous SAVE Act to my/our attention. Your explanations of the details and how it would affect our RIGHT to vote are excellent and the cartoons and illustrations drive your points home. A really exceptional piece!
A really worthwhile read!