Money. Secrecy. Democracy.

On a recent Moyers & Company, Bill Moyers examined the Supreme Court's announcement that it would not reconsider democracy-killing Citizen's United decision. Moyers finds himself in rare agreement with the right wing as they crow about super-PACs successes. It is all about "the sheer force of money." Moyers exposes the hoax of the free speech argument: "Free speech, my foot: It’s about carpet bombing elections with all the tonnage your rich paymasters want to buy."

In comparing these tactics to those of despots and dictators, Moyers added, "On the one hand, conservatives declare that corporations and the superrich can spend all they want on exercising their First Amendment rights, but on the other, they demand to keep it secret so the rest of us can’t exercise our First Amendment rights to fight back.

Moyers concisely drew the logical conclusion that many of us believe to our very core: "Three things don’t go together. Money. Secrecy. Democracy. And that’s the nub of the matter. This is all a sham for invalidating democracy in the name of democracy."

Elections and democracy

Free speech at the polls? Remember the controversy about political apparel at polling places last November? It was a First Amendment issue that led to a lawsuit by three Virginia free-speech organizations. On Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 5:00 PM the House Privileges & Elections, Campaign Finance Subcommittee will take up HB 1610 and HB 1643. These bills permit individuals to wear buttons or items of apparel that contain a political candidate's name or a political slogan at polling places. Contact members to express your support for free speech. Delegate Landes represents Waynesboro and parts of Augusta, Rockingham, and Albemarle.

• O'Bannon (chairman)
• Hargrove
• Landes
• Janis
• Joannou
• Sickles

Early birds. Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections approved a bill that will allow voters to cast ballots before Election Day without providing a specific reason. More than half the states have early voting processes and 321,000 Virginians cast absentee ballots in Virginia last November, many in-person. This legislation will make it easier for individuals to vote early without meeting one of 17 specific reasons.

Supporters of the legislation include Governor Tim Kaine, the ACLU, and Nancy Rodrigues, secretary of the State Board of Elections who testified, "The reality is this is the United States of America and we can provide other alternatives." Rodrigues also noted that some voters currently "shop" for an acceptable reason forcing registrars into the difficult role of judging if it fits into one of the 17 currently allowed. 

Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) voted against the bill citing "the integrity of the system." We'll probably hear more of that Republican sound bite if the bill makes it to the House of Delegates. They have already killed a similar bill and have shown little inclination to make voting more accessible.

Dark underbelly of the beast

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a traitor and an idiot. Also, my mother should have aborted me and left me in a dumpster, but since she didn't, I should "off" myself.

Kathleen Parker, a conservative columnist, has learned firsthand about the ugliness on the Republican right - express an opinion contrary to the party line and they will try to silence you. About a week ago, Parker has written that Sarah Palin was out of her league and should be dropped from the ticket. In response, she got thousands of emails, many of them incredibly ugly, even threatening. You can read her entire column in the Washington Post.

I'm glad Parker had this epiphany and now realizes how mean the spirit can be on the Republican right. Out in the countryside of the 6th District, we've experienced it for years. Stolen and defaced signs. Obama signs shot by high powered rifles. Threats to people who write letters to the editor or place signs in their yard. Some threats acted upon with vandalism and personal intimidation.

Times are rapidly changing here in the 6th. Folks who have had enough are asking, no begging, for Obama/Biden signs which are springing up all over the place. In the newspapers I read, letters supporting Democratic candidates at least equal those supporting Republicans. Perhaps I'm biased, but they are also better written and more thoughtful. So many of the GOP letters seem to be repeating talking points of the partly line (don't want to stray like Parker did, or you will be silenced, too).

I have many Republican friends who subscribe to conservative principles and would never engage in this mean spirited discourse. On the other hand, I know several, including a couple holding office, who will smile to your face while stabbing you in the back. And I certainly know Republicans don't have a monopoly on being nasty, but it does seem much more despicable (not to mention unAmerican) when the group in the majority tries to silence the minority. Perhaps we in part owe this mentality to negative ads approved by the candidates - if its OK for them to lie and make hateful allegations against an opponent, it must be OK for anyone.

So Kathleen Parker has learned, as the Bible taught, "sow to the wind, and reap a whirlwind." That is a lesson we can all take to heart.