Category Archives: Editorial

Planning to Vote in November? Do you have the required documents?

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Voter Suppression is an integral tool to maintain division among various socioeconomic groups. Those negatively impacted in the 2012 election will be historically underrepresented groups, people categorized as lower-income, and college students.

Per the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau there are approximately 20,779,000 to 22,342,000 college students.  In some areas, if students are attending state institutions, their college ID will be sufficient documentation to vote.  Those attending private post-secondary institutions are not as fortunate.

It is incumbent on those college students to investigate the new rulings relative to their home state.

If you have elders, who do not possess state IDs, you should encourage them to begin the process of obtaining one.

Ruthelle Frank, via ACLU:
http://www.aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/out-cold-age-84-wisconsins-ruthelle-frank-fights-her-right-vote

Ruthellen Frank, an 83 years old woman, from Brokaw, Wisconsin has voted since 1948. Born at home in 1927, she has no birth certificate and the legal fees to obtain one are cost prohibitive. This may be the first time that her political voice will be stifled.

The September 5 Interrace Forum will address the ramifications of the new voter’s registration rulings. Dr. Darren Davis, Associate Vice President for Research and Lilly Presidential Fellow, will lead the discussion. One component of Professor Davis’ research is the measurement of political and social attitudes.

Please join us for dinner, discussion and information to ensure your voice is heard in November. RSVP by calling 574-631-6841 or email: msps@nd.edu with Interrace in the subject line. Reservations are required by September 4.

Cosponsors – Center for Social Concerns Raise Your Voice Campaign

 

End Gun Violence

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Columbine, Virginia Tech, Tucson, Florida, Aurora, Wisconsin…the list of mass shootings continues to grow. Six people were murdered at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on Sunday, and our nations leaders remain silent on how they would end the violence. Our prayers reach out to the families whose lives have been shattered irreparably and our thoughts beg for a solution to such atrocities.

It’s past time for action. There is an urgent need for the presidential candidates to present a concrete plan to end gun violence in America.

Police officers cannot combat gun violence alone. Legislators in Washington and across the country should do more to help law enforcement fight illegal guns because the current laws are not working.

Federal law prohibits certain categories of dangerous people from owning guns, and licensed dealers can easily screen buyers with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Nevertheless the system is easily evaded, especially in so-called “private sales” made at hundreds of gun shows around the country every year. Why do loopholes exist in the law that allow individuals who have violent arrest records and history of domestic abuse – like the killer of Trayvon Martin – to purchase and carry a concealed, loaded gun?

The heart of the matter is that gun control is neither conservative nor liberal, not black, white, or brown – it is one of life and death.

Change must also come from our generation. Last spring, I accompanied lobbyists from The Raben Group, LLC, to Capitol Hill to meet with firearms legislative assistants on behalf of our client, Mayors Against Illegal Guns. I witnessed firsthand how lobbyists can educate policymakers on the intricacies of proposed laws and established laws, in the effort to create safe communities nationwide. I learned that I could use an education in law to create safe communities, which is why I will become a lawyer.