Veterans Day and Election Day

[Bob78164]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

But there's a ready solution to the Republican "problem." Move Veterans Day back by a week and set Election Day for that Monday. What better tribute could there be to the veterans who fought for our freedom than to exercise the most basic right of a democracy on the day devoted to veterans? --Bob

[silverscreenselect]

But there's a ready solution to the Republican "problem." Move Veterans Day back by a week and a day and set Election Day for that Monday. What better tribute could there be to the veterans who fought for our freedom than to exercise the most basic right of a democracy on the day devoted to veterans? --Bob

The problem with that is that the Federal election day is set in the Constitution and would require an amendment to change (we had to amend the Constitution to move Inauguration Day to January). Good luck getting that done in today's political atmosphere.

[Bob78164]

But there's a ready solution to the Republican "problem." Move Veterans Day back by a week and set Election Day for that Monday. What better tribute could there be to the veterans who fought for our freedom than to exercise the most basic right of a democracy on the day devoted to veterans? --Bob

The problem with that is that the Federal election day is set in the Constitution and would require an amendment to change (we had to amend the Constitution to move Inauguration Day to January). Good luck getting that done in today's political atmosphere.

You're mistaken. The Constitution allows Congress to set a national election day, but Congress may set that day by statute. U.S. Const., art. I, sect. 4, cl. 1 (Congressional elections); id. art. II, sect. 1, cl. 4 (Presidential election).

[Spock]

Obviously, the tradition and meaning of November 11 mean nothing to you.

[Bob78164]

Obviously, the tradition and meaning of November 11 mean nothing to you.

They don't seem to mean much to anyone. In two years out of seven (roughly), we don't celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 because that day is a weekend. And I can't think of any reason at all why the end date of a specific war should be the date we use to honor veterans. --Bob

[tlynn78]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

But there's a ready solution to the Republican "problem." Move Veterans Day back by a week and set Election Day for that Monday. What better tribute could there be to the veterans who fought for our freedom than to exercise the most basic right of a democracy on the day devoted to veterans? --Bob

Damn, Bob, there you go figuring out another of our nefarious plots. Are you sure you aren't Scooby Doo?

[Bob78164]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

But there's a ready solution to the Republican "problem." Move Veterans Day back by a week and set Election Day for that Monday. What better tribute could there be to the veterans who fought for our freedom than to exercise the most basic right of a democracy on the day devoted to veterans? --Bob

Damn, Bob, there you go figuring out another of our nefarious plots. Are you sure you aren't Scooby Doo?

Nothing hard about it. Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor that making Election Day a national holiday was a power grab. He said it was a power grab by "Democrats," which I'm pretty sure was his way of mispronouncing "the American people," but there you have it. --Bob

[T_Bone0806]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

I don't normally find myself defending the Republican agenda, but I gotta say I'm not seeing the logic in this. I don't understand why it would be an advantage for the Democrats to have the day off. I'm pretty sure a lot of Republicans work, too.

[Bob78164]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

I don't normally find myself defending the Republican agenda, but I gotta say I'm not seeing the logic in this. I don't understand why it would be an advantage for the Democrats to have the day off. I'm pretty sure a lot of Republicans work, too.

It's usually easier for white-collar workers to take time away from the office than for blue-collar workers to risk missing a shift. --Bob

[T_Bone0806]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

I don't normally find myself defending the Republican agenda, but I gotta say I'm not seeing the logic in this. I don't understand why it would be an advantage for the Democrats to have the day off. I'm pretty sure a lot of Republicans work, too.

It's usually easier for white-collar workers to take time away from the office than for blue-collar workers to risk missing a shift. --Bob

I'm also pretty sure that the Republicans count a pretty fair share of blue collar workers among their ranks.

[jarnon]

Obviously, the tradition and meaning of November 11 mean nothing to you.

Veterans Day was the fourth Monday in October from 1971 to 1977. In England, the war dead are honoured on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November. I don't think it's disrespectful, a century after the Armistice, to observe Veterans Day on the second Monday in November and move elections to that day.

[Bob78164]

Obviously, the tradition and meaning of November 11 mean nothing to you.

Veterans Day was the fourth Monday in October from 1971 to 1977. In England, the war dead are honoured on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November. I don't think it's disrespectful, a century after the Armistice, to observe Veterans Day on the second Monday in November and move elections to that day.

I'd rather use the first Monday, or the first Monday after the first Sunday. Transition periods are already short enough. --Bob

[littlebeast13]

Republicans are pushing back against the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday by arguing that we don't need to add another federal holiday to the roster. Of course, this is a pretext. What Republicans really don't like is the idea of more eligible voters being able to vote more easily.

I don't normally find myself defending the Republican agenda, but I gotta say I'm not seeing the logic in this. I don't understand why it would be an advantage for the Democrats to have the day off. I'm pretty sure a lot of Republicans work, too.

It's usually easier for white-collar workers to take time away from the office than for blue-collar workers to risk missing a shift. --Bob

How many blue collar workers even get the pissy ass Federal holidays off in the first place? Most people don't work for banks and government offices...

Three November official holidays would be ridiculous...

lb13

[silverscreenselect]

How many blue collar workers even get the pissy ass Federal holidays off in the first place? Most people don't work for banks and government offices...

Three November official holidays would be ridiculous...

lb13

That was my thought in this thread originally. I wonder how many people who aren't government employees get Veteran's Day off. I've only had the day off when I worked for a government agency.

If you're going to eliminate a Federal holiday, why not Columbus Day, which no one actually celebrates any more?

[littlebeast13]

How many blue collar workers even get the pissy ass Federal holidays off in the first place? Most people don't work for banks and government offices...

Three November official holidays would be ridiculous...

lb13

That was my thought in this thread originally. I wonder how many people who aren't government employees get Veteran's Day off. I've only had the day off when I worked for a government agency.

If you're going to eliminate a Federal holiday, why not Columbus Day, which no one actually celebrates any more?

There's really three tiers of holidays in this country...

The Big Ones: Thanksgiving and Christmas... where just about everything is closed (I obviously realize Black "Friday" has taken a lot of the luster out of the former, but it's still treated like one of the universal holidays)

The General Ones: New Years Day (why?), Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day... where most business places are closed, but a lot of the everyday commercial workplaces are still open. And I think the only reason for this category at all is because we like holidays in the summertime.

The Pissy Ass Ones: MLK Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day... where mostly official places of business (govt/banks) are closed and just about everyone else is still expected at work.

Any new Federal holiday would automatically join the pissy ass list. I remember when there was a push to make September 11th (now Patriots Day) a holiday. It would have been just as ridiculous for the same reasons (the week after Labor Day)... and it would've become the most awkward theme for a holiday weekend sale, which all of the pissy ass holidays become in time...

lb13

[bazodee]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

[BackInTex]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

[Bob78164]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

People complain in Texas because it has the strictest Voter ID laws in the country --Bob

[BackInTex]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

People complain in Texas because it has the strictest Voter ID laws in the country --Bob

Not people, Democrats. Democrats complain in other states, too. And the complaints are all the same. I'm paraphrasing but it's always "our voters are too stupid or lazy to get those free IDs". And yet, those voters being called stupid and lazy by the Democratic party still vote for them. Proving the Democratic Party correct.

[Bob78164]

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

People complain in Texas because it has the strictest Voter ID laws in the country --Bob

Not people, Democrats. Democrats complain in other states, too. And the complaints are all the same. I'm paraphrasing but it's always "our voters are too stupid or lazy to get those free IDs". And yet, those voters being called stupid and lazy by the Democratic party still vote for them. Proving the Democratic Party correct.

Or they're too poor to take time off work and have someone drive them several counties away to get one of them. Or they're college students who don't realize until too late that Texas won't accept a college ID for voting purposes. --Bob

[BackInTex]

People complain in Texas because it has the strictest Voter ID laws in the country --Bob

Not people, Democrats. Democrats complain in other states, too. And the complaints are all the same. I'm paraphrasing but it's always "our voters are too stupid or lazy to get those free IDs". And yet, those voters being called stupid and lazy by the Democratic party still vote for them. Proving the Democratic Party correct.

Or they're too poor to take time off work and have someone drive them several counties away to get one of them. Or they're college students who don't realize until too late that Texas won't accept a college ID for voting purposes. --Bob

They are not too poor. Too lazy. They figure out how to get everything else done in their life. Yeah, you can probably find that one person, but then I'll offset it by my one fraud vote.

In the college kids case, too stupid or lazy, probably both.

[SportsFan68]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

In Colorado, we don't need a day off because as Bazodee notes we have all ballot-by-mail. We have folkses from New York coming to observe how great our system works. I wish we had folkses from Florida instead. Our County Clerk was grinding her teeth and tearing her hair out when the news reports were hitting about the mess down there. Me too! Aargh!

[jarnon]

In Colorado, we don't need a day off because as Bazodee notes we have all ballot-by-mail. We have folkses from New York coming to observe how great our system works. I wish we had folkses from Florida instead. Our County Clerk was grinding her teeth and tearing her hair out when the news reports were hitting about the mess down there. Me too! Aargh

You'd think they learned their lesson after the 2000 debacle, but no! I'm amazed that both the election supervisor and sheriff in Broward County were just removed for incompetence. Sounds like Philadelphia politics.

[SportsFan68]

How about just expanding early voting so that one can choose among 10 different days to vote?

A couple states are all ballot-by-mail now. Why would those folks need a day off? (are the lines at the post office that long?)

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

You must live in a different state than I do. . . . Oh, wait...

People in Colorado do not complain. Many still want to go to a polling place, which is fine -- they can do that. But most of us love being able to sit down and have big fights with our spouses, especially about the issues measures ... Oops! I mean, most of love us being able to sit down in our homes and discuss the merits of each measure.

Anyway, back to the point -- we are very proud of our system. Republican Secretary of State Wayne Williams did a great job of implementing the system, but he bought about $1,000 of fancy-schmancy clothes on a State credit card for a youth charity event, and that combined with an earlier issue was enough to sink his re-election chances.

[SportsFan68]

Exactly. In Texas you can vote any day for almost 2 weeks before an election. You can vote at any voting location in the county you are registered in. Yet, people still complain. But it only seems to be the Democrats that complain.

People complain in Texas because it has the strictest Voter ID laws in the country --Bob

Not people, Democrats. Democrats complain in other states, too. And the complaints are all the same. I'm paraphrasing but it's always "our voters are too stupid or lazy to get those free IDs". And yet, those voters being called stupid and lazy by the Democratic party still vote for them. Proving the Democratic Party correct.

BiT, that is simply not true, at least about Colorado. We are very proud of our system here. I'm especially proud of the uptick in the number of people taking the time to become educated on the issues instead of just not voting on them. Where I live, we brag about our system all the time and about our turnout. We had the second highest turnout in the country for the mid-terms.