The Ferguson protesters are a lot like our Founding Fathers:

[riqster]

http://bluntandcranky.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/the-ferguson-protesters-are-a-lot-like-our-founding-fathers/

They are upset about oppression, a non-responsive and discriminatory government, and taxation without representation. Yes, that is correct. The good people of Ferguson we see out there picketing and marching may not be dressed like, say, George Washington, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson; but their complaints are eerily like the ones identified in the Declaration of Independence.

Here is a good article on the matter. Ferguson is making up for revenue shortfalls by levying burdensome taxes and fees upon the populace; said charges not having the consent of the governed:

Traffic fines are the St. Louis suburb’s second-largest source of revenue and just about the only one that is growing appreciably. Municipal court fines, most of which arise from motor vehicle violations, accounted for 21 percent of general fund revenue and at $2.63 million last year, were the equivalent of more than 81 percent of police salaries before overtime.

And the fees are applied in a discriminatory manner, much like what King George did back in the 1770’s:

“If you’re black, they’re going to stop you,” the study quoted one traffic defendant as saying.

In 2013, 86 percent of all Ferguson police traffic stops involved black drivers, the largest share since the Missouri Attorney General’s Office began tracking the data in 2000. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, the city is 63 percent black and 34 percent white.

Got it? The local government is a minority oppressing the majority, and doing so via corrupt, discriminatory and violent means. Just like what sparked the American Revolution. The differences are minor when compared with the similarities.

And just like the American colonists, the people of Ferguson aren’t asking for anything unreasonable: to be treated fairly, have their rights respected, and to have a voice in how they are taxed by the government. Unfortunately, the local administration is likewise resembling its historical counterpart and therefore refusing to change its corrupt and mendacious ways. No way this is gonna end well.

If you repeat the mistakes of the past, you’ll repeat the consequences of those past mistakes. There may not be many powdered wigs to be seen on the streets of Ferguson: but then, when s*** was getting real back in 1776, not many of the American Revolutionaries were wearing them out in the streets, either.

Source info at the link.

[HooptieWagon]

1. One big difference.

The founding fathers weren't represented in Parliment by law. Ferguson residents aren't represented because so few voted. If they voted, they could easily select their own Mayor, hold majority of City Council, majority of School Board, and fire the Police Chief.

[riqster]

2. Actually, it is not easy for locals to vote.

Per the lone Black councilwoman, POC in Ferguson are subject to insidious and systematic disenfranchisement due to economic discrimination. So their participation is not what one would wish.

I was pleased to see a voter registration table there in the news this week: but until the majority in Ferguson can get to the polls in proportionate numbers, the status quo will be hard to change.

[HooptieWagon]

3. I agree its not easy...

but not easy =/ being prohibited from representation. They need to get registered, and fight for their right to vote. Probably need some legal assistance to do so.

[riqster]

4. This is how disenfranchisement is done.

"It's not illegal for them to vote", we hear; or, "no one is stopping them from casting ballots". Both are technically true, but false in practice.

For just one example: working parents. By the time they get done at the job (or jobs) and feed the kids, etc., it can be very difficult to get out and vote. Especially if your area has a small number of polling locations and voting machines (this was part of the 2004 scam in Ohio). A very popular tactic among Teapubbie vote suppressors.

Add to that the constant din of "it's hopeless, why bother when you have so much more important work to do, nothing will change anyway" messages, and the manifold other methods of disenfranchisement, and it is easy to see why the participation rates are so low. Agreed, they need help; but to say "if they voted..." displays a lack of awareness of how the new version of Jim Crow works.

[HooptieWagon]

5. I realize that.

But with organization, counter-measures can be taken. Get them absentee ballots. Set up a daycare center in a church so parents can wait in lines at polls without worrying about kids. Transportation to the polls- church buses. Set up water and snack stations near the polls. Helping them take control over their lives isn't easy, but its nowhere near impossible. Apathy and giving up is what got them where they are... reverse the course.

[riqster]

6. Agreed!

[Nye Bevan]

7. We should have voting by mail everywhere (nt)

[riqster]

10. Yep. It's how I vote.

A bit of extra effort in Ohio, but well worth it.

[Nye Bevan]

18. Me too.

Technically we don't have it here in CT but anyone can request an absentee ballot by stating that they expect to be out of town on the day of the election, and can then vote by mail at their leisure. Of course if your "plans change" and you don't end up being out of town, nobody prosecutes you. I see it as a harmless white lie.

[riqster]

24. Ohio no longer requires a reason. That took years to push through.

But it is very helpful.

[uponit7771]

27. +1

[jwirr]

15. Besides investigating Mr. Brown's death I hope someone looks into the issue of voting. St. Louis,

the city, is the home of some very big colleges with sociology departments. Where are they? This is the main issue not only in Ferguson MO but in many areas that have majority minority populations. It is easy to say they just do not vote - now tell us why and what can be done about it?


I would be curious to know who this district voted for in 2008 in the presidential election. Did this district vote for Obama?

[riqster]

23. The reasons why are well known.

Economic disenfranchisement: POC have to hustle so hard just to stay afloat, it's almost impossible to take time to vote.

Jim Crow for the new century.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. We vote by mail. Nothing could be easier. Any State could do it.

The idea gets absolutely no traction on DU. I've been harping about it since 2010.

[riqster]

21. And it is a good idea.

Hard to make it happen when so many election industry lobbyists are buying the applicable "representatives", though.

We did manage to get no questions asked absentee balloting enacted a few years back. That is hipping more people to the joys of voting by mail.

[VanGoghRocks]

8. Another big difference: roughly 1/3 of British colonists supported remaining part of the

British Empire and supported the crown. Does anyone really think that 1/3 of Ferguson supports its elected leadership and their mobile death squads????

Oh yeah, how many of Ferguson's residents have been disenfranchised, i.e., permanently barred from voting, due to ginned-up felony convictions?

The Mayor and City Council are fucking white and the city is 75% minority? What the fuck????

[riqster]

12. Good point.

[HooptieWagon]

17. Actually, 1/3 of Ferguson is white,

and no doubt they support the status quo. If only 6% of the 2/3 majority minority population votes, then the 1/3 will continue to control power. Increase that 6% to 50%, and the oppressed now are in control.
Upthread it was accused that that is simplistic. Wrong. It is not easy, have to fight, but its not an impossible fight. Blacks in the deep south fought for their right to vote, with a little help. Blacks in Ferguson are capable of doing it too.

[VanGoghRocks]

20. Wow, thank you. I did not know that Ferguson is 1/3 white (although in retrospect I

should have). I'm going to leave my comment up for educational purposes. But your original point now has a bit more heft.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. MO law does not permanently bar felons from voting. Voting rights are restored after time is

served and probation or parole completed. I assume there is a process to it, but it is not like Florida which takes the right to vote from felons forever. So this is another area where some organization might increase participation, helping those who have served their sentence get registered again or for the first time.

[VanGoghRocks]

22. Good to know. One thing I've learned (but have to keep relearning) is that I should stop and

reflect before popping off about MO stuff about which I know nothing

I'm going to leave my comment up, but your comment is VERY IMPORTANT for people to know.

Thanks for correcting me on this.

[riqster]

25. True, but one point in addition:

The disproportionate prosecution of POC means that more of them are sidelined due to felony convictions. Local reform measures need to look at the entire life cycle in addition to the post-conviction portion.

[Lee-Lee]

9. A simple step to changing this is to change the law in Missouri about traffic fine money

Here in NC this was a problem many years ago, with small towns setting up speed traps to raise money.

The legislature made a simple change. If you get a ticket and pay a fine, not a dime goes to the city, town or county no matter who wrote the ticket. It all goes into state managed funds.

Suddenly traffic law enforcement was all about safety again.

Missouri legislators could fix this problem with one simple change to law, if they want to stand up to the municipalities and all the politicians in them at the local level.

Pay for local government with sales and property taxes.

[riqster]

13. Good idea!

[VanGoghRocks]

11. Bravo! I salute the bravery and fortitude of the Ferguson Resistance!

[riqster]

14. Well said!

[riqster]

26. A reply from a reader at the blog:

Fargles on August 20, 2014 at 4:45 pm
"You negroids have some strange heroes. Oj, Rodney king, the cigar bandit. No wonder the unemployment and vient crime rates are so high among your people. At least I don’t have to pay to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes… It’s being broadcast live in Ferguson!
"

Yep, guess he told me, huh?