Most people know the story: Moments after the Constitutional Convention ended in 1787, Ben Franklin walked out of Independent Hall and was approached by a woman. The woman asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a monarchy or a republic?”
Franklin replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
The account is quoted everywhere from the classroom to the Halls of Congress. The message is simple: A form of government that is responsive to the people can be easily lost if the people become complacent.
Dr. James Rex, National Chair of The Alliance Party, joins host T.J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss the rapid emergence of this new political party. Dr. Rex also describes the philosophical underpinnings of the party that he hopes will distinguish it from its peers.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.
After a string of recent successes, advocates for improving the fairness of elections and expanding access to voting amid the coronavirus pandemic have suffered three defeats in recent days.
Lawrence Goldstone is the author of numerous books and articles on Constitutional Law, most recently “On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights.” Find out more at www.lawrencegoldstone.com.
This is a horrific time for our country and a time of deep reflection for me.
As a child of the 60’s, it is almost incomprehensible to fathom that we are experiencing a moment that is eerily similar to what I lived through fifty year ago on May 4, 1970.
In recent weeks, the brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, in addition to so many others, have shaken our nation to the core.
These tragic circumstances make it clear, yet again, that systemic discrimination and unjust racial disparities continue to plague our country.
As the fight continues across the country to expand safe and secure options for voters to participate in the 2020 elections, 5 nonpartisan organizations collaborated to put on a virtual rally to bolster the cause.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum, and was republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.
Straight-ticket voting won't be returning to Texas now that a federal judge has rejected an effort by Democrats to maintain the practice.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum, and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.
Progressive groups may use the courts to pursue even more wide-open absentee balloting in Missouri this year.
It was brought to the attention of the IVN editorial team that Facebook had labeled a recent quote posted on the IVN Page from US President Abraham Lincoln as “false information.” The fact check bewildered us given the nature of the quote and to whom it was attributed.
This evening we talk with Chad Peace, legal advisor for the Independent Voter Project. The Independent Voter Project (IVP) is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization that seeks to re-engage nonpartisan voters and promote nonpartisan election reform through initiatives, litigation, and voter education. IVP works with organizations around the country to reduce the institutional barriers that limit electoral competition and restrict the nonpartisan right to vote, thus insulating the two major parties from competition.