Opinion: GOP doesn’t even want to talk about voting rights

The Republicans in the U.S. Senate have killed the proposed voting rights bill.

They did not turn down the actual bill. They turned down the opportunity for the Senate to debate the bill, to just talk about the bill. This is a dark moment for the Senate and a dark moment for democracy. Voting rights are fundamental to our democracy. Compromises were offered and the Republicans turned down those compromises and even the ability to discuss them. This was a bald faced exercise of power on the part of the Republicans. Shameful.

Mike Reardon
Fallbrook

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Re the Senate vote to debate the “For the people act.” Actions speak louder than words; elected Republicans are against the people

Joe West
Encinitas

Our democracy is in danger. Right now, the Senate is split evenly in half, but the 50 Democratic senators represent 41.5 million more people than the 50 Republican senators. By 2040, if population trends continue, 70% of the population will be represented by just 30 Senators.

In a democracy, the majority rules. In a fascist/authoritarian state, the minority rules. What the GOP is doing is manipulating the vote, marginalizing the voting power of those aligned against them by enacting laws that restrict voting access.

If this is allowed to continue, there will be no freedom. Independent thought will not be allowed. We will be slaves, prisoners living with no hope of beneficial change or innovation, destined to keep present practices or return to past ones.

Anthony Kopec
Escondido