How Important is your Right to Vote?

from The Public Square - PodCast with David Zanotti Hosted by David Zanotti

How important is your right to vote? Let’s imagine you did not get to vote on who your US Senators would be. The Constitution provides that every state gets two Senators no matter how large or small. But let’s say that you didn’t get to vote on them. Let’s say a private club or corporation appointed them. How would you feel about the US Senate? Would you believe Senators were looking out for you? My guess is you probably don’t feel much like that right now. After all the US Senate is the most privileged club in America. Those 100 members have a lifestyle, income and retirement that is way beyond most of our reach. But at least we get to vote on who gets there. It didn’t used to be that way. Up until the early 1900’s US Senators were elected by State Legislators. That’s right – the direct election of the Senate was a late amendment to the Constitution. It came about largely because of the efforts of Teddy Roosevelt and the reformers that fought for the right of ballot initiatives and referenda. Prior to Teddy and his friends, you could not propose a state constitutional amendment by petition or fight to repeal a bad law or recall a corrupt politician. Fortunately Teddy and his friend charged that hill and won the battle for more ballot access – including the right to vote for the US Senate.