Customer Reviews

Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overton tells us in plain language how the working class and the poor are being eliminated from the political process. Interestingly, he is able to cast the old stories of poll taxes and lynchings in a 21st century surround-sound format. Using real-life examples from the lives of real people, Overton illustrates how certain people are stealing the country right from under our own noses. I certainly believe the Supreme Court could have benefitted greatly from reading his "how to rig an election" chapter before deciding the recent Texas gerrymandering case. Spencer's point ... Voters should choose politicians, politicians should not be choosing the voters!!!!

His parallel of this country's voting system to the "matrix" is also quite brilliant. If some of the new restrictions that Overton warns us about takes place, we will need the powers of the Oracle, Neo, Morpheus, and Trinty just to be able to cast a vote (and more importantly make it count). If you are serious about voting rights or if you just want to be able to predict the outcomes of the 2006 mid term elections, this book is a must read. I highly recommend it to all audiences.

Mr. Overton's insightful, eye-opening presentation of critical and often overlooked problems with America's system of voting and democratic representation is a must-read for political science students, law students, and, quite frankly, anyone who votes (and wants his or her vote to count). Stealing Democracy is comprehensible, elegant, and highly stimulating.

I highly recommend this powerful book! American voters are inundated with superficial corporate media reports that tap dances across the surface of complex issues like the health of American democracy, our elections and immigration.

Spencer Overton's highly readable "Stealing Democracy" explores what is really going on behind the curtains of our American democracy in our local communities, the state and national level. And it is chilling. But it is the kind of frank discussion that the American public needs to read so that we will be in a better position to get involved as citizens and exert a truer ownership over our own government that has so much daily influence on our lives.

I particularly appreciated how Professor Overton looks back at the historical roots of voter suppression in our American political system dating back to the early 1800s. The more things change, the more they stay the same: He examines gerry-mandering, the English-only Movement, voter registration purging, Voter ID legislation, and all the other ways that politicians continue to try to discourage those people that aren't inclined to vote for them to stay home on Election Day.

Professor Overton also looks at the chilling ways in which the venerable Voting Rights Act of 1965 is currently under attack by the right wing.

Today it is obvious to whomever is paying attention that there is a sustained effort to turn the clock way back on voter enfranchisement for the elderly, the poor, people of color and the handicapped.

Enlighten yourself on the new politics of voter suppression and how we can stop it: Read this book and recommend it to your friends as well!

Voting in national elections has become a hot topic in the last two national elections, especially since the common use of computerized voting machines, particularly those without paper receipts. The democratic vote is vital to the health of the nation and it behooves every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, to be well informed, insuring the security of a vital process in choosing our elected officials. In Stealing Democracy, Overton reveals some of the current problems in the voting "matrix" in an effort to stimulate discussion and action on the part of concerned citizens: "In our closely divided political environment, even an obscure election rule in a single state can determine who sits in the White House or which party controls Congress."

The author emphasizes, and rightly so, that there is no great conspiracy orchestrated by a few. Rather, there is a "collection of ever-changing rules and practices employed... that shape who goes to the polls and which votes are counted." The voting process is affected by election laws, secretaries of state, election commissioners, county election boards, poll challenges and poll workers, not to mention budgetary constraints, fraud prevention and "state's rights". With the potential for abuse inherent in bureaucracy, "America's founders divided government power among executive, legislative and judicial branches in order to prevent abuses."

Each chapter addresses different aspects of the complex voting matrix at this point in our history: Chapter One questions who is guarding the gates of our democracy and who is in charge of redrawing district boundaries; Chapter Two speaks to local control of elections and how available monies affect the democratic process; Chapter Three takes on the elephant in the living room, whether race still matters in America; Chapter Four discusses the critical importance of the federal Voting Rights Act and how it protects citizens against the discriminatory legislation of state and local politicians; Chapter Five considers all aspects of making voting available to all citizens, with attention to bilingual issues; and Chapter Six tackles "an emerging anti-fraud movement that proposes... voter-ID requirements that threaten to exclude more legitimate voters than fraudulent ones."

The concluding chapter takes these issues to the people, where the discussion belongs, average Americans from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds and their views on potential reforms in the community. A tall order for a small book, but Overton injects much-needed clarity into a subject that becomes more critical with each election. There are no easy answers and reform is slow, but in the words of Thom Hartmann (What Would Jefferson Do?): "Systematic change never happens from the top down: it's always from the bottom up." Luan Gaines/2006.

This book provides so much insight into some serious problems facing our democracy. Overton helps the reader understand what's really going on at the polls, as well as before you get there and after you leave - he explains how politicians of both parties are using redistricting, Voter ID, English-only ballots, felon disenfranchisement, voter purges, and other manipulative and restrictive devices to essentially shield themselves from true competition on the merits of their ideas and policies. They are using this 'matrix' of tricks to swing elections in their favor. I loved the book because not only did I learn a lot about the serious flaws with our election process -- which are not front and center in the press --but Overton actually proposes some solutions that could really work. Plus, even though I've never really been politically active, after reading this book and the stories of "activists" who are regular people, I'm inspired to get involved in my community to try to improve the political process. Perhaps most surprising, even though the book has such an important subject, it's actually easy to read, and at times very funny. (Although at times you may also become angry and frustrated as you learn about the true status quo in politics.) Trying to help this country realize the true dream of America is an important form of patriotism. Spencer Overton has gone above and beyond his civic duty with this wonderful book. I recommend it very, very highly.

Wow, is what first comes to mind upon finishing this book. STEALING DEMOCRACY is an engaging and intriguing read that discusses how politicians and others create voting obstacles so the "preferred party" is at an advantage in driving the ballots. The author, Spencer Overton, was not a dry lecturer, as can happen with this subject, but did a clever job of pulling you, the reader, in and challenging your thoughts on the democracy of voting. He did a wonderful job at addressing speculations/controversies and backing it up with facts which causes you to look a little more critically at politicians and even reporters.

This provocative book will definitely alter discussion at the office water cooler, social gathering and even at the fitness gym. This will then make others aware of the issue to help restore democracy in America.

So I suggest grab this book now and it is ok if you get a little angry because then maybe you will feel inclined to write your elected officials and demand an end to this insanity.

"Stealing Democracy" by Spencer Overton was an engaging and eye-opening read. It provocatively pulls back the curtain on the "democratic" process in America and reveals a system that is concerned not so much with the inclusion of Americans in the electoral process as it is with the selective exclusion of many Americans' voices to benefit the incumbency of party politicians-- both democratic and republican. Professor Overton's clever analysis draws the reader in with telling anecdotal evidence of how-- sometimes purposefully and sometimes unwittingly-- the rules and regulations concerning the electoral process in this nation are actually stifling full voter participation; the concept of "one person , one vote," and, indeed, the ideals of our republican form of government (with elected officials both responsive and responsible to the will of the people) are revealed as illusory. Absorbing and entertaining, "Stealing Democracy" gives a balanced account of the political sins inherent in the system while avoiding the sanctimony and dry academic tones which the subject might otherwise evoke. It is a well-written and thought -provoking insight into an oft-overlooked topic.

If the 2000 election wasn't a wake up call, this book, 'Stealing Democracy' is. It is a MUST READ for all responsible citizens, on both sides, who really want and mean for their votes and the votes of their fellow countrymen to count. 'Stealing Democracy' is a powerful account of the manipulation that takes place in the American electoral process. How regulations are used to oppress voting, not strengthen it. Overton not only touches at the heart of a lot of the problems facing today's electoral process, he offers sound direction towards solving those problems. 'Stealing Democracy' is a well-written, thought-provoking read, and I would recommend it to everyone who believes and would strive for a true freely governed America. You know, the one talked about in our Constitution.

Oreese

Informative, provocative and educational. Stealing Democracy is a must read not only for the academic and political community, but for the average person as well. I initially thought the book would be highly academic, but was very glad to know that the average person will have no problem understanding and digesting the subject matter.

Overton does a great job of outlining and examining each issue along with presenting the information in a non-partisan fashion. The most fascinating aspect is that he examines obscure political issues that the average person takes for granted and sheds new light on their implications. Moreover, he does a great job of reveling that while overt voter suppression is gone even greater, more sinister covert voter suppression is still around.

Hopefully politicians and citizens alike will have serious debate on why we should have a system that yields too many extreme rules and regulations concerning a simple fundamental right of every citizen - voting.

An easy to read, interesting perspective on the ails of modern voting. Overton's book draws comparisons that are relatable and relevant to the current issues plaguing partisan politics. This book does a great job of piecing together the progression of voting legislation to provide a complete historical picture. This book definitely makes you think about the decision makers and the decisions being made.