by Vanessa Haugh, Online Organizing Fellow, Energy Action Coalition
Earlier this month, my home state of North Carolina succesfully fought off stricter voting laws that would require a government photo ID to vote. It was a relief. The legislature had failed to override Governor Perdue's veto of the bill, and an onslaught of bills that would make voting more difficult for thousands of people failed to pass too. Other states are facing there own battles against voter ID laws. In 2011 and 2012, 11 states passed voter ID laws. Looking at this trend, I'm reminded that that power elite will continually do what it takes to gain more power.
President Obama kicked off his re-election campaign in Columbus, Ohio this weekend... coincidence? I think not. He is acknowledging the youth vote that won him the election, starting with the largest University in one of the most important swing states. Two main messages were clear: “I believe in you. I’m asking you to keep believing in me.” & “Corporations are not people.”
.. and for the most part, WE AGREE. Corporations are not people. Students are outraged that student debt has reached 1 TRILLION DOLLARS in a society plagued with unemployment and where corporations get bailed out to keep financing decisions that only benefit them.