Why oh why North Carolina? Why do you send me on this roller coaster of success and disappointment? What is the root of the oppressive conservatism we witnessed in recent days? Why do elected officials across the state and on both sides of the isle seem to simultaneously laud and laugh at the democratic process?
These questions are on my mind at the close of the 2011-2012 session. This session, our most extreme elected officials seemed to carry the day. They managed to pass a laughable budget, cut deals to ram through a hurried fracking bill, and significantly weakened the Racial Justice Act. Despite a governor who stood firmly in the path of ultra-conservatives, the Senate’s veto proof Republican majority and strong contingent in the House bulldozed their way to the finish line.
The fate of too many key pieces of legislation depended on the intestinal fortitude of a handful of conservative Democrats in the NC House. On of those was my own Representative, William Brisson. I met with him in his office back in May. I am deeply saddened that during the session Rep. Brisson voted FOR discrimination, AGAINST the environment and AGAINST a better funded public education system. Other legislators also seemed to vote against the desires of their constituents or even their own earlier policy stances. For example, a few weeks ago I talked extensively with the board of elections in one Southeastern NC county. They were by far the most progressive thinking board I have encountered during Democracy Summer supportive of expanding early voting and releasing $4 million on federal funds to make elections run smoothly. Ironically, their representative championed the ultra-conservative agenda in their name!
Even more upsetting was the abuse of the legislative process we saw this session – midnight meetings, squelching much needed debate, kicking constituents off the second floor of the legislative building. Wow. During my internship, I’ve definitely witnessed the ugly side of politics.
But that serves as even more motivation for me to put forth my best efforts to get people registered to vote and to inform voters. The bottom line is: We need elected officials who represent us!
Luckily, the week came to an end much like many difficult or challenging times during life. . . with a ray of hope. The people of North Carolina successfully fought off new Voter ID and other voter suppression measures! That’s a major victory – crucial for the general election in November. Every flyer handed out, every phone call made, every conversation with an elected official (well, with a few notable exceptions) all seams worthwhile. In the face of maddening opposition and disappointment, the people of North Carolina were also triumphant. I’m so happy just to have been a small part of that effort.
Clarence Franklin
Fayetteville Team
Leave A Comment