As several states enter critical phases in their legislative sessions, the debate for one of the most controversial election reforms continues to dominate headlines and legislative hearings. This year, more than 26 states introduced legislation to go above and beyond federal election law relating to voter ID, despite near consensus among voting rights advocates that it hurts the process far more than it helps. Last week, the hysteria around voter ID reached an all time high in six states, evoking public concern from advocates and citizens alike.
Notwithstanding recent broadsides by Bai, Brooks, and others -- the new precinct captains of cyberspace are in perpetual high five mode these days, celebrating the key role the internet is playing in the 2008 presidential campaigns. They feel the netroots have changed the game, sparking a revolution in how politics is played in this country. And that's true -- to a point.
In the last week, I've written twodiaries about America's rampant civic apathy, and the dangerous civic ignorance that flows from it -- as I feel that this is the true root cause of our increasingly dysfunctional democracy. And because it is rarely discussed in the public spotlight, and thus continues unabated.
