To the editor:

Tragically, we can’t manage a pandemic — but we’re great at governing a democracy with a minority. 

For instance, majorities want single-payer universal health care, support Roe v. Wade, want tax fairness and know climate change isn’t a hoax. The majority voted against this president in 2016, and they consistently disapprove of his administration. 

Yet Republicans remain in power, advancing an unpopular agenda. How? Fear is a big factor, from past messaging about immigrants to today’s scare tactics regarding seizing our ventilators. Another big factor is disenfranchisement: Make it harder for the other side to vote — rationalized with baseless fear.

Why, for instance, does anyone have to register to vote? We have to thoroughly prove citizenship to get a driver’s license or Social Security number. That certainly ought to suffice as a verifiable voting database. What’s the purpose of separately registering, other than placing an obstacle in front of a potential voter? North Dakota doesn’t require voter registration — and they’re a red state. 

And why can’t all of us vote online or by mail? Why does one party consistently obstruct that? This ought to be today’s ultimate no-brainer, so why the pushback?

Our president, of all people, enlightened us. Mr. Trump was asked about the proposed expanded voter protections — namely, mail-in voting — in the big stimulus bill. “The things they had in there were crazy. … They had things — levels of voting that, if you ever agreed to it, you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”

So, there it is: an admission from the top Republican that they risk losing when too many voters show up. 

He was later asked about approving mail-in voting. “No, because I think a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting.” That’s a baseless fear. Twenty-two states currently permit it, and three states automatically send ballots to every voter. He added, “It shouldn’t be mail-in voting. It should be you go to a booth and you proudly display yourself.”

Yet, according to the Palm Beach Post, he and the first lady requested mail-in ballots for the upcoming Florida primary. 

Frank Pagano

Jay