Posted on Saturday, 13th March 2021 by Dennis Damp
Print This PostMajor laws are often passed without our representatives actually knowing what’s in them. Recall, the speaker of the house’s comment when Obama Care Passed. She stated, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” This isn’t a one-sided issue, both parties suffer from this irrational behavior. Most major bills like the massive H.R. 1 “For the People Act of 2021” aren’t written by house members, they are compiled by think tanks and lobbyists on both sites, liberal and conservative. These lobbyists wine and dine our representatives; persuade them to wholeheartedly accept their proposals without reservations, then withhold their donations until they get what they want.
What’s Next!
Facts are facts, laws are laws, and never the twain shall meet. Bills have pleasant sounding names that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The, “For the Peoples Act,” and the recently passed COVID -19 relief bill titled, “The American Rescue Act.”
These titles are designed to sell the public, not on the substance of the bills, but on a desirable aspect that none can refuse. The American Rescue Plan is sending out checks to millions, helping those who most suffered during the pandemic, certainly the right thing to do. Most of the mainstream media hypes and pushes this limited misleading narrative; ignoring the fact that less than half of the 1.9 Trillion dollars of The American Rescue Act actually provides Covid relief, the remaining money is targeted to fund the party in power’s hidden agenda.
In the case of “H.R. 1391, The American Rescue act,” Forbes Magazine’s article titled, Is There Wasteful Spending In The New $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill?, spells out just where most of this money is actually going. “The Wall Street Journal editorial board estimated that only $825 billion was directly related to Covid-19 relief and $1 trillion was expansions of progressive programs, pork, and unrelated policy changes.” Others state that only 9% or 171 billion will be spent on immediate relief efforts. No republican voted for the bill.
Many will be surprised at what the “H.R. 1 For the People Act of 2021” voter rights legislation is targeting. I downloaded this 791-page monster and buried deep within, you will find unsettling facts and wonder just who our representative work for: themselves, the uber rich, and/or the large tech companies that now control all aspects of our daily lives. I provided a reference, section and page number, for HR-1 that you can use to read more about the line items listed below.
This bill will fundamentally change America as we know it if passed. I’m listing just some of the key changes to election law and you can decide for yourself if it is good or bad for society and America in general.
HR-1 “FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021”
- The federal government takes over control of elections from the states. Section 3, page 16 of the act.
- Requires automatic voter registration in all 50 states. Any person that provides information to a government agency including the Department of Motor Vehicles, public universities, or a social service agency would he registered to vote. Same day and online registrations are also mandated in the bill. Part 2 (Automtic Voter Registration), Section 1011, starting on page 46 of the act.
- States would not be allowed to institute voter ID laws and states with existing voter ID laws must conform to this new edic per section 2001, page 269.
- Mandates no-fault absentee ballots. Removes the requirement for witness signature or notarization requirement for absentee ballots. States must accept absentee ballots for up to 10 days after an election.
- Non-citizens that are automatically registered to vote per Section 1015 of the law through a government organizations, university, college, state government and social programs, can’t be prosecuted if they vote even though the law does state in various places that you must be eligible to register. Those who are automatically registered aren’t required to provide proof of citizenship. Per Section 1015 page 63 of the act, (Voter Protection & Security in Automatic Registration) anyone who is preregistered under The automatic registration of any individual or the fact that an individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship (including through automatic registration) under this part may not be used as evidence against that individual in any State or Federal law enforcement proceeding, and an individual’s lack of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by the individual’s testimony.”
- 16-year-olds will be allowed to pre register to vote – The amendment that would have allowed 16 year olds to vote was defeated by a vote of 125 to 302. However, the law does allow early registration at 16 per Part 10, Section 1094 page 96 of the Act, and these indiviudals will be automtically registers as noted above.
- Felons will be allowed to vote, page 21, line item 23.
- National mail in ballots are mandated without photo ID or any form of identification, Subtitle, 1, section 1621, starting on page 171 of the act.
- All states must accept any and all mailed ballots 10 days after election day if they are postmarked before or on election day.
- Colleges and universities must hire campus vote coordinators to encourage voter turnout per section 1901, starting on page 218 of the act.
- Voter drop boxes must be placed and available 24 hours a day for 45 days before an election for people to drop off absentee ballots. Per above, no-fault absentee ballots must be accepted up to 10 days after an election per section 1907, starting on page 249.
- States would no longer be able to redraw congressional districts. This would be delegated to independent commissions that are required to incorporate racial, ethnic, economic, and gender diversity in all voting districts per Section 241 stasrting on page 282 of the act.
- This bill will allow politicians to use funds from their campaign to pay for personal expenses per the Help America Run Acr, Section 5301, starting on page 636 pf HR-1.
- Ballot harvesting is promoted. A designated person could return absentee ballots to any drop-off point. There aren’t any limits on how many ballots a person could drop off.
- Supports statehood for the District of Columbia and territories per Section 2101 Section C and Section 2201 Section D of the law.
- Curbside voting is mandated, no state may prohibit this practice per section 1908, page 254 of the act.
- States would be required to get approval from the federal government before making any changes to voting rules.
I included links to the actual bills for you to do your own due diligence. What do you think? Only our representatives have the power to change the outcome and if they receive sufficient input from us, the ones they are suppose to serve, they may do the right thing.
Helpful Retirement Planning Tools
Request a 27 page Federal Retirement Report™ today.
A one hour session with a Certified Financial Planner is included.
- Retirement Planning For Federal Employees & Annuitant
- GS Pay Scales
- Budget Work Sheet
- Medicare Guide
- Social Security Guide
- Master Retiree Contact List (Important contact numbers and information)
- 2021 Leave and Schedule Chart (Use this chart to set target retirement dates.)
- Annuity Calculator (FREE Excel chart estimates annuity growth)
Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, medical procedures, and benefit information are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp
- FEHB / PSHB Open Season Online – Access & What it Offers - November 22nd, 2024
- IRMAAs and the Open Season Connection – Proceed with Caution - November 15th, 2024
- 2025 FEHB & PSHB Healthcare Plan Selection Guide - November 8th, 2024
- Medicare Advantage Plan Primer – What You Need to Know - November 2nd, 2024
- Consider Lower Cost FEHB Plans When Signing up for Medicare - October 25th, 2024
- 2025 COLAs and the Medicare & You Handbook - October 11th, 2024
- Fixed Income – Yields Decrease as Feds Reduce Rates - October 4th, 2024
- 2025 Health Care Premiums, Hold on to Your Hat! - September 27th, 2024
- 2025 FEHB & Medicare Plans – Changes on the Way - September 6th, 2024
- Enhancing Your Retirement Experience - One Day at a Time - August 23rd, 2024
- 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Record Now Available - August 8th, 2024
- Too Much too Soon & Cable TV Subscription Costs - July 26th, 2024
Posted in FINANCE / TIP, LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL, RETIREMENT CONCERNS | Comments (0)
Print This Post