Yes they did dodge bullets - at least some of them did. Thousands were killed by the Klan, which was started to suppress voting - which they did well enough to return the Democrats (the conservative party of the time) back into office. Of course if a freedman did get to the polls and show he could read and write, he could be whipped or branded for breaking a "Black Code" law (learning to read and write, congregating without a white man present, etc.) Things got especially bad after the Slaughter House cases and other civil rights cases allowed for states to determine rights.

The argument or point that those that died would laugh at today's efforts to suppress voting is somewhat embarrassing. It starts to approach...so if one is not faced with direct violence, then efforts to suppress are no big deal. In fact, I don't think they would laugh. I think they would be embarrassed and angry that they went through such hardships (and many died) and yet, 150 years later, the ability of citizens to vote is still being challenged/curtailed. It is the single most important right we have, yet we make it more difficult for some than others.

Throwing up road blocks is suppression. The fact that it may be no big deal for some does not mean it is simple for all. An article that illustrates the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands in Texas illustrates the issue.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/10/19/voter-id-texas-ju.../

Of course, any state that thinks military maneuvers are actually a plan for the US government to invade the state should probably have all of its voters suppressed. Talk about jumping the shark. The loonies finally have with that one.

Bottom line, you want voter ID - fine - completely free, 100% - no cost at all for the citizen. - completely paid for by the state. Provide a location in every town to register. And if you don't have the proper paperwork (e.g., birth certificate), someone with a proper ID can vouch for you. Otherwise we are creating, in many cases, insurmountable hurdles for many in response to the two (2) conviction of voter fraud in Texas from 2002 - 2011.

Really, show me one post I have made that has to do with going to the polls? All of my comments have had to do specifically, and exclusively, with registration (holding out the dig at the wackos in Texas). The reality - without registration one can not vote, so making it harder to register suppresses voting. In the end we both agree. 100% free and accessible in every town. And I am sure you agree in making accommodations for those without proper papers. Yea, you can find an idiot on one end or the other with an absurd idea - like the conservative that wants have a civics test as part of the right to vote.

Bottom line - make registration and, therefore voting easily accessible to all. If someone then declines to take advantage of the right to vote, their decision - but then they keep their mouth shut about how things are run.

I guess you actually said that the Democratic Party was the conservative party at the time so I responded to the inverse of your statement. Still my points are valid I think.

The Dems were the conservatives of the time - and were the pro-slavery/anti civil rights party - especially in the south where the ex-Confederate leaders were all democrats and took great (and extreme) measures for the next 100 years to exclude civic, civil, and educational opportunities for men they never wanted to be free in the first place.

But as Blake Griffin says, I'm not looking for a history lesson" - nor does it sound like either of us need one.

rpbobcat - I appreciate your concern. The majority of white collar workers I know probably would struggle with the basic citizenship test - late night TV has illustrated that point. But we also do not want a country where only the privileged/educated vote. Given the attempts (successful in many cases) by a political party of making it difficult for people to register, one can only imagine the manipulation the test would go through as folks use it to exclude, rather than qualify those to vote. One thong we can be sure, such a "poll test" will never come about.

cc-cat I agree 100%.
Its sad to say, but I think the vast majority of Americans couldn't pass the U.S. Citizenship Test.

I also agree that the privileged/educated shouldn't be the only people allowed vote.
But I also get upset when people vote in lock step, without any independent thought.

As far as manipulating a test to exclude people,that would concern me if states were allowed to handle the test.
That's why I said the test should be the U.S. Citizenship Test. That test could be scored electronically,like any standardized test.

But,there's also no question, ain't gonna happen.