From time to time, it is nice to get to know some of the DC Authors who make our website a place of fresh ideas. A long time DC Author who has a lot in common with me is Steve Schneider. Steve writes from his home in Hollywood, Florida.
You can find all of Steve’s articles at his DC Author profile page. Enjoy the interview!
How have you enjoyed your time as an author at Democracy Chronicles?
Yes. I like what Democracy Chronicles is doing. It’s an important voice because you publish articles about the status of democracy and elections in the United States and around the world. You also give voice to writers who may not be big names or have major followings. So, I say, there is always room for more diversity of expression if a free press is truly free.
What have you gained from working with DC and myself?
A bit of confidence writing. Sometimes I feel I have written something that reads well and makes sense. Other times, I’m not so sure. Seeing my stuff in print, in a publication where I truly feel comfortable, motivates me to continue writing.
Do you have advice for other writers like yourself?
I agree with Jack Jones, another Democracy Chronicles author, who said people should write about topics they feel passionately about. Over time, though, I want to expand my reach as a writer, to write stuff that may be outside of my comfort zone. I did that, in fact, with an article titled “Tolerance for All is a Sane Covid Policy“, which ran at What’s Going On, my free Substack newsletter. You also published it at Democracy Chronicles.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and how you came to be interested in politics?
My mother cared about progressive or liberal politics. She also had newspapers delivered to our apartment. I read them in Florida and New York, where we lived at different times.
And not too long after we moved to South Florida, in 1966, a Democratic politician who was considered liberal at that time ran for governor. His name was Robert King High. He was a mayor of a neighboring community. The Sunshine State was blue then, but a Republican named Claude Kirk defeated Robert King High, at least in part with the help of Florida Democrats who were not liberal. I was too young to grasp details, but I remember we were riding past North Miami Beach City Hall when we learned that a good guy had lost. I felt bad.
You can learn more about Robert King High from his Wikipedia page. They don’t make politicians like him these days; not too many of them, anyway.
What is the state of democracy where you live?
Not good. Republicans have total control of our state government. And they use their power to tell localities what they can and can’t do. To top it all off, our governor, Ron DeSantis, wants the GOP-dominated state Legislature to create and fund an Election Integrity Police Force. DeSantis bowed to MAGA pressure even though he has bragged about how well-run and honest elections are here.
What are the best aspects of elections in your area?
My governor, Ron DeSantis, correctly notes that Florida counts mail-in ballots that are turned in early before election day. That way we usually get out results fast, which cuts down on confusion and allegations of rigging.
Are voters in your area educated about their options ahead of election day?
I am not sure how to answer this question. But here is a good thing that my former state House representative is doing. Shevrin Jones now serves a nearby district in the state Senate. You can read about it in this article titled, “Shevrin Jones launches ‘Operation BlackOut’ to boost mail-in voting among Black, Brown Floridians” or vusit the website of Operation BlackOut – Black Out the Vote. The point of Operation BlackOut is to do more than just register voters. We also need to “educate” people once they are registered.
Do the voters feel connected to democracy and the election process?
I can’t speak for other people. But I’ll answer this question with another question or two. How many people don’t register to vote? How many people who register to vote participate regularly?
Your readers should also know that Florida voters agreed to amend our Constitution to let former felons — returning citizens — register and vote. But the state sued, and a Republican-controlled federal court stopped this progressive action. Fortunately, we’ve got an organization doing great work to make sure that returning citizens feel connected to our democracy and election process. You can learn more about the group at the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition website.
Do you think elections run better now than they used to be?
One thought comes to mind when I think about then and now. I don’t remember hearing about long lines when I was younger. Now, though, it’s commonplace to read about voters waiting in lines for hours to vote. Of course, in Georgia, it is now illegal to give water to people who are waiting in line.
So, I’m sure we have made progress in some technical areas, but the old-fashioned need to control at least some voters continues to this day.
What is the biggest change to elections you would like to see? Is it money politics reform, voter access, redistricting, etc.?
All of the above, although I don’t think we will get money out of politics in the years I have left before I exit stage left. So, voter access and redistricting seem to be more attainable reforms.
Is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to mention?
Regular folk are knocking on doors during Democracy Day events in my area to educate voters about the upcoming election process and changes in the law. Some volunteers are also making phone calls. Changing laws mean voters who are busy with family, work, and the pandemic need their neighbors to share information with them. Democracy is lots of work, that’s for sure. You can learn more about Democracy Day events at their website. Where I live, my state House representative, Marie Woodson, is one of the people coordinating the pro-democracy activities.
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