Post #75 - Fred Bates - November 7, 2022
I refuse to give legitimacy to a corrupt system of government by casting my vote
I will not be voting in the 2022 midterm elections just as I have not voted in any elections since 2000. It is my belief that public corruption has deprived government of its legitimacy at every level. Government officials, both Democrats and Republicans, only care about power. They will try and obtain power at any cost. It's the reason candidates from both parties are campaigning right now begging for your vote. But once elected, they will forget all of the promises they made during their campaigns. They care more about their personal ambitions than citizens.
As a part of their campaign strategy, many Democrats and Republicans are now accusing each other of being a threat to democracy. The ridiculous claim of the Democrats seems to focus on Trump and his supporters, referred to as MAGA extremists, Fascists, and election deniers. It is the Democrats that have posed the greater threat to democracy. Any time you demonize a group of people for exercising their absolute right to support and vote for the candidate of their choice, cancel their right to free speech, and deprive them of their ability to earn a living simply because of the way they voted, you are a grave threat to democracy. This is precisely what Democrats and their sycophants in the media have done to Trump supporters and conservatives. Democrats' demonization of parents for caring about their kids' education, their fascination for criminals and hatred for police, their open border policies, their lack of regard for secure elections, and their general disregard for the rule of law undermine democracy as well. But their blatant hypocrisy should not be overlooked. They call Trump and his supporters election deniers as they obsess with January 6th, even though, they refuse to accept that Trump was legitimately elected in 2016. To me it's not a close call as to who threatens democracy the most. Free speech and the right to vote is the essence of democracy. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not endorsing the Republican Party. I don't endorse politicians or a political party. I only endorse policies that I believe are the best for our society whether they come from Democrats or Republicans. While I think most Republican elected officials are not as extreme as Democrats, they are not the great defenders of democracy that they claim to be. They sure do talk a good game. My position is and always will be that you have the right to vote for the candidates of your choice. I will not criticize you or condemn you for your choices. Though, I might scratch my head in bewilderment.
To me it is clear that the Republican Party at this time is better situated to address the issues that seems to be at the top of people's mind, inflation and the economy, crime and public safety, illegal immigration, and education. These issues are of the utmost importance for a prosperous democratic society. However, I will respect your opinion if you think that Democrats will do a better job than Republicans in fixing the problems we face. You should vote your conscience.
My primary reason for not voting is not because I have a thing against voting. Not voting is my form of non-violent protest against the racist and discriminatory manner in which I have been treated by San Jose city officials, the US District Court in San Jose, and the 9th Court of Appeals; and the refusal of Congress and other authorities with the responsibility of oversight to do anything about it. This entire blog has been devoted to exposing the appalling conduct of these officials during litigation of three federal lawsuits I filed against the City of San Jose for discrimination based on my race and disability. I'm black/African American. So far, I have not been able to get any government officials at any level to open an investigation into my allegations that these officials committed several public corruption crimes, many of them felonies. Here are some of the officials I have made formal complaints to, all to no avail: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Jerry Nadler, former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Dianne Feinstein, VP and former Senator Kamala Harris, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Inspector General Michael Horowitz, former Attorney General William Barr, Chief Justice John Roberts, former Chief Judge of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Sidney R. Thomas, Santa Clara County California District Attorney Jeff Rosen, and the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. This, however, is not a complete list of all the officials I have made complaints to regarding the misconduct of San Jose city officials and the federal courts.
As you can see, the officials that have failed to take action on my complaints are Democrats and Republicans. Not a single one has had the integrity or courage to provide oversight of the corrupt 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the US District Court in San Jose for their egregious misconduct that has undermined democracy, and the rule of law. This is governmental corruption at its worst. Even though I believe it will benefit this country greatly if Republicans take back Congress, it will not save democracy. Democracy simply cannot flourish if our judiciary operate with no accountability and refuses to adhere to the rule of law and precedent. I acknowledge that democracy cannot exist without an independent judiciary. But democracy requires a balance between independence and oversight that provides accountability. This principle applies to all three branches of government. So far, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the US District Court in San Jose have treated me with the same lack of regard for my constitutional rights as Bull Connor did for black voting rights activists in Birmingham in 1963. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the US District Court have engaged in misconduct with impunity. I refuse to give legitimacy to a corrupt system of government by casting my vote. Below are links to some of my other blogs that provide details about the misconduct of San Jose city officials and the federal courts:
