#yellopain

[the-sacred-now]

I am feeling EDUCATED, I am feeling REMINDED, I am feeling INSPIRED

[sprmint-bkgsoda]

HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS

Listen to this. @YelloPain from Dayton, OH

This is what I tell everyone that claims voting doesn’t matter. And those that bitch about Obama not helping us.

If you didn’t vote blue in the midterms in 2010 and 2014, you helped get Trump and McConnell into office. McConnell, John Boehner and Paul Ryan stopped Obama in his tracks.

DEMS MUST VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION.

Because Republicans surely do.

[goodblacknews]

Brilliant breakdown of WHY YOUR VOTE COUNTS - don’t let the title fool you! Please watch and share! YelloPain - My Vote Dont Count 🤷 

[freshthoughts2020]

J.Harry on Apple Music

Plus your entire music library on all your devices.

[slipmethevicxdin]

YelloPain - My Vote Don't Count

[demet3r]

So, is anyone else (in the US) realizing that they have to re-teach themselves how government terms works?

Because I watched YelloPain's "My Vote Don't Count" (TW: flashing lights and dizzying visual effects) and then realized I’ve forgotten SO MUCH since high school.

BUT! To recap what I've re-learned so far*:

EXECUTIVE BRANCH - these people say "yes" or "no" to laws, but don't actually write them.

Mayor

Depends on the city, so you'll have to search "Mayor of ______ term limit" to find out yours specifically.

Governor

Depends on the state constitution, but for the most part, a lot of them have terms that are limited by a number of years, but the number of terms that a person can hold office is where it gets tricky. Some states have laws against consecutive terms, but people can then run again after a few years. Some states have actually repealed their state's term limits, so some of them have no limit at all for how long they can hold office! Again, you'll have to search "Governor of ________ term limit" to find yours specifically.

Vice President

Unlimited four-term terms as long as they run and win

Cabinet (aka, Presidential Advisors)

Nominated by the President and approved by the majority of the Senate. They are at the mercy of the President or they can be impeached by the House of Representatives and trialed by the Senate.

President

Limited to a total of two four-year terms. However, if someone is appointed President via succession, that can happen indefinitely, but would definitely look sketchy if that kept happening...

JUDICIAL BRANCH - these people put passed laws into practice for each situation presented to them. The information below is for federal courts (e.g., District Courts, Court of Appeals/Circuit Courts, and Supreme Court) and does not necessarily include subject-specific courts such as taxes, immigration, veteran affairs, armed forces, etc.

Federal judges are appointed by the President and are vetted by the Senate. The Supreme Court Justices, however, also have to go through the Senate Judiciary Committee before they can be finalized by the full Senate. 

Federal judges are also lifelong appointments unless they are impeached by the House of Representatives and then taken to trial by the Senate. Or, you know, they resign, retire, or die. 

Also, when a federal judge retires, their final salary is provided to them for the rest of their lives plus whatever the increase in the price of living is. I'm curious to know how many retired federal judges there are currently...

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH - THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THE LAWS. IF WE DON'T WANT THESE BIGOTED LAWS TO GET PASSED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IN THE FIRST PLACE WE HAVE TO NIP IT IN THE FUCKING BUD BY VOTING THESE PEOPLE OUT OH MY GOD.

*ahem*

Congress, which is split into the upper chamber (Senate) and the lower chamber (House of Representatives). I'm also realizing that I need to do more research on what all the moving parts of Congress are, but focusing on term limits:

Senate

Unlimited six-year terms and can be appointed by direct election or Governor-appointed if there is a vacancy that needs to be filled. HOWEVER, terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the seats are up for election every TWO YEARS.

House of Representatives

Unlimited two-year terms

So basically, yes, the President is important, but if we're wanting to enact change, we have to focus on all three branches! I'm all for dunking the orange basketball out of office, but it has to be a complete system reboot for us to get the change we actually want to see! Some of these seats have had the same people in them for 30, 40, 50+ YEARS!

*Information found via ballotpedia.org, Wikipedia (which then led to government sites for confirmation), and looking up my information specifically.

[ilaughtoloud]

I like this song.

[lunasong365]

"Every time you sit out an election, every time you don't show up because you think it doesn't matter, someone else is happy that you didn't show up, so they can make that decision for you."  Desiree Tims

YelloPain, Dayton-born rapper, says he has many fans, family members, and friends who do not believe voting at the local or state levels can make a difference. He feels he is in a unique position to reach those who feel left out of the process.