Stories by Steven Rosenfeld

Steven Rosenfeld covers democracy issues for AlterNet and is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting" (AlterNet Books, 2008). subscribe to Steven Rosenfeld's feed

The Fabricated Crisis of the Fiscal Cliff Gets Exposed as Treasury Department Pulls $200 Billion out of a Hat

Posted on: Dec 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The fabricated January 31st deadline just disintegrated, portending more weeks of bickering.

3/4ths of States Ignore Mental Illness Background Checks For Gun Buyers

Posted on: Dec 24, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Virginia has more than 180,000 on its list. Nineteen states have less than 100 each.

Extreme Right-Wingers Holding Economy Hostage

Posted on: Dec 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

If America were a parliamentary democracy, today's right-wingers would be exiled.

Front Group for Military-Industrial Complex Pushes Hard to Slash Social Programs and Avoid Pentagon Cuts

Posted on: Dec 20, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Corporate-backed lobbying group Fix the Debt shows little interest in protecting the neediest in society.

8 Civil Liberties Cases Supreme Court Will Tackle in 2013

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

It could be a banner year for strengthening our civil liberties -- or for weakening them.

How the Bitter Losers of 2012 Rammed Through a Union-Destroying Bill in Michigan

Posted on: Dec 12, 2012, Source: AlterNet

It's a political declaration of war against opponents who had beaten the GOP fair and square on the electoral field.

3 Ways GOP Will Double-Down on Its War On Voters in 2013

Posted on: Dec 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The party wants to gut federal voting law while enacting more state-based barriers.

Expert: Supreme Court Case on Patenting Human Genes Will Likely inflict "Devastating Harm on the American People"

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

AlterNet talks to the lead attorney fighting efforts to patent human breast and ovarian cancer genes.

4 Ways the Richest Americans Treated Our National Election Like a Plaything

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The latest FEC reports show just how manic the spending was—and why grassroots organizing still matters.

Four Corporate Power-Grabs That Got the Thumbs Up from Federal Courts

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Corporate power keeps growing beyond the world of Citizens United.

Only A Populist Anti-Corruption Movement Can Repair American Democracy, Says Larry Lessig

Posted on: Nov 29, 2012, Source: AlterNet

AlterNet Radio speaks with the influential legal scholar.

5 Ways the GOP (And Obama) Have Undermined Our Democracy

Posted on: Nov 27, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The institutions designed to make campaign finances more transparent and to ensure that election technology is evolving are paralyzed by empty leadership positions.

Watch Out Plutocrats, the Progressive Pro-Democracy Movement Is Savvy and Gearing Up to Take on Citizens United

Posted on: Nov 23, 2012, Source: AlterNet

There's a sophisticated pushback against corporate power in the works.

10 Right-Wing Election Myths Debunked by Reality in 2012

Posted on: Nov 13, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The conservative information bubble has popped.

The Next Citizens United? The Voting Rights Act Is In Supreme Court’s Crosshairs

Posted on: Nov 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The Court will review a case that could gut the landmark civil rights era law.

How Super PACs Warped the 2012 Election

Posted on: Nov 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

American democracy's downhill slide continued in 2012.

Did Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Really Win?

Posted on: Nov 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Several hundred thousand votes remain uncounted.

Will Democrats Take Their Progressive Base For Granted Or Cultivate It?

Posted on: Nov 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The Party has a history of abandoning core voters after Election Day.

Major Progressive Victories (and Some Defeats) in Ballot Measures Across the Country

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

From gay marriage to education funding to healthcare -- there were some huge policy issues Americans voted on.

Chaos, Disinformation and Glitches Plague Key States -- Our Broken Election System in Action

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

There are a number of troubling reports.

Court Rejects Last-Minute Bid To Block Ohio From Using Software Patch on Voting Machines

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A lawsuit brought by election integrity activists was called baseless by judge.

What's Going on at the Polls? A Round-Up of Voting Problems

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Long lines, hours-long waits, poll worker confusion, unregistered voters and more.

10 Mind-Numbingly Stupid Political Headlines on the Eve of the Election

Posted on: Nov 5, 2012, Source: AlterNet

We need better media.

How Republicans Are Trying to Steal the Election

Posted on: Nov 5, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Florida's voters had the longest lines and most infuriating waits.

Republicans Whip Up Fears of Rigged Voting Machines to Delegitimize a Likely Obama Win

Posted on: Nov 3, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Top state election officials reply in forceful letters debunking accusations.

Progressive Lawyers Have Blocked Most Obstacles to Voting Set Up by GOP This Election

Posted on: Nov 2, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Voting rights groups have cleared a path to Tuesday's polls. Now go vote!

Will Superstorm Sandy Keep People From Voting?

Posted on: Nov 2, 2012, Source: AlterNet

New Jersey will offer more options, including voting this weekend. New York looks at new polling sites.

Denver Democrats Worry About Lack of Voting Machines In Key Neighborhoods

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

As the city moves from precincts to vote centers, will Tuesday's voters be accommodated?

Is The Voter Vigilante Group True The Vote Violating Ohio Law to Intimidate Voters at the Polls?

Posted on: Oct 29, 2012, Source: AlterNet

TrueTheVote’s poll worker training effort may violate Ohio law for interfering in an election.

5 Reasons Karl Rove Is NOT Going To Electronically Steal This Election

Posted on: Oct 27, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Too many voting machine activists are scaring people unnecessarily.

Why Arizona's "Secret" $11 Million Donor Opposing 2 Crucial Ballot Measures in California Is Really No Secret

Posted on: Oct 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The secret donation's defender in court has deep ties to top Republican circles.

10 States Where Voter Suppression Scams Target New Voters, Minorities and The Elderly

Posted on: Oct 25, 2012, Source: AlterNet

As the 2012 election countdown continues, voter scams are rising.

How the Rich Are Turning State and Local Races Into Their Own Personal Political Playgrounds

Posted on: Oct 24, 2012, Source: AlterNet

2012's unregulated and unrestrained campaign spending isn't confined to the presidential race.

6 Things We Need To Do To Repair America's Crumbling Democracy

Posted on: Oct 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The need for progressive, pro-democracy reforms has never been greater.

Towns That Dare to Face Up to Fracking Industry Pay a Hefty Price

Posted on: Oct 19, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The cost of opposing the drillers in Pennsylvania: one million dollars in state subsidies.

Swing State Update: Many Polls Tightening, But Dems Are Ahead In Early Voting

Posted on: Oct 15, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Democrats appear to have the upper hand in more key states.

What Does Leadership Look Like? Business Experts Would Say Obama Not Romney

Posted on: Oct 11, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Business columnists say there's more to it than acting on TV.

Ohio Voting Rights Victory: Court Throws Out 'Right Polling Place, Wrong Table' Rule

Posted on: Oct 11, 2012, Source: AlterNet

In 2008, this crazy rule disqualified 14,000 votes by otherwise eligible voters.

Another Voting Rights Victory in South Carolina As Voter ID Law Won't Take Effect Until 2013.

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A federal appeals court found the law could not be implemented for the 2012 election.

Romney Breaks A Year of Promises To Right-Wingers -- And They're Cheering

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Republicans are ignoring his tack to the middle because they want to win.

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