"Voter ID scam is the real fraud"

[last_texas_dem]

Voter ID scam is the real fraud
by Cynthia Tucker

Source: Baltimore Sun

>>>>>ATLANTA - If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds Indiana's harsh voter ID law, as its justices seem poised to do, hundreds of thousands of black Americans should march in protest. So should hundreds of thousands of Latino Americans. Native Americans, too. Political activists from across the ethnic spectrum should convene the biggest political demonstration since the historic March on Washington in 1963.

Where is the Rev. Al Sharpton when a genuinely critical issue comes along? Where's the Rev. Jesse Jackson?

The GOP-led campaign to pass stringent voter ID laws is a greater injustice than the prosecutions of the Jena Six, more significant than the incarceration of Michael Vick, more damaging than the insulting rants of Don Imus. This is a frankly brazen effort to block the votes of thousands of people of color who might have the temerity to vote for Democrats. And it's un-American.


As happened in several states, including Georgia, the then-GOP-dominated Indiana legislature pushed through a rigid law in 2005 requiring state-sponsored photo IDs at the ballot box. While the Republican spin machine has worked mightily to portray this as an effort to curb voter fraud, it is no such thing. There has never - never - been a single case of "voter impersonation" at the ballot box, with a fake voter using an electric bill or phone bill to pretend to be a valid voter.>>>>>

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.tucker14jan14,0,461309.story

[bunkerbuster1]

1. Glad to see this picked up beyond he AJC

Cynthia nails it; this issue should be much, much bigger than it is.

[last_texas_dem]

2. It's just crazy to me

that some of these Repug-controlled state legislatures, when the issue of voting rights comes up, use the issue as an opportunity to try to disqualify voters, rather than trying to ensure the votes of those casting them are counted. To me, regardless of which party it helps, the answer is to work to encourage as many potential voters to vote and to count their votes. It's sickening but not surprising that the R's are attempting to put up as many roadblocks as possible to prevent people from voting, under the guise of preventing voter fraud.

[bunkerbuster1]

5. It's not crazy if you've heard some RW radio fools

Neal Boortz, for example, devoted about a half hour of bitching about "stupid people" voting, when I happened to listen a couple weeks ago. He had several callers backing him up, and this isn't the first time I've heard Republicans overtly back disenfranchisement.

A lot of RW people are really horrified (for example) that a Hillary candidacy would inspire a lot of traditionally apathetic voters--single women, specifically--making it virtually impossible for a Republican to win if there were a good turnout. Same deal for black folks and Obama.

I agree it's "crazy" if you actually love America; it's not if you're a Republican c. 2008.

[originalpckelly]

3. Most non-driver state IDs don't cost much. Why not just get these people ID cards?

I think that it's not altogether a bad idea, on the other hand it must be possible for all US citizens to get IDs. I know first hand how hard it can be in certain odd circumstances to get an ID.

It's really a two part scam, one the voter ID bs, which isn't all that bad. Then there's the part where they toughened the ID requirements, that's the part that fucked everyone over. Many of these older people can't get all the documents necessary to prove all the requirements that have now been implemented on new IDs. It's not just enough to have a birth certificate in many states where Republicans have changed laws concerning this. And some older people may not even have that.

[SoCalDem]

14. New laws are usually grandfathered in for some people..and this one probably

has similar provisions.

I have always railed at the Dem leadership for not seeing the "big picture".. We are always forced into the position of being against IDs for people, which is a ludricrous position to hold these days. The corner video store makes you show ID, schools do it, gas stations do it, grocery stores do it..EVERY DAY, we have to have/show ID..

The amount of money and time WASTED trying to fight all the nitpicky legislation that republicans mass-market (to make us take the other side), would be much better spent, by having democratic leadership in every district, just see to it that everyone HAS ID, and pay for it if necessary ( as a humanitrian gesture, if necessary).. Court action costs BIG BUCKS, and only draws attention to what republicans call "the fact" that Dems are against IDs and therefore allow people to vote "illegally".. We know this is untrue, but it's always spun that way..

TAKE AWAY THEIR ARGUMENT, by getting everyone who does not already have one, a VALID picture ID, and eliminate the need for them to continue to rant & rave.. Worst case scenario? Old, poor people would have IDs that they might still need for other purposes..

Republicans' raison d'être is to continually propose brier patch legislation..to force us into untenable positions..and then to run to the press and embarrass us (or try to).. Why we keep falling for it, is beyond me..

[Pastiche423]

30. In June 2000

I moved to a state 3,000 miles from where I was living. I can not drive, thus no drivers license.

Not once during those seven and a half years have I ever been asked for ID.

So, you are wrong about "EVERY DAY, we have to have/show ID..".

[SoCalDem]

31. MOST people probably DO show ID during their daily lives

Even BANKS take a PHOTOCOPY of your ID to open an account...or to even be ON an account with another person..(to add our son as beneficiary of out CDs, he had to go in and have them ID him)

[Pastiche423]

38. Got a link for that?

In the past eleven years, I have lived in three states. In only one state did I have a drivers license. That license was not renewed after my injury.

In those three states, I was never asked for ID.

The federal government knows who I am. They send me a SSDI check every month. There is no need for them to know more.

IMHO, federal IDs = fascism. Papers, please!

No thank you.

[dkofos]

4. If this does happen what is the plan? To whine about it here on du?

My plan would be to start raising money, gathering people, and making people aware
of the need for an ID to vote. The cost of the ID is not much and could be paid for if
the people can't afford it.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. Here in GA, we are working on it.

There are local efforts afoot to provide county IDs to the elderly who are without it; I plan to volunteer when time permits.

But I'm also supportive of any and all efforts to demolish the viability of this particular GOP tactic. I'm happy to point out to one and all that the GOP is actively working to keep people from voting, because that's the only way this party of losers can hope to win.

[dkofos]

8. Good on you!! And how true. Good luck

[goodgd_yall]

23. The Republicans know their voter base won't be affected by these laws.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. If it costs even a dime, it's a poll tax

And that is illegal.

[dkofos]

17. Thanks for your whining 2 cents worth. 4 more and you paid for it

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Wow what a sweet reply

I can tell this issue has not affected you like it has so many others.

[aikoaiko]

7. Ironically, Cynthia Tucker thinks the disenfranchised have the time to march, but not to get an ID.

:shrug:


Everybody thinks they know what best for the poor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. And the ones who can't get an ID?

They should just stay home on election day?

Is that what you are saying?

[aikoaiko]

15. No, thats not what I'm saying

She think people should march about the Voter ID bill, but the reason the Voter ID bill is bad is because for some people (the disenfranchised) its difficult to find the money, time, or transportation to get an ID. But she thinks they have the time, money, and transportation to assemble and march. I don't think she gets it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. So what do you propose they do?

I don't think you understand. Even if they had the time, money and transportation, many of these people still can't GET an ID. My mother couldn't get one since she had no birth certificate. But if she had chosen to march to protest this law, you would have criticized her?

[aikoaiko]

24. No I wouldn't criticize your mother, I'm criticizing the author.

But I will say that most people with time and money can get their birth certificate.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Most but not all

Yet all are guaranteed the right to vote. So what should we do for those who don't have and can't get ID?

[gkhouston]

29. especially since we have NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER than voter fraud

is a major problem. As far as I can tell, we might as well be inking fingers. :eyes:

[aikoaiko]

33. The same thing one would say if they showed up without any id with the current system.

"Sorry, get your id and you can vote."

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. And if they don't have an ID, they just don't get to vote?

Do you understand what voter disenfranchisement is?

[Sadie4629]

9. Don't see how it's disenfranchising anyone

You can get a state-issued ID for little or no cost, in most places. Voting is so important, that I don't think it's wrong to expect people to make a little effort to ensure that we have clean elections.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Any cost at all is a poll tax

and not everyone CAN get an ID. There were 65,000 people in MO who were disenfranchised because they had no ID nor anyway to get one.

This is not as simple as you guys think it is.

[aikoaiko]

16. What other things can be used as IDs?

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Under MO's law, they only accepted state IDs or DLs

It varies from state to state.

[aikoaiko]

32. How is this much different from the voter ID?

Don't you have to go somewhere, provide proof of residency, and pay money?

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. Yes

I am not sure what you are asking though.

[aikoaiko]

35. It seems like having to go somewhere, with documents, and pay is your criticism against a Voter ID

But thats what one has to do anyway in MO. Of course I recognize that the Voter ID is more specific in requirements, but its really just a matter of degree.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. They threw out the voter ID law in MO

I vote in Kansas so I don't know for sure how it works in MO. But do you need ID? You don't in KS.

[aikoaiko]

39. Ok, I was confused by what you wrote about MO,

It seems wrong that someone can show up in Kansas, say he or she is so and so and vote regardless if he or she is that person.

This is the thing for me, I realize that the big push vote having voter ID is way to keep the more marginalized people from voting, but on its face it is a rational and seemingly good thing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. But it doesn't happen

People don't show up at the polls, claim to be someone else and vote in their name. It's not a problem.

[B Calm]

13. I would rather they quit blaming the voters for election fraud!

[DangerDave921]

28. I tend to agree

If we are really concerned about accurate voting, then showing a photo ID is a pretty harmless step in making sure people are who they say they are. I'm not sure what the big hullabaloo is over this. And if the Government can afford to pay for converter boxes for HD TV, then it can foot the bill for a crappy photo laminated on a piece of plastic.

I have to show ID at the bank, at the airport, and when I use a credit card. With something as important as voting, a photo ID is fine with me.

HOWEVER - the bigger issue is making sure votes are counted accurately and not fixed after the fact. That's the real fraud.

[ieoeja]

21. A pox on both sides.

To the no-ID side: can't imagine many people who consider it too much a hassle to renew their license every 5 years will get out twice every couple years to vote anyway.

To the pro-ID side: it's a sure bet that thousands of Hoosiers between 16 and 20 have a fake id right now. If a bunch of kids can do it, what makes you think the election fraud crowd can and will not?

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. And the people who don't drive, what about them?

The disabled and elderly - what should they do? How much trouble do you expect them to go to so they can vote? Should it be a hassle?

Voter fraud is NOT a problem. Do you know how many cases there were in 2004?

[goodgd_yall]

22. Why don't they jus tissue photo IDs at the polling places

for those who don't have picture IDs. They could then be used at every vote to identify the person. Oh, OK forget it, it would cost the government money; we'd rather disenfranchise people.

If someone wants to vote fraudulently badly enough, they can get a fake ID. I'm sure polling place workers are not going to examine the IDs with the same amount of scrutiny a law enforcement officer would.

And, bottom line, how much voter fraud actually goes on? Does the frequency really justify the potential disenfranchisement of individuals?

[IzaSparrow]

27. It's nothing but a poll tax...nt

[countryjake]

41. Kick