Missing the picture in Voter ID ruckus
When I voted in the last election, I was asked to fill out and sign a form stating my name and other information. Then I was asked to show my picture ID, which was examined carefully by the person behind the desk, whose eyes went back and forth between my ID, the paper I signed, and the computer screen, seemingly checking every detail closely before letting me vote.
So, whats my reaction to this level of scrutiny? I say, Thank you for protecting my vote.
In our politically correct world, common sense often evaporates. And so it is with voter ID laws. These laws simply protect our votes from being cancelled by fraudulent voters, which ensures a fair election.
We are told there is no voter fraud, yet folks are sitting in jail today convicted of voter fraud. There are precincts recording more votes than voters. There are anecdotes of dead people voting, prisoners voting, absentee ballot fraud, etc. Therefore, one can surmise there is a problem somewhere.
But there are those who believe that the simple act of obtaining a government issued ID for voting is just too hard to do.
In her ruling voiding Wisconsins voter ID law, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman wrote that the law could have a disproportionate impact on such voters because of the costs some of them might incur in obtaining a photo ID, if they did not already have one.
Other opponents claim this unfairly burdens minorities and older and low-income people; that nonwhites cant get identification; that they are most likely, because of things such as poverty, geographic isolation, etc., to have a difficult time obtaining one.
Rand Paul stated, Everybodys gone completely crazy on this voter ID thing. I think its wrong for Republicans to go too crazy on this issue because its offending people.
Unnecessary burden? Unfair? Crazy? Not from my view. Throughout our history, millions of men and women fought for our liberty and freedom. A free and fair election process is key to maintaining everything for which they fought and many died.
Since IDs are required to ensure security of our social services, health services (e.g. Obamacare), cell phones, utilities, airline travel, etc., Im offended that those without IDs are left to living a life void of these services and are not being helped.
I believe anti-voter ID advocates, therefore, should stop using those who are without voter IDs, yet eligible to vote otherwise, as voter ID pawns to further their cause and, instead, should use their time, money, contacts and energy to help these folks obtain an ID so they can live better, more comfortable lives between elections and, of course, vote. Its cheaper and solves the problem, permanently.
Today, judges override voter ID laws on a regular basis and, as nation, we are paying the price. I thank those in Tennessee who have fought and will continue to fight to retain voter ID and, thus, integrity in Tennessees voting process. May it never change.