The Nation has a very interesting article about the Pennsylvania trial over photo-ID requirement for voters at the polls. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
The Nation has a very interesting article about the Pennsylvania trial over photo-ID requirement for voters at the polls. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
Mr. Winger –
Earlier you stated that the evidence in this trial suggests that as many Republicans will be disenfranchised as Democratic voters.
I wonder – do you think the defense be calling to the stands an equal number from among the myriad poor black Republican voters who live in housing projects, don’t own a car, don’t have photo ID, and have somehow managed to miss the intensive voter education efforts of the state to inform them that they will need to an upgrade in their affluence in order to participate in American democracy?
Mr. Winger –
Earlier you stated that the evidence in this trial suggests that as many Republicans will be disenfranchised as Democratic voters. Not so far, I guess.
I wonder – do you think the defense be calling to the stands an equal number from among the myriad poor black Republican voters who live in housing projects, don’t own a car, don’t have photo ID, and have somehow managed to miss the “intensive” voter education effort by the state to inform them that they will need upgrade in their affluence in order to participate in American democracy?
As I have stated earlier…A.L.E.C. isn’t composed of stupid people, or Democrats. A.L.E.C. has gotten voter ID laws passed in states where the legislature and the governor’s office is controlled by Republicans, because the intent of these laws is to “unenroll” Democratic numbers in widely disproportionate numbers. If a few Republicans get caught in the net, they are acceptable collateral casualties.
Let’s not mince words. These laws are undemocratic and un-American. They are being passed in the interests of the 1% who care only about the preservation of their own wealth, hate true American values, and care nothing – zilch – about the civil rights of the other 99% among us.
There are a lot of poor white people in rural areas of Pennsylvania who do vote Republican. Pennsylvania has more post offices than any other state except Kentucky. Like Kentucky, Pennsylvania has hundreds of tiny valleys filled with tiny towns. That’s why those two states have the most post offices. They all need their own separate post office because they are physically isolated. Yes, I still think what I thought before.
3 –
Then you’re either a Republican, or you’re being duped by Republicans.
When I voted in the primary here in PA they demanded a photo ID. I showed them a retired military ID and they refused it because it did not have an expiration date. They wanted my driver’s license. I refused to oblidge. I showed them my PA concealed carry permit and they didn’t know what it was. In a loud voice I told them it gave me the right to carry a firearm in the commonwealth and that I wanted to vote…NOW! The room went quiet and I voted for Ron Paul without incident. I then immediately changed my registration back from Republican so I could feel clean again!
#5 We need more folks like you that stand up for our rights!
5 –
In Florida they passed this Republican/A.L.E.C./Tea Party/Rich White Guy law too, under the pretext of preventing “voter fraud.” Gov. Rick Scott defended the law by saying “I have an obligation to enforce the laws of our land. You don’t get to vote in Florida if you’re a non-U.S. citizen.” His patently ridiculous implication is that the real reason Mexican illegals long to come to this country is to…risk deportation by voting in our elections.
That might be funny (especially since they have “caught” only a few hundred non-citizen voters in a state with several million registered voters) if it weren’t so obvious that the Republican party will always appeal to fear, bigotry and jingoism to garner support for their one genuine objective – wealth protection – to serve their only true constituency…the fabulously wealthy. Despite Mr. Winger’s charming bucolic imagery, these people are not stupid. They can do math. And when they did the simple math they realized that if they passed these laws they would be able to disenfranchise more likely Democratic voters, by a very wide margin, than Republican voters.
So good onya Casual Bystander!
BTW – your story reminds me of the irony that some Republican controlled states are now requiring citizens to produce more identification in order to participate in democracy than James Holmes was required to produce to purchase his Aurora arsenal!