Several states are already tied up in a legal and political battle, concerning voter ID laws. Obviously, those who oppose the laws are usually of the liberal persuasion, and those who support the laws are usually of the conservative persuasion. However, the curious part about the opposition to the voter ID laws is that they require the voter to prove that they are who they say they are, that they are in fact citizens of the US and a resident of the state, and that they are tax-paying, contributing members in society …how is this a bad thing?
The Wall Street Journal reports on the raging war concerning this issue:
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson has said he plans to issue a ruling the week of Aug. 13 on the constitutionality of the law, one of numerous such measures enacted across the country over the past two years as Republican lawmakers have sought to crack down on what they say is widespread voter fraud.
Democrats say the laws, which often require photo identification, are designed to deter voting by poor people and others who are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Lawyers for both sides presented closing arguments Thursday at the court in Harrisburg, Pa.”
In essence, the Democrats are tooting the horn of ‘oh, ye art oppressing the downtrodden masses!’ …as if we haven’t heard this sad bell toll before. Essentially, liberal politicians are worried that they might lose a massive chunk of their voter base. When I say ‘massive chunk’, I mean voters that number roughly a million. The report states:
Several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters, say the law violates the state’s constitution and are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent it from taking effect. These groups say the law could prevent more than a million voters from casting ballots on Election Day.”
However, who exactly are these ‘million voters’ that were once using the honor system to vote, and now, because they are required to show who they really are, they cannot vote? …Interesting. This is quite thought provoking for the simple fact that some studies are giving different numbers:
The Justice Department also asked for documentation to support Gov. Corbett’s statement in March that “99 percent of Pennsylvania’s eligible voters already have acceptable photo ID.” During lawmakers’ early debates about the proposed legislation, the state initially estimated only 89,000 people were without approved IDs.”
Why the inconsistency in information? It seems that most voters can use alternate forms of ID, which is how the lawmakers arrived at that statistic. I would have to say, the disconnect in info between both sides may rest on a single fact. The millions that the liberals were talking about aren’t actually citizens in the first place, while the conservatives could only find 89,000 folks who actually are citizens, and yet, don’t have IDs. Again, how is poverty going to keep an individual from getting a valid photo ID?
The liberal argument is quite easy to see through. They want illegal aliens to have the power to vote, and voter ID laws will effectively stop them in their tracks (well, most of them anyway). Conservatives know this, liberals know this, so in essence, the question really comes down to …should illegals be allowed to vote?
Obviously, the answer is, not a snowball’s chance. Why should ‘We the People’ allow folks to vote who aren’t even technically bound by U.S. law? Legal U.S. citizens are subject to the rule and law of the government, so likewise, we all have a responsibility to take part in that government. Illegal aliens are not subject to US law, and should not be allowed to take part in governance, as they sooner face deportation rather than prison in the event that they commit a felony. They reside here, using U.S. roads, U.S. emergency services, U.S. law enforcement, and the U.S. free market system, all under the supposition that the U.S. owes them a place and they owe no allegiance to the U.S.. Showing allegiance, means abiding by the rule of U.S. law.
If illegal immigrants would like to vote, then perhaps they should go through the proper steps to become a legal citizen …then they may vote to their heart’s content …with their legally obtained photo IDs.
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2012/08/12308-why-dems-oppose-voter-id-laws/
