That strips things down to reality. I've never seen a Latino organization,
an African-American organization or the Democratic Party advocating photo ID. As
a matter of fact, they oppose such requirements.
The academic nature of the debate on this list is deeply rooted in
abstraction.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 12:12
PM
Subject: Re: [EL] photo IDs and detection
of voter fraud
Let's be candid about this topic. Requiring photo ID has almost
nothing to do with preventing vote fraud. For most of its proponents it is
just a ruse for creating one more impediment to voting that they expect will
fall most heavily on those most likely to vote Democrat. That could also be
accomplished by such measures as requiring voters to wear a business suit,
have a job or insurance, pass a test, or pay taxes, child support, or student
loans. Some of these also impede the ability to get government-issued photo
ID, and can stand as a convenient indicator of them. Government-issued photo
ID, as distinct from privately-issued photo ID, is also a way to control
people the government doesn't like, and that those who control government
don't want voting.
Now I don't necessarily oppose some such
restrictions on who may vote. I would consider denying the vote to those who
don't have a high school diploma or GED, who can't pass a test on American
government or who the candidates are, or who get a substantial proportion of
their revenue from government employment, contracting, or pensions. If only
tax payers, and not tax getters, could vote, we might get better government.
But let us not obscure what we are trying to do in seeking such
restrictions.
-- Jon
----------------------------------------------------------
Constitution Society http://constitution.org
2900 W Anderson Ln C-200-322 Austin, TX 78757
512/299-5001 jon.roland@constitution.org
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