Voter ID Laws

[geardaddy]

I live in a state (MN) where we had a referendum on forcing people to provide state IDs to be able to vote. Luckily, it failed miserably, and we don't have to provide IDs to vote. However, there are still people who think that it should be law. They say things like, "It only makes sense that you provide an ID to prove who you are" etc.

A state ID does not prove US citizenship. The only things that proves citizenship are a birth certificate verifying live birth in the US, a US passport, or a naturalization certificate. Also, getting a copy of these things requires the applicants to pay the government (state or otherwise) a fee, thus resulting in a virtual poll tax, which is unconstitutional.

These voter ID types, are generally Republicans who are wary of the government. You'd think that they would be wary of having to pay the government for an ID and that they'd be wary of any government-issued ID (since they are just a big meanie taking our money at every turn).

Now, I know this is too logical for these types, but I guess we can't have nice things.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. it's an excuse

Voter ID laws give Repugs an excuse to disenfranchise voters they suspect might vote against them. It's the means by which candidates try to select their voters, instead of the other way around.

[geardaddy]

2. Oh, I know why the party does it.

I just am amazed that the party followers can't see it for what it is.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

3. they do

I've had Repugs laugh about it when it was pointed out -- anything to 'win', even damaging the very basis of democracy.