Retro in TN: Poll Taxes are Back !!!!

[marmar]

86-Year-Old Vet in Tennessee Paid Unconstitutional Poll Tax for Voter ID


Pointing to a problem that doesn’t exist, Tennessee Republicans created a voter ID law this year which, they say, will ensure that only those eligible to vote can do so. As predicted, the law is disenfranchising the poor, elderly, and minority voters, including a 96-year-old African-American woman, a 91-year old woman, and now, a 86-year old veteran.

World War II veteran Darwin Spinks went to a testing center last month to get a photo ID for voting purposes. Under the law, any resident without a photo ID is supposed to get one free of charge. But when Spinks asked for an ID, he was told he had to pay an $8 fee:

Spinks said Tuesday he needed the photo because when his driver’s license with a photo expired the last time, the driver testing center issued him a new license without a photo on it. State law allows people over 60 to get a non-photo driver’s license.

The retired print shop worker who moved here 17 years ago said he told people at the driver center he wanted an ID for voting purposes. He was sent from one line to another to have a picture taken, then was charged.

“I said, ‘You mean I’ve got to pay again?’ She says, ‘Yes,’” explained Spinks, a resident of County Farm Road, who was stationed on the USS Goshen in World War II and was called to duty again for the Korean War.

..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/685962/86-year-old_vet_in_tennessee_paid_unconstitutional_poll_tax_for_voter_id/

[sakabatou]

1. IOKIYAR

[Maccagirl]

2. He was fighting for our freedom (so I've been told again and again)

and then gets his taken away by "laws". When are people going to wake up and stop this?

[Tsiyu]

3. The Oh-So-Antebellum "Got Mine, Screw You" attitude

that built the worst of the Old South has been passed down to many of the politicians of the New South.


Lots of good 99%ers here who just want to get along in peace. These simple, unpretentious people are overruled by alcoholic, sociopathic panjandrums with preacher hair and bad suits who still play off what their diddies did (or what they would have done) in 1838.

These politicians don't believe in petty things like justice or liberty or education or thriving communities. They believe in one thing and one thing only: Their Supremacy.

They don't believe in Gawd. They are Gods. They DO believe that if some Gawd put them in a position of tremendous responsibility and power, that Gawd must want them to lie, cheat and steal to benefit from that position. Divine Right of Thieves and all that...

My heart goes out to the people of Tennessee, who either won't get out and vote even when it's easy, or who vote against their own interests nearly Every. Single. Time.

[kenfrequed]

4. this is a poll tax

Definitely. Calling it something else or having some kind of required purchase to vote is no different.

[Scuba]

5. Same crap here in Wisconsin. n/t