Should Mitt release his tax returns?

[larryselbows]

Of course this is political....

You're probably right, but despite that, whenever I sit down and really think about voter ID, I realize that there really isn't anything that I can see that is wrong with it other than it hurts my candidate. I believe it should only be citizens that vote and that a free and fair election is the only true way to establish a democracy.

That said, voter fraud is a small victory in the long term for the republicans. The fact is that fastest growing demographic in america are minorities and non-christian religious groups. Both of which are firmly a part of the democratic aggregate. Also, 70% of non-married women voted Obama in the last election. The fact is that the Republican party is going to have retool its approach if it wants to compete in future elections.

 

[northeast]

1. It will reduce participation from the poor, already under-represented.
1a anti democracy
1b anti fairness
2. It will waste money on needless bureaucracy.
3. It will inconvenience people.
4. it is partisan, favoring Republicans.

 

[SaltyDawg]

I believe it should only be citizens that vote and that a free and fair election is the only true way to establish a democracy.

I think pretty much everyone agrees with that. The disagreement is whether we need these voter id laws to achieve it.

All of the current data shows these laws are just overkill for a non existent problem.

 

[Revolution 9]

It will help them in the pivotal state they need.
2000 was all about Florida....it wouldn't shock me to have this election come down to Pennsylvania.

If you want to worry about voter fraud, find a way for the affected people to still vote in this election, because they are legal!
.....and give them voter ID cards for the next.

I don't see any of the Republicans here up in arms about legal Americans not being able to vote. You know it might affect the race, but
since it will help you.....why not turn a blind eye to it.

 

[The Thriller]

Why is there a sudden rush to exclude voters now?

You'd think that this issue would have been discussed and resolved years ago. But why, all of a sudden, is there a real sense of urgency to resolve this "problem" now? Lets wait until after the election. Resolve it for the next Presidential election. That way, folks will have 3+ years to get the proper ID rather than just 3 months.

 

[colton]

Sure it does. As the article points out, millions of otherwise legal Americans are currently not allowed to vote. That, by definition, is disenfranchised.

If millions of citizens who desire to vote are still unable to vote come election time, then you'll be able to call them disenfranchised. But you're assuming a lot in calling them disenfranchised already.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I'm late to the party .. but why can't they vote? Meaning, what precludes them from fixing the problem?

I know it sounds like hate, but anyone who is too lazy to fix a problem (that most of the rest of all of us have jumped through the req'd hoops), then don't whine. Kind of topic, I'm sure .. but I just get pissed when WE Americans are irresponsible, lazy .. whatever .. then want equality with those that were responsible and put forth the effort.

Ignore me, please, as I have read a single post from the last couple pages.

 

[larryselbows]

I'm late to the party .. but why can't they vote? Meaning, what precludes them from fixing the problem?

I know it sounds like hate, but anyone who is too lazy to fix a problem (that most of the rest of all of us have jumped through the req'd hoops), then don't whine. Kind of topic, I'm sure .. but I just get pissed when WE Americans are irresponsible, lazy .. whatever .. then want equality with those that were responsible and put forth the effort.

Ignore me, please, as I have read a single post from the last couple pages.

From what I understand it disenfranchises the poor. Most people that can't afford a car don't pursue federal identification (a driver's license) and this voter ID movement kind of blindsided people. I haven't done much research on it though so feel free to learn me somethin'.

 

[Stoked]

From what I understand it disenfranchises the poor. Most people that can't afford a car don't pursue federal identification (a driver's license) and this voter ID movement kind of blindsided people. I haven't done much research on it though so feel free to learn me somethin'.

I deal with the very poorest of society on a daily basis from some pretty remote towns and I'd say most of them already have a state ID. (not a D.L.) Those that do not mostly could.

 

[Dr. Jones]

From what I understand it disenfranchises the poor. Most people that can't afford a car don't pursue federal identification (a driver's license) and this voter ID movement kind of blindsided people. I haven't done much research on it though so feel free to learn me somethin'.

Thanks for the sincere answer. Yes, I knew that .. but what I mean is, it's not THAT damn difficult to get an I.D. There should be ample time to get it done, yes. But to suggest that "I don't want to .. or can't" is unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. I think voting/electing a national leader should be taken seriously and if someone isn't willing to do a little work to ensure voting integrity, then they should just accept whom others, who are willing, end up electing.

There are extreme circumstances, I'm sure, and those should be handled with sensitivity, but the lazy entitled can bite me.

 

[larryselbows]

I deal with the very poorest of society on a daily basis from some pretty remote towns and I'd say most of them already have a state ID. (not a D.L.) Those that do not mostly could.

Thanks for the sincere answer. Yes, I knew that .. but what I mean is, it's not THAT damn difficult to get an I.D. There should be ample time to get it done, yes. But to suggest that "I don't want to .. or can't" is unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. I think voting/electing a national leader should be taken seriously and if someone isn't willing to do a little work to ensure voting integrity, then they should just accept whom others, who are willing, end up electing.

There are extreme circumstances, I'm sure, and those should be handled with sensitivity, but the lazy entitled can bite me.

You guys both make good points, and I don't discount any of them. It does change the complexion of the election in Pennsylvania though, there's no doubt about that.

 

[Dr. Jones]

You guys both make good points, and I don't discount any of them. It does change the complexion of the election in Pennsylvania though, there's no doubt about that.

I'm not trying to conveniently ignore that reality, but I'm not even thinking of it that way at the moment. I'd be fine with giving Americans 5 years to get it done and enact for the next election. I just think it should be done.

 

[larryselbows]

I'm not trying to conveniently ignore that reality, but I'm not even thinking of it that way at the moment. I'd be fine with giving Americans 5 years to get it done and enact for the next election. I just think it should be done.

I totally agree actually.

 

[Stoked]

I'm not trying to conveniently ignore that reality, but I'm not even thinking of it that way at the moment. I'd be fine with giving Americans 5 years to get it done and enact for the next election. I just think it should be done.

I actually think that is a fantastic idea. Spend 5 years finding all the Americans with problems getting an ID and resolve the problem so that they can vote next election.

 

[larryselbows]

I actually think that is a fantastic idea. Spend 5 years finding all the Americans with problems getting an ID and resolve the problem so that they can vote next election.

You know dude, you can respond to posts without being such a jackass.

 

[Dr. Jones]

You know dude, you can respond to posts without being such a jackass.

I laughed.

 

[northeast]

I bet there would be people who would HAVE voter ID, but happen to misplace it or forget it on voting day.
As an example, what if someone has a driver's license, but doesn't have a car....
Maybe they put the license in a drawer, and forget where they put it.
or maybe they think it is in their purse / car / wallet, but it isn't.
and its a single mom, and she's got to pick up her kid, and doesn't have time to go look for it.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I bet there would be people who would HAVE voter ID, but happen to misplace it or forget it on voting day.
As an example, what if someone has a driver's license, but doesn't have a car....
Maybe they put the license in a drawer, and forget where they put it.

Oops.

 

[northeast]

some people have other crap in their life they have to attend to, besides counting their money, having their spouse take care off all the errands, typing on jazzfanz 24/7, and spending the next few months talking and planning about how everyone should vote for the candidate who best benefits rich people

 

[Dr. Jones]

some people have other crap in their life they have to attend to, besides counting their money, having their spouse take care off all the errands, typing on jazzfanz 24/7, and spending the next few months talking and planning about how everyone should vote for the candidate who best benefits rich people

I've been fair here. I even said to make it a requirement for the NEXT election.. that should be enough time, I'd think. If that still seems unreasonable, then you aren't looking for reason.