I'm
still thinking about this voter ID thing that is being debated in
court now even though the Justice Department had already ruled that
it imposed an undue hardship on the poor, the disenfranchised, and
the elderly. Our state attorney general, Greg Abbott no
relation!, still saw fit to sue
the government over it.
Our
Republican dominated state government, the one that slashed funding
to volunteer and regular fire departments, that gutted education, and
refused federal
funding for health care for the poor and as a result our state burned
during the drought, our schools and educational system are the worst
in the country, and our population has the least access to healthcare
despite having one of the leading medical centers in the country;
this Republican government has a new plan.
Now
they want to require a special 'free' voter ID card, justifying their
new law by saying they need to combat voter fraud. When I think of
elections here and those in certain other countries that purport to
have an elected government through voting, I can't help but think
that whatever voter fraud goes on here is negligible in comparison.
If voter fraud was such a problem, I think they wouldn't have to
force it. And they are having to force it.
So
tell me. Which is worse? Allowing that no system is perfect and
keeping an eye on known weaknesses and perhaps have a very small
percentage of fraudulent votes get through, or, instituting measures
that would engender a loss of 18%* of the poor, minority, and elderly
voter block.
The
latter is voter fraud
as far as I'm concerned, another attempt to marginalize the
opposition just like they do with redistricting. Don't get me wrong.
I'm not against trying to do something about voter fraud, but I'm
certainly not going to take their word that it's a big problem just
because they say so and I'm not really seeing any evidence of
widespread voter fraud.
Republicans
are very good at the scare tactic. It's what they do. Every time
the population gets restless they drag out some bugaboo and whip up a
good ole hysteria about it to distract us, while they plot against
our rights and freedoms. And enrich themselves at our expense.
Like
our attorney general Greg Abbott no relation! who
was jogging on a stormy evening and a tree fell on him in a freak
accident and he became a paraplegic who sued the homeowner and won a
multi-million dollar lawsuit, went into politics, and pushed through
tort reform to prevent exactly what he got. He got his so, who
cares, right?
And
if they aren't scaring us then they are questioning our patriotism or
our sexuality or accusing us of acting on feelings instead of
thinking because surely if we were thinking, we would think the way
they do.
Well,
the thing is, liberals do think. We are intelligent,
we do read, we do consider, we do understand. We
just don't agree with conservative conclusions or agendas. We think
they are ruining this country, have ruined this country.
They
have certainly ruined this state.
Have you ever noticed how neatly Ohio would fill out the top of Texas on the map, to produce one very large conclave of disenfranchised. As for how it got that way, we could just call it Supreme Justice Robertsville.
ReplyDeleteID required in UT. It passed just prior to the 2008 presidential election. Hmmmm I wonder why they felt it was so important during that particular cycle to get it on the books? (and it was a sneaky and rapid push)
ReplyDeletePeople are easily hoodwinked too. Those of us who recognize the huge ramifications (disallowing the disenfranchised from having a vote) of this law can't seem to get the word out that this is wrong, and why to those who if they understood, would start to question the consequences (and the motives of those who are pushing for a voter ID requirement.
We just have to shout louder, and convince everyone else that this is JUST WRONG!
ReplyDeleteGood show, ellen!!! Well stated!
ReplyDeleteEllen, the Republican Party has become the face of evil in my mind. I don't where the phrase "the banality of evil" came from, but when I looked at Santorum, Romney, Bachman, and the rest of those healthy, smiling, intelligent looking candidates, and then tried to make their words match their appearance, I felt despair. Yet, look at what Obama has done--and not done. I can't imagine voting for either party in the presidential election. It's a dirty, dirty, dirty, government we've got here with our endless wars, our increasing limitations on civil rights, and our citizens who die because they can't afford medical care even while we sent money to prop up foreign governments that abuse their own citizens.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment earlier but see it didn't stick.
ReplyDeleteThe 'pull up the drawbridge' mentality of Greg Abbot (no relative) is typical I'm afraid and the Republican look guilty of attempting to gerrymander Texas on a grand scale!
Snow - I totally agree. I fear, however, that if Romney is elected things will get even worse.
ReplyDeletethank yhou for the comment, Ms. Ellen. My email,,geroze49@gmail.com ,, glenn
ReplyDeleteNo Ma'um, it wasnt me...I still follow,,:)
ReplyDeleteI am voting for you, Ellen, you are the most sane person on the planet...
ReplyDeleteIf Mitt becomes president there will likely be a great exodus...if anyone will have us...
I really get so sad - it just makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteEllen for president. I'll vote for you.
Ellen for president!!?? Wait, wait! I grew up with this girl. You don't know what you are asking!! ;)
ReplyDeleteHere is (one of) the problem(s) with the Republicans... the classic fiscal "don't spend more than you bring in" conservatives have sold their souls by allowing all the crazy and self-indulgent groups (1% rich guys, religious zealots, tea party bozos, war mongers, gun nuts etc.) to join their party just so they can win elections. The problem is that most of those crazies don't believe in or care about fiscal conservatism. They want all the stuff liberals want, they just don't want to have to pay for it. So we end up with leaders like George the Second. Does anyone REALLY believe Romney will be any different?
Our problems are very simple. The majority of the population has been convinced it can have everything it wants (military, social security & medicare) and not have to pay for it. Either cut everything 20% or pay more. It is simple math.
Ellen, you could move to Oregon. But Texas really needs you right now.
ReplyDeleteGun ID is good for voting, student ID is not. Texas is crazy. Good that you stay to fight the Republican and NRA insanity
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I am a political scientist by education and I guess I could see this coming. I have felt for the longest time that because of the very structure of our governmental system with its myriad of checks and balances that it would become ineffective and easy pickings for the rich and powerful and special interest groups and indeed, it has come to pass. We are witnessing the success of democracy driven to the lowest common denominator by a consumer-based economy. In other words, mob rule.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure a case can be made that the state of Texas should be required to mail those free voter IDs out to all registered voters - certified mail, to bump up the bills some. Wonder what the fiscal conservatives would think of that?
ReplyDelete