BarkellWH -> RE: UK GOV CONFRONTS IMAGINARY PROBLEMS. Is solidarity so dead that noone cares? (Jan. 10 2014 19:05:14)
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This debate has been ongoing in the United States for some time. In my opinion, both sides--Republicans who support requiring a photo ID to vote, and Democrats who object to the requirement--are exploiting the issue to cynically advance their own agendas. While there is no evidence of widespread, fraudulent voting in any of the states, there are documented instances where it has occurred. Nevertheless, I think most of the Republican establishment supports the requirement because they think there will be some who will not (or in some cases, for various reasons, cannot) obtain such IDs, and those will be primarily supporters of the Democratic party. On the other hand, most Democrats object to requiring photo IDs, not because they have a heartfelt empathy for the individual who cannot vote because he lacks an ID; rather, they see potential Democratic votes that will not materialize because of the perception that great numbers will not, or cannot, obtain photo IDs. Both sides are exploiting this issue because they perceive that, depending on which side one supports, if the other side wins, one's own side loses come election time. My own thoughts on the subject (and I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat) tend toward requiring a photo ID in order to vote, at least in Federal elections. It is not asking too much to require a photo ID. It is required to drive a car or motorcycle; it is required to enter any Federal building in all states and cities; and I see no reason why it should not be required to vote. Voting is a distinct and precious privilege and right, and it seems to me that the small effort it takes to take one's birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or some other form of documentation to a proper authority in order to obtain a photo ID is little enough to do in order to exercise the privilege and right of voting. There are facilities to assist invalids and the elderly to do so. And if one is just too lazy to expend the minimal amount of effort required, perhaps one is simply too lazy to vote. Cheers, Bill
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