uninformed voters should not vote. a man is such a state would seem to me to be uninformed. regardless, no one is talking about extremes here.

valid point.

 

Millions of americans that WORK and PAY TAXES do not have an ID nor can they afford an ID. In my state of WI, ID's cost $28. In my state, a mother that takes the bus to her three jobs in order to support her 4 kids makes just enough to feed her family. $30 is a big deal. To this mother, "do I pay $30 to feed my family for the next three nights or do I splurge...just this once, to vote?"

This should NEVER....EVER be a question that should EVER enter any american citizens mind. This SHOULD NOT EVER be an issue...."feed my kids or vote". If you agree with this, you are a sick sick person. No United States citizen should ever have a price tag placed on their vote.

WTF is this? 1850?

Not to mention the elderly. Factory workers, officers of the law, veterans, all retired individuals that can no longer work because of their age...they have no savings account, they have no money to just splurge on an ID card so they can vote.

This is insane...absolutely rediculas.

*edit* if the state can offer a free ID, and the rest of the country feels that this is something that is affordable in the Federal budget, lets do it.

If not, then it's completely irrelevant and should never EVER pass legislation.

 

And your definition of 'informed'? I feel the same way...I think it would be better if some people did not vote. However, it is not my place to determine such a thing. In fact, it is NOBODY'S place to determine such a thing.

You ARE talking about extremes. I am not pulling that example out of my ass. That WOULD happen.

Oh, and Kestrel and I made the same point

 

it's something that can never be determined and only assumed. If votes are based on assumptions, I'm moving to another country.

 

regardless, partisan corporations like Choicepoint" should be banned from any voting scenario....and if so, Gore would be our president right now.

We need to shift our "fraud accusing" to a whole new level.

On November 7th, 2000, over 90 thousand black voters in Florida had thier voting registration rights stolen from them, and non of them knew it. A data-base, operated under a republican group of suits called Choicepoint, flagged and disgarded over 90 thousand black votes. As in all of the 50 states, felons are not allowed to vote. This data base mistook 90 thousand black individuals as fellons. Their names, their profiles, all held vague, but similar characteristics of specific felons that are not allowed to vote. http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=217&row=2 Just recently, the organization was sued by the federal government for $10million for selling personal information to crooks. How this information is not just names, it is Social Security numbers, health history, drivers lisence ID numbers, etc.. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/20...ta_breach.html

And this is fact Tom...I know your going to throw in the "conspiracy" flag...individuals have been fired....non partisan individuals have been fired for fraud because of this sick fix....and individuals have been terminated because of partisan affiliations and fraud.

 

duff man, if you want to be taken seriously, you need to stop referencing these ridiculous conspiracy theories. you know full well that there is voter fraud on both sides of the aisle.

and everyone knows that the dems love to bring busloads of homeless people to the voting booths in exchange for a sandwich. that is not an informed voter, and this is partly why i think IDs should be required. not that i think this legislation will stop them from committing this unethical act, but it's something.

so if IDs need to be free to allow this to pass, let's do it. i'll gladly pay a little more in taxes for that.someone who is aware of the candidates, their history, what they stand for, and the process in general…

you referenced amendment 24?

 

Who is to decide if someone is informed or not? Like I said, I agree that people would be more informed, but to take away their voting rights? Never.

I did not directly reference it, but my point was the same.

 

:werd:

Well said!

 

I wouldn't say that a multi-million dollar operation is equivalent to tire slashing, but yes, both sides commit voter fraud.

I agree, a public ID card could solve this issue. I also believe that Public Campaign/finance reform will solve a good portion of voting issues. I also believe that this will convert us from a two party system to a multiparty system. This would allow individuals like (and I stress the word "like" because both these folks have money) Perot and Nader would have stronger voices. Green party affiliates along with liberatarians...etc.

A win win

Imagine the day that we vote for 1 out of 6 extreamly competent presidential options....not two...not a blue state/red state affiliation. Not a "I have more money so I can advertise and hire better PR" thing. I want a leader...not a damn plastic politician. Not a "I swing this way and they swing that way" option. It's not one or the other. You guy's would be suprised as how centrist I stand. And for whatever it's worth, I'm a strong believer and supporter in Mark Warner for 08....Southerners agree and this guy can make things happen.

 

I think state IDs should be free anyway. Cost is trivial, and there are a thousand benefits to more people carrying ID.