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It doesn't, really. The issue gets politicized due to a long memory of "Jim Crow". Tom Send a noteboard - 15/01/2012 06:19:37 PM
To massively generalize, in America today Republicans are mostly conservatives, and conservatives find their base in the rural populations and split the suburbs with Democrats because people in the middle class under pressure will tend to revert to conservative values. Democrats are mostly liberals, and liberals find their base in urban populations and that portion of the suburbs which feels confident enough to be able to pay to support government programs.

The reason I just massively generalized is because in modern voting cycles, voter fraud manifested in the form of ballot-box stuffing is most easily conducted in urban areas by individuals with poor or no ID credentials - the homeless, the indigent, and other people who are transient for one reason or another (e.g., students). These people tend to vote Democratic.

As a result, any attempt to force ID cards is opposed by Democrats, who see in such attempts a manifestation of a historic conservative form of voter fraud, namely, denial of voting rights. Of course, this was historically conducted by white Democrats, but at the time conservatives in the South were Democrats because it was the Republicans who "invaded" under Lincoln. The Jim Crow laws were part and parcel of a wider social scheme to keep blacks disenfranchised, outside of political and socioeconomic power structures and marginalized in society generally.

Democrats like to play down the risk of voter fraud, but groups investigating the 2008 election (and even more so, the 2008 Democratic primary) have uncovered evidence of massive voter fraud in the form of ballot-box stuffing. Whether the evidence is merely the "tip of the iceberg" as Republicans claim or an "exaggeration" as Democrats claim, is an argument that can go on for years.

However, my personal opinion is that ballot-box stuffing is a significant and serious risk, and there are enough "get out the vote" and "voter registration" type organizations out there that can help ensure that everyone gets an ID card. It is easy enough to implement and maintain, and not an unbearable burden. It increases faith in the electoral system and that is a good thing. It decreases the ability of people to delegitimize an election on the grounds that "the dead voted", or that officials cast ballots for people on voter lists who didn't show up.

Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
This message last edited by Tom on 15/01/2012 at 06:22:03 PM
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How does requiring photo ID disenfranchise the black/minority community? - 15/01/2012 05:14:16 PM 2108 Views
I certainly don't know. *NM* - 15/01/2012 05:32:42 PM 621 Views
From what I understand ... - 15/01/2012 05:34:39 PM 1223 Views
but you need a photo ID for so many other things - 15/01/2012 05:42:06 PM 1093 Views
Well. - 15/01/2012 05:53:04 PM 1242 Views
your last bit is a good point *NM* - 15/01/2012 06:07:17 PM 664 Views
The SCOTUS disagrees with you. - 16/01/2012 03:14:57 AM 1073 Views
I didn't even need to show a voter regestration card last time I voted *NM* - 16/01/2012 11:45:23 PM 762 Views
That is kind of pathetic. - 17/01/2012 06:45:19 AM 1010 Views
you are not taking my amazing good looks into account - 17/01/2012 11:22:16 AM 936 Views
I cannot speak to that. - 17/01/2012 04:11:53 PM 1125 Views
It "disenfranchises" whoever only barely brings him- or herself to vote as it is. - 15/01/2012 05:34:50 PM 1100 Views
That really only reinforces the idea to me that this is just people looking to fight about something *NM* - 15/01/2012 05:45:37 PM 601 Views
Did you read your own article? - 15/01/2012 05:48:21 PM 1149 Views
but out of that 200,000, how many would go get an ID? - 15/01/2012 06:08:44 PM 1108 Views
I think that's an exaggeration, but to play devil's advocate... - 15/01/2012 05:41:10 PM 1037 Views
it doesn't strike me as a very big layer to add. *NM* - 15/01/2012 05:43:37 PM 597 Views
Someone presents a poll worker a non-DL photo ID. - 15/01/2012 05:48:50 PM 1110 Views
It doesn't, really. The issue gets politicized due to a long memory of "Jim Crow". - 15/01/2012 06:19:37 PM 1203 Views
This is a remarkably calm and reasonable political discussion. What's going on? *NM* - 15/01/2012 08:05:30 PM 625 Views
I'm magical? *NM* - 15/01/2012 08:59:33 PM 682 Views
It is not a black and white issue - 16/01/2012 01:07:14 AM 1123 Views
I prefer to think i'm magical. *NM* - 16/01/2012 01:20:49 AM 611 Views
I don't see any cat nearby, thus no magic was used *nods* *NM* - 16/01/2012 01:28:50 AM 642 Views
that's too obvious. - 16/01/2012 02:48:29 AM 1099 Views
You did not just compare a cat to a rabbit - 16/01/2012 03:07:49 AM 1103 Views
have you ever had a rabbit? - 16/01/2012 03:25:26 AM 1144 Views
A cat would never lower itself assumming the form of a fluffy rabbit - 16/01/2012 12:49:26 PM 1197 Views
that's just what they want you to think. - 16/01/2012 02:34:48 PM 1039 Views
Viscous does not mean Magical - 16/01/2012 02:45:10 PM 1220 Views
Not that I care much either way, but please, answer this: - 15/01/2012 09:26:23 PM 1169 Views
definitely not. However, ID cards are free in South Carolina. - 15/01/2012 09:33:06 PM 1254 Views
You could walk. *NM* - 16/01/2012 06:31:58 AM 606 Views
Oh I could, theoretically. Although this year, my poll is a good 7 miles away - 16/01/2012 08:45:42 AM 1262 Views
7 miles away, isn't that illegal? *NM* - 16/01/2012 05:35:50 PM 604 Views
probably, but not really at the same time. It's my own fault regardless. - 16/01/2012 10:46:06 PM 1154 Views
Illegal? My polling location is > 7 miles from my permanent residence. - 17/01/2012 12:19:21 AM 1107 Views
I really have no idea what the rules are. *NM* - 17/01/2012 03:02:04 PM 610 Views
Every state has its own rules - 17/01/2012 03:54:43 PM 1167 Views
No, and there's is no place in the US that is the case - 16/01/2012 12:11:36 AM 1167 Views
Short answer: Yes. (Let me know if you want the long answer.) *NM* - 16/01/2012 07:52:36 PM 720 Views
that would be interesting. *NM* - 16/01/2012 08:45:24 PM 629 Views
I don't see how it does - 15/01/2012 10:22:29 PM 1160 Views
Re: I don't see how it does - 15/01/2012 10:57:20 PM 1107 Views
I believe most states also offer a non-drivers ID issued by the DMV - 16/01/2012 12:12:09 AM 1052 Views
Also passports work too in most places. *NM* - 16/01/2012 06:59:51 PM 648 Views
those are far far from economical or practical compared to state IDs *NM* - 16/01/2012 07:12:30 PM 513 Views
Non-driver IDs, as said above - 16/01/2012 11:55:55 PM 1139 Views
they don't cost in all states. They are free in SC *NM* - 17/01/2012 12:00:14 AM 628 Views
It is a catch 22 situation, the free id is not a perfect solution - 16/01/2012 12:53:11 AM 1224 Views
That problem is significant, but far bigger than voting. - 16/01/2012 02:53:13 AM 1161 Views
Also you can't claim voter fraud is a big problem - 16/01/2012 12:57:18 AM 1137 Views
can you prove that voter fraud is not a problem? - 16/01/2012 02:04:52 AM 1080 Views
In 5 years of investigation, 120 people were charged national with voter fraud, 86 were convincted - 16/01/2012 02:33:07 AM 1295 Views
That's smoke and mirrors - 16/01/2012 01:51:34 PM 1209 Views
It seems you didn't read the article, or understand its point - 16/01/2012 02:39:39 PM 1114 Views
I suspect I know a good deal more of this subject than the author of your 5-year old article - 16/01/2012 05:37:54 PM 1106 Views
Question for you - 16/01/2012 06:01:09 PM 1172 Views
I'd prefer photo-ID only but I don't see too great a need. - 16/01/2012 06:37:13 PM 1298 Views
I tend to agree - 16/01/2012 06:50:43 PM 1050 Views
I'd definitely encourage absentee voting - 16/01/2012 07:14:02 PM 1158 Views
I am required to produce a state ID to vote. - 16/01/2012 02:21:27 PM 1149 Views
Re: How does requiring photo ID disenfranchise the black/minority community? - 16/01/2012 02:42:28 PM 1164 Views
Keep wearing that tinfoil hat. *NM* - 16/01/2012 03:09:56 PM 627 Views
I'm not reading the article but... - 17/01/2012 09:48:27 AM 1102 Views
maybe there's no excuse in your area - 17/01/2012 03:05:53 PM 1049 Views
I think when you get to such extreme examples, the point often becomes moot. - 18/01/2012 07:26:10 PM 1030 Views
that pretty much sums up my thoughts no it - 18/01/2012 08:57:41 PM 1052 Views
Re: I think when you get to such extreme examples, the point often becomes moot. - 21/01/2012 02:44:56 AM 1272 Views
Well, that's kind of what I meant. - 21/01/2012 02:15:30 PM 1189 Views
Re: Well, that's kind of what I meant. - 28/01/2012 03:48:19 PM 1395 Views
Re: maybe there's no excuse in your area - 21/01/2012 02:39:12 AM 1141 Views
What? I'm the only one who cares? - 18/01/2012 02:14:28 AM 1238 Views
Yes, just you, the rest of us have been discussing baseball this entire time *NM* - 18/01/2012 02:41:25 AM 626 Views
I'm the only one who cares with fervor in a non nuanced way ok? *NM* - 18/01/2012 03:07:07 AM 622 Views
imo, fervor has no place in political discussion - 18/01/2012 02:35:56 PM 1088 Views
And yet, it finds its way or it's not politics. - 18/01/2012 06:28:08 PM 1091 Views
What? - 18/01/2012 03:57:10 PM 991 Views
What about those who don't have an id and have been voting fine before? - 18/01/2012 06:06:19 PM 1251 Views
the problem with that last point is... - 18/01/2012 09:05:43 PM 1089 Views
Yes. - 18/01/2012 09:32:25 PM 1271 Views
Cry me a river. Honestly. - 20/01/2012 05:28:05 AM 1015 Views
What's your real question? - 18/01/2012 05:07:30 PM 1075 Views
Question mark notwithstanding, there was no question. - 18/01/2012 06:16:46 PM 1152 Views
Be outraged. Be passionate. Be surprised. - 19/01/2012 05:42:37 PM 1285 Views

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