Re: Looks like Republicans don't want Veterans to vote after all

D.F. Manno wrote:
> In article <asrUj.2689$17.1476@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
> "ZBicyclist" <ZBicyclist@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>> The Weasel wrote:
>>>
>>> A free id is not a poll tax.
>>
>> Indeed (although there's a fee for a driver's license or a
>> pass****t).
>>
>> You have to have ID to drink
>
> I don't drink.
>
>> to drive
>
> I don't drive.
>
>> to pay by check
>
> I pay for things with a credit card, occasionally a debit card 
> (never
> had to show photo ID to get either), or cash.
>
>> to take books out of the library
>
> I've had a library card since I was five. I didn't need to provide 
> a
> photo ID to get it.
>
>> to have your kids attend a public school
>
> I have no kids.
>
>> to ride in an airplane
>
> I've flown in airplanes many times and have never been asked to
> produce ID, just a ticket.
>
>> to rent a car
>
> I don't drive.
>
>> and a host of other things in
>> life.  I don't think it causes much problem to show ID when 
>> voting.
>
> If I lived in Indiana I would be ineligible to vote. I call that a
> problem.
>
>> The number of people who lack ID (such as the bicycle-riding 
>> veteran
>> in the original post) has to be very small.
>
> Eleven million in the U.S., according to one 2006 study.
>
> <http://www.cbpp.org/9-22-06id.htm>
>
>> The whole issue seems too small to be worth fighting over.
>
> Really? I was threatened with the loss of my housing subsidy and
> homelessness for lack of a photo ID.

For some of these, you're grandfathered in (library card, for 
example).

For others, you are out of date (getting on an airline flight, for 
example).

9/11 did change things, and one of the things it changed was the 
need for ID.

On the specific topic of voting, I don't think it's at all 
unreasonable to provide some specific indicator that you are who you 
say you are.  A government photo ID provides a "bright line" as to 
what's an acceptable indicator and what's not.

I think the 11 million statistic is not very relevant in terms of 
its impact on voting. I find it hard to believe that a lot of people 
would bother to register to vote but never bother to get a 
government photo ID.  The one's a lot more useful than the other.

-- 
Mike Kruger
"You have to be careful if you are reckless." - Richard M. Daley