Let’s see a show of hands. How many of you think that we ought to have to show a photo identification when we arrive at the polling booth to cast our sacred ballot? Apparently, the Republicans and Democrats in our state’s Legislature are going to quibble over this bill again at the upcoming 2009 session. This debate seems to divide the Legislature right down partisan lines. Republicans say that this is necessary to prevent voter fraud and non-citizens from voting. Democrats contend that it is discriminatory toward the lower class and minorities, and that fraudulent voting is not that serious of a problem. Here’s the question I find asking myself: “Why not?” Why shouldn’t you have to show a photo ID when you vote? I am a young person, who has paid little attention to the world of politics, and I was actually surprised to find out that you did not have to. I mean, you have to show a photo ID to do just about everything else in this society. Is there less responsibility involved in voting than, say, renting a movie at Blockbuster?
Some say that having to produce such identification is discriminatory against lower income citizens and minorities, arguing that for this group of people, it can be difficult to obtain. I am finding it hard to buy into this reasoning. While it may be a bit more difficult for some to make the trip to the DPS and dish out the 15 bucks it costs to get a photo ID, I find it hard to believe that it really is beyond someone’s means. If all else fails, Capitol Metro is always there to take care of any transportation issues one might have (if you can get to the polling booth, then you can get to the DPS). I cannot think of any good reasons why a responsible adult, who is a citizen, would not be carrying a photo ID. You absolutely have to possess one to function in society. It sounds to me like something people say when they don’t want to put forth the effort to do something.
Then there is the argument that the bill discriminates against minorities? Someone is going to have to explain this one to me. This is outright ridiculousness! Why on earth is this argument targeting minorities? What is it about minorities that makes it hard to get a photo…. oh wait a minute… oh no, they didn’t. Are they…? No… They’re not suggesting that illegal aliens should be able to cast a ballot, are they?? Of course they are. And they are admitting to that as soon as they make the argument that having to show a photo ID discriminates against minorities. I had no idea that you could put your foot in your mouth BEFORE you opened it. To me, it seems quite evident that the Democrats in the Texas Legislature are attacking this bill to secure votes for their party. By arguing that voter fraud is not that big of a deal, so we ought to let it slide without taking corrective measures is flat out irresponsible. It seems like those who stand by this line of reasoning are willing to sacrifice the integrity of an election for votes for their party's candidates.
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In this article posted to the blog, Lone Star Debate, the author makes a clear and compelling case for the mandatory use of a photo ID when voting. Throughout the article, the author's use of vocabulary and sentence structure shine through, indicating a professional attitude. He carefully introduces the subject not only in description, but with an accompanying political cartoon which helps to set the tone of his piece.
The focus of this editorial is that there is no good reason not to require a photo ID. The author elaborates on his thesis by reminding the reader of the myriad times that they are required to produce ID daily, and by begging the question, "[i]s there less responsibility involved in voting than, say, renting a movie at Blockbuster?" The author concludes his piece by astutely exploring the likely political motivations behind such a law. "They’re not suggesting that illegal aliens should be able to cast a ballot, are they?? Of course they are," states the author, referring to Democratic opposition to the requiring of ID. By setting a clear logical path for the reader to follow, this article's author succeeds in convincing many open-minded readers that to require a voter to show their photo ID would only help in verifying the legitimacy of coming elections.
Based on an article I read from a colleague’s blog “Photo Fraud,” agrues that it should be mandatory that we present our photo identification when it comes to voting. The author also uses a political cartoon to illustrate and strengthen his/her argument. We’ve tried pushing this bill through the states’ legislative but it has failed. Republicans say that it is needed to be presented from qualify citizens to vote. On the other hand the author mentions that Democrats insist that it is a discrimination approach and voting fraudulent is not a serious issue to be resolved. I agree with this author because we do present our photo identification just about every where else and so why would it be wrong to show it at the voting booth.
Voting probably carries a lesser risk of responsibilities comparing it to the times like buying alcohol, over the counter prescriptions, renting movies that we have to show our identification. I definitely think that we ought to do something about this. Voting responsibility is as important to anything else in society that requires photo identification. We should all carry some sort of state identification to function in this society any way so it shouldn’t be a question of discrimination to the minorities unless the minorities that we are referring to are illegal residents.
Every legal citizen have earned to the right to vote one way or other. We don’t want to give gap to the illegal residents that are in the United States to possess the right to vote or encourage any photo fraud activities.Especially with the numerous cases of fraud floating in United States we should take caution when it comes to casting votes for political measures. As a united nation we need to resolve this and projecting ridiculous reasons to not enforce this!
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