A State at a Time: American Citizens Take Their Country Back
By: Ed Farnan | Published Monday, June 20, 2011, 2:50 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:16 PM
With the disclosures that large amounts of illegal voters are possibly tipping the balance of power around the country, the new Republican majority in legislatures throughout the nation are turning their attention to getting a handle on it.
It seems the status quo for voter requirements in many states is not having to provide photo I.D.'s when voting. What kind of madness is this? Just who does this help in this day of hi-technology, when anyone can claim they are a legal, registered voter without proving it? It opens the door for fraudulent votes that can effect the whole direction of the country. Furthermore what's to stop them from voting multiple times in multiple states. If there isn't a fraud proof, concrete way of determining who voters are we are lost as a country.
The hijacking of the American voting system of one American citizen one vote, has to end. It is not a burden to have to prove who you are, that is a ridiculous excuse.
Democrats say photo ID laws are unnecessary because there is limited evidence of voter fraud....Really? They claim Republicans are using the laws to disenfranchise poor and minority voters who may not have IDs and would vote for Democrats....What! How much does a picture I.D. cost? I am sure there is a government program somewhere in the swamp of deficit spending that would provide free govt. paid for I.D.'s.
The governors of South Carolina and Texas are poised to sign new state laws requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, who say such measures are necessary to prevent election fraud.
The South Carolina Senate voted to require voters to show a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport or federal military ID to cast a ballot. The bill now moves to Governor Nikki Haley, who says she will sign it.
In both states, Republicans control both chambers of the legislature as well as the governor’s office, allowing the proposals to become law despite fierce opposition.
And just what patriotic American citizen would fiercely oppose a way to fight voter fraud?“The elections in November made a huge difference on this issue,” Tova Wang, senior fellow at Demos, a New York-based advocacy organization that works to defeat photo ID proposals.
Who is "Tova Wang" and what is "Demos"? Who would want our electoral system to be compromised by making it easy for voter fraud?Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, a Republican, already signed a voter ID plan into law in his state — a development that would have been unlikely last year, when Democrat Mark Parkinson was Governor. In Texas, previous attempts to pass voter ID had been blocked by minority Democrats in the House, but Republicans picked up a supermajority in November’s elections, leading to this year’s breakthrough.
GOP-backed proposals are still moving forward in Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and elsewhere.
One state at a time American citizens can take their country back. This is going to have to be the trickle up version of bringing sanity back to our election system. Because it certainly is not going to happen through Washington.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.2BorNot2B | Jul 01, 2011, 05:53 PM EDT
Sez McNam in response to seanfer7..."I saw millions of illegal voters but hardly any legal ones"....Hmmmm.. Could you tell us where you saw "them" and how you knew they were not legal? -- Well McNumb, here's a bit of news that might remove the libstars from your eyes: My extended family in LA manned polling stations and voting places where they helplessly watched as sizeable crowds of illegals who could not even speak English were being dumped by union buses at the various places they were volunteering as monitors, so they would vote. They point-blank asked in Spanish "where do I vote for obama?" -- Why were these people not prevented from voting by the poll watchers? Their pleas for help went either unanswered, or were told help would show up at some point that never materialized.--- LA County is a 'sanctuary city' that provides documentation to these people which allows them to operate as though they were 'naturalized citizens.' Whatever ID they don't get from sympathetic organizations, they can easily buy from people whose business is the manufacture and sale of fake documents. Convinced?
hooligan6a | May 22, 2011, 02:56 PM EDT
Question, What American doesn't have an ID today? Answer, Not one. You need an ID to get a library card. If you don't own a Llbrary card, you have no business voting. You need an ID to board an airplane, no one seems to have a problem with that. Why is it such an inconvenience to show an ID to vote?
DaddyMac22 | May 19, 2011, 03:29 PM EDT
Florida. Jed Bush. Irony.
suzandpej | May 19, 2011, 10:04 AM EDT
Hey, Ratslayer...we are pointing fingers at any ethnic group. The Mexican's that I know worked long and hard for their money. And they will do anything to earn money. The sad fact is we cannot give our education system and health system away to people who do not pay. If the Mexican's are summer workers, they aren't even in this country that long. If they live here, they usually are eager to become citizens, and proud of it! Yes, Ochshane, ACORN indeed! That whole thing was illegal. This is a ridiculous thing to argue about. Author is right about one thing: there is money to issue ID cards for legal residents. End of story.
suzandpej | May 19, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT
If we can get one of the most crooked states in the union to do this, it would be something~ I speak of Illinois, of course. The politics in this state has been so rotten it smells for decades. Watch how long it takes for them to even acknowledge it. It won't happen here! There are a lot of us who don't like our Prez...remember he came from Chicago, Il. political mob.
seanomelbourne | May 17, 2011, 02:51 AM EDT
did you feed the millions of illegal voters with the loaves and fish's seanfer7 what a ridiculous statement.
EdinCali | May 16, 2011, 08:42 PM EDT
effect 1. something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence: Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin. 2. power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity; influence: His protest had no effect. 3. the state of being effective or operative; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment: to bring a plan into effect. EXPAND –verb (used with object) 10. to produce as an effect; bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
Ratslayer | May 16, 2011, 05:33 PM EDT
Ed writes: ''It opens the door for fraudulent votes that can effect the whole direction of the country.'' Hey Ed, it's AFFECT, not EFFECT.
Ratslayer | May 16, 2011, 05:13 PM EDT
Look out Ed, them darn Mexicans is coming!
eileend | May 16, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT
An investigation was done after both Bush wins by the Bush Attorney General's office (that would be Ashcroft). They could find NO widespread voter fraud. You can look up the report, because Ashcroft(not exactly a bastion of left-leaning liberalism) published it himself. The 'massive voter fraud' only exists in the PR of those who seek to rile people up against minorities(I don't remember anybody ever blaming middle-class white guys for storming the polls). There was, however, widespread voter intimidation and suppression by Republican activists, also reported in the Ashcroft report, that said that many states made it so difficult to vote, that the poor and elderly--traditionally democratic-leaning--were pressured out of voting entirely. So get off ACORN's back. Unless you want to tell me that it's an unChristian, unAmerican thing to try and help the poor pay utility bills.
Reaganella | May 16, 2011, 09:27 AM EDT
Amen, and hallelujah! It's about time legislators with guts addressed the illegal voter problem.
McNamara31 | May 16, 2011, 08:59 AM EDT
seanfer7..."I saw millions of illegal voters but hardly any legal ones"....Hmmmm.. Could you tell us where you saw "them" and how you knew they were not legal?
ochshane | May 16, 2011, 08:38 AM EDT
ACORN anyone! Vote early and vote often.
seanfer7 | May 16, 2011, 07:51 AM EDT
Just how many voters were caught trying to vote that were illegal last election? I saw millions of illegal voters but hardly any legal ones. It wouldn't matter anyhow because the Surpreme ones decide it for us.
seanomelbourne | May 16, 2011, 01:55 AM EDT
There may be some hope for Ireland but not for Farnan and clancy4.
clancy4unc | May 15, 2011, 10:18 PM EDT
I'm just shocked that there is a conservative writer for this place. I was beginning to think most of the Irish were socialist boneheads who would follow the devil himself, as long as he said the "correct" things. Is there some hope for the old country?
seanomelbourne | May 15, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT
Mman disenfranchising the poor and the elderly is a right wing mantra ask your friends the Koch Bros.
jamthecat | May 15, 2011, 06:05 PM EDT
The only voter fraud that's been shown to have happened in this country, so far, is from the right wing -- from Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 right through Wisconsin, today. Same for voter intimidation. You're not taking this country back; you're just taking it over with nothing more than lies, jackboot tactics and racist propaganda.
seanaci | May 15, 2011, 04:57 PM EDT
McNamara31: If you want to be deflected back to where globalisation in the US is leading, start here http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-meyerson-europeans-20110515,0,3990894.story
McNamara31 | May 15, 2011, 04:42 PM EDT
jfoynyc... So right. It's part of the politics of deflection. Deflect the attention, and anger away from the real problems at hand, such as the one's you mentioned.
McNamara31 | May 15, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT
tundish45..Your comment speaks volumes!
jfoynyc | May 15, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT
I wish that what the article described was the problem. Unfortunately individual voters matter less now and we the people have become serfs of American Busines and of the richest 5% of the the population. That's where the real fraud lies. For example, over 50% of the people wanted Universal Healthcare; why did we not get it? not because of voter fraud. Almost 10 Trillion tax break (10 years) to the wealthy, $4B./year tax break to oil companies, etc. Do you still think voter fraud is our problem? If yes, carry on regardless.
eibhleann7 | May 15, 2011, 02:47 PM EDT
It's not only voter fraud, but registration fraud that needs to be addressed, as well. In New York, we have a certain group that illegally registers in multiple parts of the state, and votes in multiple elections, hence creating a " voting block" that helps to control the political world for their own selfish agenda.
tundish45 | May 15, 2011, 02:46 PM EDT
Yer right, freedon luvin' patriots. What we need is a good set of papers that we can keep in order. An national, internal passport. Like my late Father-In-Law had in pre WWI Europe. When he took a new job, he reported first to the police station for a records update. Same when he moved to a new apartment. Or town...or thought he might marry... Catch the drift?
Monsoonman | May 15, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT
WE! The citizens of the United States. Want to know who is voting in our elections. Period! We want the voter rolls totally purged. No more motor voter/non i.d./ multiple votes from one person/dead people still voting...we start to get pizzed off. We the citizens are starting to feel DISENFRANCHISED.
Gearoid4 | May 15, 2011, 02:26 PM EDT
Hurrah for individual states rediscovering their own muscular jurisdictional powers in the face of overweening Federal nanny-statism. The latter has imposed a leftist model of social engineering in terms of health care, sexual ethics and other areas which goes against the grain of the natural right of centre politics of the average American.
cartersmate35 | May 15, 2011, 02:09 PM EDT
Great article, and, though the truth hurts, it is, after all, the TRUTH! We voters have been robbed for by corrupted politicians. WE WILL TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!!
Nicomax | May 15, 2011, 01:35 PM EDT
Voter suppression is often viewed as more prevalent than voter fraud. It usually occurs in low-income, minority districts, more recently observed in the Jacksonville area during the 2000 election, followed by extensive back-ups at the polls in large Ohio cities during the 2004 election. Recent laws are more intended to suppress legitimate voters than catch fraudulent ones.
Monsoonman | May 15, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT
American citizens right to vote is THE most important right and responsibility. Whenever it can be subjugated by diluting it with the kind of voter fraud that is going on, then it is time for citizens to rise up and demand change and accountability. We are getting our country stolen a little bit at a time, by seemingly innocent sounding "rules" such as not requiring solid i.d. to vote. The founding Fathers were right when they told us: "Here's your republic, don't lose it"
AengusOg | May 15, 2011, 12:41 PM EDT
We Americans have very similar core values. Once integrity gives way to partisanship, we begin calling names and slandering rather than debating. I'm proud to be a participant in the Tea Party. I won't call myself a member because it is a movement rather than a political party. It has no candidates seeking public office. Much as Green parties are for ecological responsibility, the Tea Party is for fiscal responsibility and smaller government. Participants may hold widely divergent views on gay marriage, illegal immigration, etc. Sign up to receive Tea Party emails and see for yourselves.
seanaci | May 15, 2011, 11:27 AM EDT
Coming to America from Ireland I was so glad to get away from the "prod" v "fenian" mentality and enjoy the respectful discussion of opposing views as evidenced in this thread. Truly an exceptional people these Americans as they are always so quick to point out.
JimMcGarity | May 15, 2011, 11:26 AM EDT
How did this ever happen? Why have laws but not enforce them.
NYCsheridan | May 15, 2011, 11:22 AM EDT
That should read "The Dems had many more candidates up for re-election than the GOP."
NYCsheridan | May 15, 2011, 11:20 AM EDT
Ed Farnan is a right-wing Teabagging clown. Can't Irish Central find a moderate voice? Hey Ed, what is the percentage of voter fraud found in the USA in the last 20 years? If you did a little research before spewing your crap all over the website, perhaps you'd see the number is less than a fraction of being statistically insignificant. This is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to limit the right of college students and the very poor (a majority of whom do not even have a Photo ID) to vote. It's also an attempt to portray last November's election aas a Teabagger victory. It wasn't. It was a "throw them all out"-mentality that won last November's election. The Dems had many more candidates than the GOP. There is no question that Obama will win a landslide victory in 2012, dragging a huge number of Dems back into office. No question at all. The GOP has nothing, NOTHING to compete with Obama. And take the teabags off your Tricorner hat, Ed. You look like an idiot. Oh wait a minute.....
odonnell521 | May 15, 2011, 11:07 AM EDT
At least Southern states honestly disenfranchised people for almost 100 years after the Civil War by requiring the payment of poll taxes. How about we starting requiring poll workers to start wearing black or blue shirts when checking people's "papers." Never underestimate the appeal facism to right wingers in both the U.S. and Ireland.
LinLinisme | May 15, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT
You have to show picture ID to open a bank account, when stopped by police, you must show your licence and picture is on it. You SHOULD have to show your picture ID to vote.... O'Baboon would just hand out country over to Islam and illegals. Outrage... PROVE YOURSELF SHOW PICTURE ID TO VOTE is a way to help keep out country safe. North Carolin and many other states are trying to make things right--only to be hampered by the Federal Government. Stay out of states rights.
colkelley | May 15, 2011, 09:33 AM EDT
Hey seanomelbourne - there are MANY instances in which producing a photo ID is a requirement. The next time a police officer stops you for a traffic violation you tell him that asking you for photo ID is the sign of a police state and you refuse - enjoy the handcuffs and the ride. When you go to register your car, refuse to show a photo ID and drive around without a license plate. The next time you go to a bank and they ask you for photo ID to cash a check you tell them you refuse - of course you won't gripe when someone else cashes a check in your name because they don't have to produce a photo ID to prove who they are. You folks NEVER explain how having a photo ID (which one has to have to receive welfare, unemployment, or food stamp benefits in America) "disenfranchises the poor and the young." If someone has to have photo ID to get government benefits why should they not have to produce it to prove who they are and that they are actually exercising THEIR right to vote, not stealing someone else's vote from them? Why are you so interested in providing every possible opportunity for voter fraud?
seanomelbourne | May 15, 2011, 01:30 AM EDT
Producing photo id is usually reserved for repressive or police states. Disenfranchising the poor and the young is a GOP mantra.
jamieLM | May 14, 2011, 09:03 PM EDT
McNamara31 - maybe Mr. Farnan meant taking back our country from those who fraudulently vote and change the outcome in close elections. There have been some razor-close elections where voter fraud may have been the deciding factor in people getting elected to Congress and/or state legislatures. Chicago has been a hot bed of voter fraud for years.
jamieLM | May 14, 2011, 08:38 PM EDT
If poor people can get to the polls, why can't they get to the DOT for a photo ID? Many poor people have money for beer & cigarettes. If they're genuinely too poor or elderly, there could be some system of transportation and payment to cover the costs. The degree may vary from state to state, but voter fraud is alive and well in every presidential election and a photo ID would be one way of preventing much of it. There's no valid reason why all voters can't have a photo ID. The U.S. put a man on the moon, so there should be a way to get photo IDs for poor and minority people.
Monsoonman | May 14, 2011, 07:53 PM EDT
The only "game" being played here McNamara is for democrats to say that voters don't need to prove who they are before they vote. It opens up the whole system to wholesale fraud and frankly I think that's why they like it the way it is.
McNamara31 | May 14, 2011, 07:31 PM EDT
Hi Monsoonman, You know 52% of Americans voted for Obama in the last election, and I'm sure you know how the fractions of "his" base break down. The photo id would target a portion of his base who are legal, yet do not have photo id ie: poor people. You know the game being played here.
Monsoonman | May 14, 2011, 07:29 PM EDT
lol Lad, serpent speak with forked tongue. I am sure you are learning that in your bible study classes though. Have you actually started to handle the snakes themselves during the services? inquiring minds want to know.
seanomelbourne | May 14, 2011, 07:24 PM EDT
Mman I have consulted my snakes (speaking in tongue of course) and they have directed me to accept Mr.Farnan's word.I am on the horns of a dilemma here Mman as my snakes spoke with a forked tongues.
Monsoonman | May 14, 2011, 07:08 PM EDT
McNamara: Take their country back from the voter fraud that has affected their elections. It was never intended for non citizens to vote in our elections as well as voting in multiple elections and multiple times. If chicago purged its rolls and had the UN monitor its elections do you think the same crooks would keep getting elected?
McNamara31 | May 14, 2011, 06:58 PM EDT
Ed... Last paragraph:" One state at a time American citizens can take their country back" From who? Who took your country Ed? And where are you going to take it back to? Some imaginary version of 1960 America? It doesn't exist anymore. The world and its people have changed: global economies, multinational corporations, this is the climate that exists now, and we have to succeed in this environment, and prepare our kids for it. Looking back, taking back, will only leave us in the past, and waste time while all others move ahead.
semperfidelis | May 14, 2011, 04:04 PM EDT
As per usual Ed, right on the money. And also, as per usual, watch and see what a snit the usual suspects get in over this article and your approval of such a simple and sensible way to try and stem voter fraud from happening; libs and dems don't like these type of measures don't you know, makes it harder for them to steal elections.