The New
York Times reported May 9th on the last part of Rand Paul’s
cross country tour where he’s been speaking to Democrats as well as Republican
audiences, in places like Chicago, Detroit and Memphis.
His last meetings happened to be in the mainly Democrat held Memphis, and
before addressing a group of Republicans, he met with black pastors to address “the message that the party needs to soften
its edges and start being more sympathetic to groups that have felt overlooked
and maligned by Republicans.” According to the Times piece. Among topics discussed, were Voter ID laws
which Republicans have been pushing across the country to try and curb Voter
fraud which has been rampant during the past.
First of all, notice that these groups “feel” overlooked and
maligned by Republicans, yet how would they know if Republicans actually do the
things they’re accused of, when most democrats, of any skin shade don’t listen
to what Republicans or Conservatives have to say?
The end of the article quotes State Representative G. A. Hardaway who said, “Get real, Senator… To come here, to Memphis
of all places, and espouse the principles and ‘goodness’ of today’s Republican
Party. Excuse me if I’m not buying it.”
Of course with constant narratives like that, many black democrat
voters hear from their leaders, they are going to feel over looked. Most black
democrats won’t bother listening to a republican, especially a white republican
male.
This shouldn’t be a race thing. Things such as voting rights and Voter ID, should
not
be a race thing- but who made it a race thing?
Some black people may feel maligned and overlooked, yet plenty of other
blacks who happen to be conservative don’t feel that way, nor do they believe
Voter ID is a bad thing.
I’d say that the real discrimination comes from those who seem to
believe people are too incapable of obtaining an ID- because they treat them as
if they’re too ignorant to get one. Yes
once there were laws in this country which prevented classes of people from
voting based on their skin color and their gender- but those days are history,
yet history shows that those who were against people of darker skin shades from
voting back then are the same who treat them as if they’re too stupid to obtain
an ID now.
I’m speaking as an American, who will be voting as an American for
the first time this year- Voter ID is not about race! It's about keeping the
process as it’s been since the first votes; giving all citizens who are legally
allowed to vote, the chance to do their duty as citizens. Yes voting is a privilege,
but more so it’s a duty.
Samuel Adams said, “Let each
citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a
present or a compliment to pleas an individual- or at least that he ought not
so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human
society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
The United States is a sovereign country, made up of laws. The
Constitution is clear on who can and cannot vote, and each State has laws which
reflect the same. ID is needed for
virtually everything these days, from getting a bus pass to buying a house. One
must have a valid form of ID to open a bank account, buy tobacco products, or
to cash a check. Those who argue that it
somehow maligns or discriminates to require ID to vote obviously doesn’t care
if those same people also need to have an ID to get into any government office
or apply for a job, since those also require a valid ID. Seems like the only people who would be
against Voter ID are those who either participate in voter fraud or care who
would benefit from fraud.
As an American, I take my country’s laws and duties seriously,
including my duty to vote. My privilege to vote should ensure that my vote
counts, as should everyone who votes. But our votes aren’t counted when they’re
stolen by people who don’t legally have the right to vote or by those who
commit voter fraud.
My first article written for PolitiChicks a little over a year ago
was about voter
fraud and a woman named Melowese Richardson. She is a Cincinnati, Ohio resident, who also
happened to be an Obama supporter and a poll worker who admitted that she had
voted twice in the Presidential election and who was indicted for voting 6
times. She faced eight counts of voter
fraud and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
She was released about a month ago, four years early- gee, just in time
for the next elections. She is just one of hundreds of thousands who have been
found guilty of voter fraud, and she won’t be the last.
Voter ID is important- to those who genuinely care about our
country. Voting is a right that transcends cultures and borders, as we’ve seen in
countries such as Iraq, by thousands of people proudly showing off their purple
fingers- a symbol of the new freedom to vote for their government leaders.
People like Rand Paul capitulate to those who claim to be offended
by perceived treatment, but they refuse to listen to those of us who are truly
offended by our voices being stolen by fraud.
It’s much the same as capitulating to illegals and amnesty because they
don’t want to ‘offend’ these people they claim who are living in the shadows-
yet they’re perfectly willing to offend the millions who obey the immigration
laws and come to the United States legally and become citizens the right way.
You know what Senator Paul? I’m offended by you and anyone else who is willing
to throw the laws aside in order to appease those who don’t care. Because that’s exactly what it comes down to.
They don’t care about this country and they will do anything to do what they
want because it should be “their right”.
Well rights come with responsibilities- and it’s about time our
politicians and those who vote start being responsible. If they’re incapable of following the laws,
requiring ID would be a responsible way of cutting down on voter fraud.
