VOTING
posted in General |From the time I initially became eligible to vote, I have never failed to cast my vote in State or National elections. Some times I knew that my vote would not make a difference, i.e., “my guy” had a big safe margin and didn’t need my vote, or else he was so arrears that one vote made no difference. But I voted anyway. I strongly support the idea that there should be standards of voting eligibility and that fraudulent voting be dealt with strongly. Each time I approach the ballot box, I wonder whether some derelict will cancel my vote via $25 bucks and a pint as the reward for a “friendly vote. Mistakes occurr and I recognize those few incidents. But the idea that unscrupulous politicians try to forge or buy votes really rankles me. Election after election we read or hear about phony ballots and our leaders wring their hands and profess outrage. But in the election aftermath not much seems to be done about it — see ACORN. Those who might profit from voting fraud are not much interested in changing the rules.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with a national requirement for a picture ID as a voting requirement. Inconvenient to some? So?? If democracy requires safeguards to prevent fraud and dishonesty, Is that unreasonable ? If I need a photo ID to cash a check or register my car Is there something wrong with that? Or should I expect the government to tell me, don’t sweat it – it doesn’t happen that often. I say, if it happens one time it might be my vote that is negated. Am I off the reservation on this one??