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Is voter ID a good idea?
Published Sunday, August 9, 2009
NATCHEZ — Because of voter fraud in past Adams and Wilkinson county elections, county Republicans are looking to help the statewide push to get photo voter identification on the ballot in 2010.
Local Republican Party member Sue Stedman said a voter photo identification program would ensure the fairness in Mississippi elections.
“The way the system is now, the rolls have a lot of people on them who have moved or passed away,” she said. “And people are coming in and voting for these people.”
State Republican executive committee member Johnny Junkin said even though the rolls in Adams County have been cleaned up, there are still many people he knows no longer live here, are not at the right address or have died.
“I could find someone that fits a general description of one of these people, give them the name and address, and if they walk in saying they are this person — they are supposed to let them vote,” he said.
Local Democratic Party member Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said voter identification laws would add another way to intimidate people into not voting.
“Voter turnout needs to go up, not down,” she said. “If you can get from 70 to 80 percent of the people voting then you have real representation of what the people want.”
But Stedman disagreed, saying the identification requirement wasn’t hard to meet, with many services out there you have to have a valid ID for anyway.
“If a bank did not ask someone for an ID that was cashing a check of yours, you would be furious,” she said. “And here we are talking about the people who are running your state, so you should be just as mad.”
Stedman also said carrying an ID card to the polls should not be an inconvenience. A voter lacking government issued ID may obtain one without charge from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Former Civil Rights activist and justice court judge Mary Toles said obtaining an ID is an obstacle for many black voters because the Jim Crow wounds have not healed.
“I know people who have had problems getting an ID,” she said. “It is because they are not comfortable with the system. They are not comfortable with the people who propose it.”
On top of it being difficult for many, Mathis said it adds another level of complication when having your voter registration card should be the end of it.
“I think it is a redundancy because when you register to vote they give you a voting card,” she said. “If they want us to show that, it’s fine, but we don’t need anything extra to deter people from voting.”
Toles said requiring a photo ID to vote in itself may not be bad, but the overall feeling of restrictions is not a positive one for black residents.
“The feeling is that the names have changed, but the game is still the same,” she said. “I remember a time when every time there was some sort of restriction added, it made it tougher for African-Americans to vote.”
Natchez resident Monica Morrison said requiring identification to vote is tough because she could see it from both sides.
“I could give my information to any black female and they could go vote since (the voting booth operators) have no way to verify it is me,” she said. “But you may lose voters because some people may not have photo IDs.”
Natchez resident Henry Patterson said it was good for security.
“Some people have been voting more than once,” he said. “So I think (requiring an ID to vote) is good, the politicians are doing what they can to make the voting system legit.”
Locally, Junkin said to contribute Adams County’s part in obtaining the 100,000 signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot, people are volunteering to walk their block to obtaining signatures. The local Republican Party is also having meetings with small groups.
Stedman said she has petitions in her office at Crye-Leike Stedman Realtors on Canal Street if people want to come in to sign them.
“If you do not have integrity in the ballot blocks,” Junkin said, “then the whole system goes to hell.”
Comments
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you hiding something it might not be,If your not why not?
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course people should present an ID to vote. That's absurd. What are people afraid of? This isn't 1963 anymore. But if the republicans think the only reason Obama won the election is because of voter fraud? They're sadly mistaken. That clown McCain wasn't going to win with that moron Palin at his side. What a joke.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Naturally, the Liberal democRATS are against it, such as Mathis, as they are always against Progress! She also wants the votes from 1 person to. The voter I. D. works well in Louisiana also! The joke is also on you the clown and Palin is more of a woman than you will ever be Fraid! Of course the so-called Civil Rights Community Organizer, Mary Toles, is just like Owhampy and his tribal members! Just remember clown, Owhampy won with the Caucasian Vote and as you should know by now, he is not all "Black" as you call it!
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasn't aware he was a member of a tribe. Why would you refer to a tribe, rushinghjr?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People that think alike with the same views and opposing views are my thoughts on the word 'tribe"/ that is all that I am referring to?
Posted by bombingeight (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 1:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The comments of rushinghjr are often so comical that I think they must surely be a parody. Alas, they are not. If there was ever a tribe, it would be the Republicans of Natchez and Mississippi - same views, same chants, including "go live somewhere else" if you disagree with the tribal members.
Voter identification is a truly serious issue, and most of us oppose anything that approaches a national or state identity card. Surely serious people can find an acceptable solution? Of course, if the Republicans were more bi- or multi-racial, poll workers in a small town like Natchez might well know most voters.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 2:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not put our picture on the voter ID card? I think we have to have some way to verify who we are when we vote. I would not want someone voting as me.
Posted by jrn59 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ms. Mathis: are you intimidated each time you are required to present proper id to cash or pay by check? People lay off the Koolaid, we need voter ID. If you are who you say you are, then what is the problem? Its past time, Ms. needs to get with the program and show some id at the polls.......
Posted by bperkins77 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope this gets through the voter fraud in Wilkinson county is unbelievable. There is no id required to vote and this makes it too easy to slip through the cracks.
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In other cities I've lived in, I was required to show an ID. I can't imagine why anyone would object to showing ID. I agree. EVERYONE should want to eliminate voter fraud. To make it a black/white issue is counterproductive and disigenuous.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said voter identification laws would add another way to intimidate people into not voting."
1. What is the other way used to intimidate voters?
2. If someone is intimidated by having to have and I.D. then their vote should not count anyway.
And I am sure this will spark a flame but...
3. People have no problem showing their I.D. when applying for government money, or cashing their government checks. But it would really be that big of a pain to carry it along with you to vote...Give me a break. What a joke.
4. My real opinion is that certain elected officers, not naming any names, might not have their position if elections were more accurate.
Posted by gerandall58 (Greg Randall) on August 9, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea it it is far better to have people voting that don't even exist than it is to have low voter turn out . Give me a break, the Democrat's are the one's that are frauds. And Mrs. Toles I don't think that it said anything about only black voters should get an ID , all voters black and white should be reqired to have an ID , so please quit your crying.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no problem with voter fraud if the rolls are kept clean of dead folks and folks who no longer live in the county. If some politician, registrar or elected official does not do anything to deal with those accounting irregularities they should be booted.
Voter ID for the poorest and lamest of the poor is like a poll tax.
At least in the first elections, some people will surely avoid going to the polls because they did not get their card in time, they did not have a driver's license, they did not think they had the right papers, they owed their ex wife child support -- or any of a variety of stupid reasons -- fact is the requirement will cause them to stay home, which the poorest of the poor tend to do anyway. Law should NOT cause voters to stay home out of fear of noncompliance.
Republicans do not have any problem with doing this. They feel good about more poor voters having requirements that will keep them from the polls. It is who they are.
Republicans could MORE easily make sure voter rolls are policed and current, that no dead ones are still on the rolls, that people are registered in the right districts, etc. But that is not how it usually happens.
As in Florida and elsewhere they tend to favor last minute purges based on shoddy methods that remove large numbers of voters close to an election and there is not time to get it right. They select these voters to purge based on statistical generalizations that ensure larger numbers of Democrats are excised than Republicans.
This is the gospel. If they think voter fraud is a problem they should police the rolls FIRST before instituting a poll tax or anything that is a requirement that people must comply with before they vote.
Any Republicans -- or anybody -- that does not push for cleaning the rolls long before they cry for Voter ID -- should not be trusted nor should they consider themselves good Americans.
The government should not influence ANYBODY to NOT vote, and that is what voter ID does to some. It is usually just the lamer, poorer classes that are affected. That is why you always see Republicans pushing for these laws. They cannot even admit why they do it.
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if i have to show an ID to buy $5 worth of Coca Cola at the supermarket, surely one can show an ID to VOTE.
I'm sure the store will accept my excuse of "i didn't get my ID in time". if voting is important to someone, i'm sure they'll get their ID on time.
It isn't a "poll tax"...i'm sure you and i will pay for the IDs.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It does not have to be a driver's license just a photo I.D. which most people have the paperwork for.....Birth certificate and social security number. You have to have these two documents to be a registered voter so whats the problem here.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh and maybe if someone avoids coming forward to vote due to delinquent child support maybe this person should just support his children. Just a thought.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AND ONCE AGAIN.........................THE RACE CARD IS PLAYED. give me a break, there will NEVER be enough "checks and balances" to clear all the people (moved, deceased, not around anymore, etc.) from the roll. MOST of those that don't have picture ID's already are off the grid because they are doing something illegal or did something illegal to lose their DL (or DIDN'T do anything illegal and just let someone else cash their check).
BOTTOM LINE: WHY INSTITUTE A SYSTEM THAT'S ALREADY IN EFFECT...............AND VERY AFFORDABLE TO THOSE THAT WANT A PICTURE ID. GO TO THE DMV AND GET ONE.
FYI: in the presidential election, poll workers WERE NOT ALLOWED to ask voters if they were LEGAL RESIDENTS of the UNITED STATES when on polling property.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When registering to vote one should show drivers license, or state id and proof of residence like a bill with your name on it. Why institute voter id and spend more money when you can just show the above and verify residency in Natchez, Adams county and Mississippi.
Posted by bstarrrn (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoa...quoting bombingeight "most of us oppose anything that approachs a state or national idenity card". How can anyone get a job, a bank account, enter school, or even get on government assistance without identification, ie..social security card, birth certificate, drivers license. I think we all have some form of national or state id, so what's the problem? I would think only criminals, frauds, or illegals would feel this is too far out there. I know in Louisiana, if you don't have your voter id, you must show a picture id even if it's your next door neighbor signing you in. I feel it's very fair to show id , unless you do have something to hide.
Posted by gardenflower (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the same old problem of people not wanting to be responsible for themselves....make everything easy so no effort is required of individuals. So, pull out the race card and everyone cringes. Acorn and SEIU are thugs going around the country registering people and this is the VERY reason we should have voter ID. And now these very people are going to run the census...Wake up people...pay attention to what is going on with the current administration.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gardenflower: " this is the VERY reason we should have voter ID"??????????????
Posted by gardenflower (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Duckhunter, not sure what your comment means...but, check out Acorn and the SEIU and you will understand my comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no problem when registering voters is legal...........do some research on these organizations.......
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
America has a black president. Get over the poor me, I'm black stuff. No more excuses for why you fail at achieving equality. Welfare was never meant to be a way of life but a way up out of poverty. Now welfare recipients expect periodic raises as if they were working. Voter fraud is of concern to all of us. How can you determine voter turn out when some vote multiply times?
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(from buttercups grandmom) I've voted for fifity years and from the very first year, I walked in with voter reg. card and picture id in my hand. AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AND HAVE OFTEN STATED IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY OF EVERYONE WHO WISHES TO VOTE. If you can't handle that, stay away from the polls. Like the above blogs, you must have something to hide if you don't want to show id. That's plain and simple.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here I go again!! I do not understand the hoopla about having a pictured ID. Maybe I am just ignorant or misinformed. How can presenting a picture ID intimidate anyone? It is very easy to get such an ID. If I go to present a check for payment of an article, someone, if they have been trained properly and they do not KNOW me, will need to see some type of ID to assure themselves that it is a legitimate claim to use that check. No business wants to have to go to extremes to collect on a bad check and there are plenty of those around.
Race discrimination keeps coming up. Excuse me... I don't believe in that and any educated person should not either.
Wasn't there confusion just the other day about a person who won a lottery and about one arrested for a crime!! Same name different person. There are a few people who have very identifiable names but there are a lot John Smith's (etc) out there.
I think there is much ado about nothing! This is NOT a black vs white issue except for individuals who don't want to progress with the times we live in. Identify theft is one of the fastest growing things out there -- I want to know I can go to the polls and vote for whatever and whomever I want -- I don't want to be turned away because someone else took my name and voted for me. I want to cast my own ballot.
Posted by lisat (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll be in first thing in the morning to sign the petition! Maybe even walk a few blocks to get more signatures:)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem may arise because some people have several id's. When I worked at the hospital it was not all that unusual for someone to come in with 2 or 3 different Medicaid cards. When we started asking for birthdates to enter with the cards for verification, some people couldn't remember which birthday went with which card. That was clear medicaid fraud and was reported to the state.
And as for id's - well remember that the current congress and president would like for all of us in the future to have an implanted microchip for id purposes. So whats the difference now having a picture id?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44f5A8PCW...
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alas! the Liberal views of "bombingeight and Yh are being spread again? Yes, the Bomb as fallen again, yes I would rather be silly than a dying breed of the Owhampy tribe, which includes the former Clinton Staff. Even Yh talks about the old "Poll Tax"/ which no one mentioned, but yes a Liberal did! Yes, Liberals and the Owhampy "crowd" don't wish to hear the good Conservative Word, because they are afraid of the truth. Yes, everyone who reads these words need to voice their true feelings sbout the Voter I. D. and back it and it's promoters!
Posted by bperkins77 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
amen
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have always considered myself a conservative voter and have voted for both republicans and democrats. But the statements that Rushing make are neither conservative or liberal, they are just crazy rantings that embarass conservative people.
Voter ID is a no brainer, if you cant show a picture idea nowadays, you dont need to vote. Its to important of an act to toss up to the possibilities of fraud. I think that black voters should want this too, this ensures fairness of the system.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The government should not influence ANYBODY to NOT vote, and that is what voter ID does to some. It is usually just the lamer, poorer classes that are affected. That is why you always see Republicans pushing for these laws. They cannot even admit why they do it." - Yeahuhuh
Wow... You must be really handy to have around, since you apparently can read everyone else's thoughts and intentions - kinda like Superman with the x-ray vision. You've just got us all figured out, don't you? Puh-leaze.
What boggles my mind is that ANYONE, regardless of their political party, race, income level, eye color, shoe size, etc., would be opposed to voter ID. We are talking about determining the future of our city, state, and nation, and that's not important enough to show that you really are who you say you are?! How would you feel if you showed up at the polls and found that someone else had already taken your vote? Do you mean to tell me that the "poorest, lamest classes" should not have to show id ever for anything?
By the way, I have an idea to prevent dead people's votes from being fraudulently used. In addition to purging the voter lists, how about, ahem, having people show a photo id of themselves when they show up to vote. That way, if they're dead, they are most assuredly NOT going to show up and be able to prove that they have a right to vote.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mike 8427/ You are the one is not Conservative, believe me! You are beginning to sound Liberal/ Take all of my statements and reexamine them, you are taking everything out of context as usual! Your 2nd paragraph of your last input is very good and my same thoughts/How is that not Conservative? We agree on that statement! When you entered the statement about race in the picture, I was critized about being a bigot? Watch out for the fellow Liberals! I have never brought "race" into the light, only the Liberals and Socialists do this, because these persons are so afraid of the truth?
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushing, let me guess, I am liberal b/c you dont like what I say right? At the beginnnig of every one of your posts I can tell exactly what you are gonna say. Its gonna have some cheap comments at some somebody, some childish name calling, and then you will copy something you heard from someone else that day. I would never call that a conservative view-childish? Probably.
I mean nearly every one of your posts talks about "Owhampy" which I dont even know what that name means. I assume it is President Obama and although he wasnt my choice for president, he is currently commander in chief and thats that. I am certainly not going to bring him into every conversation like you do.
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
something as important as your vote should require at least what they require at Best Buy when using a credit card (a photo ID).
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mike mike Whew you are on it !!!!!!!!!!!!ouch!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by waterthief (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ill vote twice for it
Posted by libdem601 (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why doesn't the voter just show their driver's license or picture ID? You can get an ID from the Highway Patrol for little to nothing. This voter ID card is just another thing people would have to pay for. Also,some people already do not come out to vote because they think it is too complicated. Obtaining an ID card would cause even fewer people to turn out to vote.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mike whatever/ If you don't like what I blog on, well you just don't have to read it? Also, you can have Owhampy also and your President is not brought in every one of my conversations, that just shows you do not read all of my comments and take everything out of Context! I hope that you realize that this is still a Free Country at this minute and I can write anything i wish, just as you do?
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To begin with I am a registered Democrat. It doesn't mean that I vote that way in every election but I agree that having an ID is a perfectly logical way to eliminate any question that may arise when it comes to election validity. I live in LA. and it's not a problem for anyone here. Everything runs quite smoothly in my district. As someone stated everyone has some sort of photo ID. You have to have one to work or to draw welfare etc. What's the problem in using it to vote? Sounds to me that some people like voting or getting voted for more than once by one individual. Hmmmmmmm.
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh & one more thing.......When I lived in Natchez, because they didn't ask for ID, someone with the same name voted on my name, address etc. and I had to vote affidavit. Three times.... If ID had been given I would not have had that problem. If ID had been given at a store to cash a check from the same person, I would not have had to fight for my innocence in that matter. So what's wrong with stepping up to the plate and doing what's right?
Posted by double011 (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No Brainer!!!!!
Posted by juju (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article wears me out too much to even comment. All I need is 'mojo' to add to this and that will be it for me. But I will say, I agree with you 'lambchop,' I don't get the deal.
Posted by bombingeight (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderful! The "rushing" has convinced all that he is a "Conservative". Who cares? The point is voter ID. For the benefit of many, I never have to show ID when I purchase items at stores - Never. If I pay by check, I can write my driver's license number of the check, and all is well. What kind of society have you allowed to develop?
If you want photo IDs for voting, provide them at registration time. If your voter lists are so corrupted, cleanse them and re-register every voter in the county. No one really opposes producing ID at the polls. Even though I have never been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, I do not want law enforcement involved in voter registration.
Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Times have changed bombingeight, there are so many ruthless people around. You must be well known at the places you write checks and if you had ever had your checkbook stolen as I have you would want them to check ID before accepting a check. It didn't cost me money but it certainly cost me alot of my time and a buttload of stress. And I don't see where law enforcement would be involved. I show my ID everytime I vote, not a problem. I guess it's not a problem because I don't intend on breaking the law by casting more than one vote. As mentioned before, everyone has an ID. Even the people who supposedly would be "intimidated" otherwise how would they survive......no job, no welfare, no social security, no medicaid, no medicare etc. Everyone needs to "don't struggle, just float".
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is pretty dang simple, show ID or don't vote. Get over yourself. I don't own slaves, never did and had nothing to do with the plantations of the past!!! I don't give a damn about your feelings from the Ross Barnett days.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the best thing the gov. can do if they want to REALLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE is:
1. have a list of names
2. have a picture of the person next to the name
3. take a picture of the person and place it next to the original
it's done everytime you vote on something, so the pic stays current.
oh, and this is all done on computer, IT WON'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO DO AND COMPARE PICS AND IT WON'T TAKE UP LOTS OF TIME. it'll be as quick as a picture @ the DMV.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like that RobinBrownHayes...."don't struggle, just float". Seems if everybody in this world would take that approach, our world would be a better place to live in.
Picture ID to vote, plain and simple. Those officials who are against this must receive many votes illegally and cringe to see the law changed. It's almost if they ENCOURAGE illegal voting......hmmmm.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK juju, here I come------------don't faint....:-))
This is simple, can you believe this, we NEED to have voter identification. This is good for everyone.
Joyce, I know what you mean and understand the feelings some people have. I volunteer right now to go with anyone who has a problem or is afraid. I will help you. And I'm sure I can get Lord Boxley to help, too and bring all the friends we need. All you need do is email me.
The reason I know we need this wasproven in the 2000 presidential election in Florida...on TV no less. The republican, conservative government in place...Bush's brother was governor and that idiot secratary of state, Katherine Harris instructed their people at the polls to turn away minority voter's, especially black, and elderly people by telling them that even though they had their voter registration cards, they did not vote at this polling place, it had been changed. Their excuse was they did this ti 'accomodate' the voters. To make it easier and quicker to vote. Of course they didn't tell them until after they had waited on line for an hour to reach the door. This caused such inconvenience that most of the voters told this simply didn't have the time or the means to go to another polling place across town. They didn't vote. Bush won the electoral votes from Florida...But he lost the nationwide popular vote. Just think, if these thousands of people were allowed to vote, and the ballots were allowed to be completely recounted...Al Gore would have been the president most of the voters voted for instead of Bush and we'd be so much better off now.
Voter ID cards with their polling location should be mandatory. The voter registration office should be responsible for acheiving this goal. You register to vote and they take your picture, laminate your card, and zing...there you go, there's a picture of your smiling face, THE location where you vote, no argument, no misleading, no fraud. How much can a digital camera, an HP printer and a small laminator cost? I'm sure it would cost less than the cost of the loss of freedom to vote.
Vote against the incumbants----get rid of the parasites............
--mojo
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Al Gore as president and we would be better off? RIGHT.
However rushing did have a good comment there - if you don't like what he writes just don't read it. I sure don't. He's about as ignorant as they come, and although I am a very proud conservative I don't want to be in the same boat with him.
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dang, I agree with mojo on this one.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mojo and I agree. I'm looking outside to see if there are any flying pigs or what! ; )
Posted by sandbagger (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK people! Let me tell all of you what the problem is! All you got to do is go to a board meeting and listen!
Posted by Razzmatazz (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's wrong with using your drivers license????? Almost everyone has one. Those who don't could get a simple ID from the MDOT for free. It's spelled f.r.e.e. What's wrong with that. If it cost money someone would be up in the air hollering "disenfranchisement" or some kinda crap like that. Sounds like somebody is just too lazy to get off the sorry butts and go get one. Use the drivers license. LA has been doing it for years. Works fine over there.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ur right Razz, but those raising the stink about it are complaining b/c "some" of the minority (white and black) don't have a DL. this causes a ruckus b/c fingers are pointed and names are called and guess what, THE RACE CARD IS THROWN.......................pure and simple.
i been screaming DL and FREE ID cards (@ the DMV) from day 1.
Posted by stevejohnson (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Kpage and Razz...seems like the only reason this has been made into a race issue is because Mathis knows where her votes come from...the grave and out of town.
I can't stand the way people in this area immediately go to BLACK/WHITE, I was born and raised here and over the last month have made two very good black friends. We have had long conversations about these issues and really asked each other why this and why that...Maybe if everyone would sit down and talk to one another this world/town would be a better place. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have the mentality that "why can't we all get along" that is never going to happen... there are trashy idiots in every race that are too dumb or lazy to do anything with their lives, but for the most part if everyone would hold themselves and their families accountable the world would be a better place.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
there are trashy idiots in every race that are too dumb or lazy to do anything with their lives
That is the truest statement I have heard on here in a long time!!
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Flower/ I have never mentioned in any writings and I never will- your statement of me talking about AL Gore is out of context, but that is the "usual" for you, you just can't see the Forest for the trees! Also, I'm glad that you do not read my comments, but you just admitted that you did by your previous comment-see, you are the ignorant one! Bomb/ I really don't care what you think either-you have made your day!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, isn't there a law/ordinance ALREADY on the books that should keep voter rolls purged? I think there is. Like everything else, enforcement is the problem, not creating more laws for the same issues. From a moderate, isn't this what you conservatives prefer? Enforcement of the laws already on the books, or just creating more. I would LOVE to believe that the rantings behind such things as voter IDs are for the "good" and the cleansing of the rolls, but I don't believe it is. It's resonating to the point where it's becoming agenda driven, a "me" thinks "me" knows the agenda. Maybe it should pass. Those who think the rolls are full of the dead and voting tombstones may see an unwelcomed shift to their argument.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr--- where did you write about Al Gore? I put that in my write just for you...;-))
At least if Al had been president when 9/11 happened we would have gone after the real perps instead of using it as an excuse to go after the guy who took a shot at "W's" daddy in 1993. Sheesh, rushing, even you can see that's gotten us nothing but grief and has cost us not only 4334 American lives as of today, but trillions of dollars...which "W" hid from the public by not including the war debt in the deficit.....
We would have been better off with Potsie Webber than George Bush! ...that lying, no good, @@%$##,@###$@@%&**@#
--mojo
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rushing never talked about Gore, mojo did. The first part of my comment was to mojo, the second to rushing. Duh, talk about stupidity. Why would I refer to something rushing would never talk about in a million years. Bush was not that good, and several others would have been better - but just not Gore.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In 3000 words or less...you do know 3000 words don't you, flower? Who would have been better?...and why?
rushing knows only 8, tribal, ohwampy, democRATS, conservative, liberal, out of context...and the usual ifs, ands, buts, coulda, shoulda, and wouldas.............
stevejohnson, you're fast becoming one of my heroes..........
--mojo
Posted by stevejohnson (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you...I aim to please!
Posted by consider_reason (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The issue is there, stevejohnson and all others - because of what is right there in front of you.
You didn't say "friends" you said "black friends".
Whether or not they are black might not make a difference to you is not at odds here, the fact that they are classified not as simply friends, but by color.
I know in the context of what you are saying it made your point to identify them as such - but a truly developed community would not bring it up for any reason, it would not occur to them to do so.
The MS-LA is N O T a truly developed community.
Old money and politics run what goes on. Not the citizenry, but those that somehow get voted in repeatedly by hook or, most often, by crook.
I don't agree with but can see why people fall back on race as a reason - it is a by product of the towns we live in to try and find blame.
The blacks are on welfare, because they wont work.
The whites are controlling everything, and keeping the black man down.
Name your ignorant point of view - it is human nature to blame someone else so our own situations are somehow justified in their not being all that we think they should be.
The politicians continue, day after day, decade after decade, lying to a populous to stupid and uninformed by and large to realize that the new face promising old things will soon be stealing from them.
The law enforcement leaders are mostly a joke. Most are so politically connected that when one of the group has an itchy cheek, another one scratches it.
Skeletons, favors, tit for tat - they have been sucking the lifeblood out of the populace around here FOREVER and this blame the race game is perpetuated on all people by all colors of politicians.
ALL the problems with voting laws and purging, unbalanced budgets, unfair hiring, etc. etc. etc. can be place completely and entirely at the feet of the local politicians, and at the feet of the uninformed, ignorant populace that votes for whom they are told to - period.
ALL rules should apply to all people, and having anyone get an ID to vote is common sense - but only if you remove the perception of race being a tool.
And who uses that tool - be it for the liberals or the conservatives?
ALL politicians.
With so very few exceptions that I can leave my thumb out of the task, I can count the number of people in political life that are worth more than what you might step in while strolling a cow pasture on one hand.
They make the moves, they control the population, they get more for themselves while milking the community till dust comes out of the teat - our politicians.
Wise up everyone. The white man isn't your enemy. The black man isn't your enemy.
The people who run the campaigns, who run the city governments, who choose when and who to enforce the laws onto - THAT is the problem, the evil and the source of our issues.
Get involved, get educated - and stop the good ol boy train in it's tracks before it runs smooth over you.
AGAIN.
Posted by stevejohnson (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
C Reason... the only reason that I said "black friends" is to make the point that if all people of all races and creeds would actually sit down and talk intelligently and rationally like me and my new friends did the world would be a better place. Sometimes due to the ignorance on all sides that can't happen, what can I say, you can't fix stupid. How can you argue or say anything bad about that... The truth is race gets brough up just as much the other way around and everyone knows it's true, my point was that I'm (and most of the free world) are sick and tired of playing that game. The one and only thing that can change this crap is accountability (sp) holding people responsible for their actions and making the punishment an actual punishment. Take the tv's and weight rooms out of the prisons, it's not a country club I can't even afford a weight room and bring back the chain gaings...if you do the crime do the hard time, don't make it a vacation.
Steve Johnson strikes again!
Posted by consider_reason (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 2:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And I said that you mentioned them specifically "in the context of what you are saying it made your point to identify them as such".
Not enough of the free world is sick of playing the race card yet - namely, the politicians who use it to banter back and forth over such liberal leaned issues as "prisoner rights", etc.
Fixing stupid would start with changing the system that makes stupid laws... keeps stupid issues at the forefront to hide the real problems and easily fools the (partly) stupid populace into thinking they have at last found the shepherd to guide them every 4-6 years.
I hate the race card as well - but it's a string that gets played by so many people, for so many reasons, and played so well - that I dont think any of us will be alive to see it when somebody finally has the spine to fold that particular hand.
Posted by KidsWin (anonymous) on September 30, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this is a very old article, but I have had such fun reading comments and following some of your responses to other articles.
Forget photo ID, they are to easy to alter. FINGERPRINT, people do not seem to mind when cashing a check.
I am registered to vote in 3 different cities and was recently called to jury duty. Just because one county does not verify with the other counties.
Don't blame it on the expense for the poor people. In my town, the church loaded the vans took everyone to register to vote and picked them up on election day.
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