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News & ArtsTuesday, October 2, 2012
2012 Romney Loses Pennsylvania
Posted by Goldy on Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 8:28 AM
A Pennsylvania judge today largely upheld the state's tough new voter ID law, but imposed a temporary injunction against implementation of its most crucial provision, assuring that Pennsylvanians will be able to vote in this November's general election without showing a state issued photo ID. The injunction only applies to this one election.
Shortly after passing the state's controversial voter ID law, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R) kvelled about his accomplishment: "Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done!" Well... not so much.
That said, the judge's ruling still leaves the law in place for 2013 and beyond, so the fight to protect the voting rights of thousands of young, poor, and elderly Americans continues.
1
Actually, just about all young, poor, and elderly Americans have IDs believe it or not - so it wouldn't make much of a difference either way.
2
Voter suppression, advocating policies that harm U.S. citizens, contempt of the Constitution, destruction of U.S. manufacturing. I could go on but you get the idea.
When will somebody seriously ask, why does the right wing hate The U.S. so much?
When will somebody seriously ask, why does the right wing hate The U.S. so much?
3
@1:
It is not about sheer amount, but about what percentage of those groups do not have ID when compared to other groups. It disenfranchises people of certain groups in greater numbers.
If it did not matter, your republican allies would not be trying so hard to implement these laws in order to steal the election.
But you know this already.
It is not about sheer amount, but about what percentage of those groups do not have ID when compared to other groups. It disenfranchises people of certain groups in greater numbers.
If it did not matter, your republican allies would not be trying so hard to implement these laws in order to steal the election.
But you know this already.
4
@1 "Actually, just about all young, poor, and elderly Americans have IDs believe it or not"
About 11 percent of adult citizens — more than 21 million people — lack a valid, government-issued photo ID, according to a study by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
How did you fit this fact past your neck? It still smells of shit.
About 11 percent of adult citizens — more than 21 million people — lack a valid, government-issued photo ID, according to a study by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
How did you fit this fact past your neck? It still smells of shit.
5
@1, no, they don't.
Grandma Griffin was blind (no driver's license), didn't travel (no passport), and paid cash for everything (no state ID for check writing purposes). So she couldn't have voted.
Student IDs do not function as "state-issued IDs" even when they come from state-run colleges and universities. The ID laws were carefully crafted to exclude any and all student ID cards. So, without a local driver's license, students can't vote.
Debit cards, cell phones, credit cards--all personally identifying, none are state-issued ID, and most people have them. ID laws are aimed at disenfranchisement of local undesirables, not cleaning up the vote.
Grandma Griffin was blind (no driver's license), didn't travel (no passport), and paid cash for everything (no state ID for check writing purposes). So she couldn't have voted.
Student IDs do not function as "state-issued IDs" even when they come from state-run colleges and universities. The ID laws were carefully crafted to exclude any and all student ID cards. So, without a local driver's license, students can't vote.
Debit cards, cell phones, credit cards--all personally identifying, none are state-issued ID, and most people have them. ID laws are aimed at disenfranchisement of local undesirables, not cleaning up the vote.
6
@1
Voting is a right.
Poll taxes where outlawed a long time ago.
But many racists and bigots keep trying to bring them back.
And people like you defend those racists and bigots.
Voting is a right.
Poll taxes where outlawed a long time ago.
But many racists and bigots keep trying to bring them back.
And people like you defend those racists and bigots.
7
@1, in case you don't read unregistered comments, here's a good one for you @4:
@1 "Actually, just about all young, poor, and elderly Americans have IDs believe it or not"
About 11 percent of adult citizens — more than 21 million people — lack a valid, government-issued photo ID, according to a study by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
How did you fit this fact past your neck? It still smells of shit.
.
.
Posted by It's Funny Because I'm Explaining Your Head Is Up Your Ass on October 2, 2012 at 9:05 AM
8
These laws are a solution to a problem that does not really exist. Voter impersonation fraud, that is, people actually going in and pretending to be a registered voter or someone else, is extremely rare.
I'm not talking about someone who puts Elmer Fudd on a voter registration form either (registration fraud vs voter fraud).
I'm not talking about someone who puts Elmer Fudd on a voter registration form either (registration fraud vs voter fraud).
9
Why didn't your grandma or someone help her get a state issued ID then? Students could do the same, or you can get a drivers license anyway if you don't drive (perhaps borrowing a car to take the test).
It's absolutely ludicrousness to think that debit cards and credit cards, or ANY commercial document should be ever be valid source of ID.
Remember personal responsibility?
Why is that that liberals love having the government force you to pay a tax, including the Chief Justice of the United States of America, and thus be subjugated to being identified and tracked but go into hysterics about showing ID to vote?
However, a solution is probably on its way that will please everyone. Given the very likely pending unfortunate second term of the Obama administration, the IRS will be tracking everyone on this tax. So it should be valid source of ID to show the IRS "I have heath insurance" card/receipt/whatever.
It's absolutely ludicrousness to think that debit cards and credit cards, or ANY commercial document should be ever be valid source of ID.
Remember personal responsibility?
Why is that that liberals love having the government force you to pay a tax, including the Chief Justice of the United States of America, and thus be subjugated to being identified and tracked but go into hysterics about showing ID to vote?
However, a solution is probably on its way that will please everyone. Given the very likely pending unfortunate second term of the Obama administration, the IRS will be tracking everyone on this tax. So it should be valid source of ID to show the IRS "I have heath insurance" card/receipt/whatever.
11
I'd buy "personal responsibility" if this law were to be implemented, say, in three months, giving citizens a year to get their shit together. As is, it was implemented a month before a presidential election, often in places unequipped to distribute the necessary ID within the requisite timeframe. I mean that there are literally not enough hours in the day between now and the election for the respective DMV's to go through the process of getting everyone an ID who needs one.
This was a brazen attempt to disenfranchise specific segments of the voting population; segments statistically more likely to vote Democrat. To pretend otherwise is to be willfully ignorant, at this point.
But likely, damage has already been done. People on the fence, or only marginally informed, are likely going to stay home because they HEARD that they won't be able to vote, so why bother?
This was a brazen attempt to disenfranchise specific segments of the voting population; segments statistically more likely to vote Democrat. To pretend otherwise is to be willfully ignorant, at this point.
But likely, damage has already been done. People on the fence, or only marginally informed, are likely going to stay home because they HEARD that they won't be able to vote, so why bother?
12
@9,
Christ, you are obtuse.
Why are conservatives introducing these new voter restrictions now? If they've been so concerned with voter fraud, why didn't they push for this a year or two ago?
Because they don't want people to even have the TIME to get proper ID.
And how are poor people going to "borrow a car?" How are poor people going to afford the fees to get a driver's license they only need for voting?
The conservatives are willfully, and purposefully making it difficult or impossible for poor people, likely liberal voters, to be able to vote.
Your vapid "the affordable health care act is a TAX!!!" rant is a misplaced and ignorant stretch as well. The government has been forcing you to pay a tax your whole life. Do you like roads? Do you like that banks can't simply declare bankruptcy and take your money with no consequences? Do you like having a national defense? Those things cost money. Taxes. Deal with it or move to Somalia.
By the way, if you've ever bought health insurance or if you've ever gone to a doctor or the hospital, then you've already been paying for everyone else's health care via "a TAX!!!" of increased insurance and/or medical costs to cover people who can't or don't pay. The affordable care act simply reduces that cost that you already pay.
Christ, you are obtuse.
Why are conservatives introducing these new voter restrictions now? If they've been so concerned with voter fraud, why didn't they push for this a year or two ago?
Because they don't want people to even have the TIME to get proper ID.
And how are poor people going to "borrow a car?" How are poor people going to afford the fees to get a driver's license they only need for voting?
The conservatives are willfully, and purposefully making it difficult or impossible for poor people, likely liberal voters, to be able to vote.
Your vapid "the affordable health care act is a TAX!!!" rant is a misplaced and ignorant stretch as well. The government has been forcing you to pay a tax your whole life. Do you like roads? Do you like that banks can't simply declare bankruptcy and take your money with no consequences? Do you like having a national defense? Those things cost money. Taxes. Deal with it or move to Somalia.
By the way, if you've ever bought health insurance or if you've ever gone to a doctor or the hospital, then you've already been paying for everyone else's health care via "a TAX!!!" of increased insurance and/or medical costs to cover people who can't or don't pay. The affordable care act simply reduces that cost that you already pay.
13
@9
"Why is that that liberals love having the government force you to pay a tax, ..."
You may have not understood the issue.
The Republicans are trying to impose this "tax".
Not the Democrats.
And poll taxes have been deemed illegal by the courts.
Only racists and bigots keep trying to bring back poll taxes.
And you are, once again, defending racists and bigots.
Because your life is so sad that this is the best option you have right now.
"Why is that that liberals love having the government force you to pay a tax, ..."
You may have not understood the issue.
The Republicans are trying to impose this "tax".
Not the Democrats.
And poll taxes have been deemed illegal by the courts.
Only racists and bigots keep trying to bring back poll taxes.
And you are, once again, defending racists and bigots.
Because your life is so sad that this is the best option you have right now.
14
@1 Actually GDfR this whole voter ID non-sense is just another example of the Republican party choosing to solve a problem that doesn't exist in order to avoid actually governing.
After all governing is hard work (see G.W. Bush's whine), campaigning on actual issues is hard work (see Ann Romney's whine). Hard work is hard work, the Republican party doesn't like hard work, so they waste our time instead.
After all governing is hard work (see G.W. Bush's whine), campaigning on actual issues is hard work (see Ann Romney's whine). Hard work is hard work, the Republican party doesn't like hard work, so they waste our time instead.
15
@12: My point got muddled. I meant to say that it is not so much the tax but the process of being tracked as to your government requirement whether it be a mandate or a tax -- with a dig at Roberts I admit. If getting an ID is such a hurdle, then how come liberals don't think that the health mandate/tax (and the bureaucratic paperwork it entails) is a hurdle as well?
If you're so willing to say that everybody should pay taxes (and I agree, they should) then a small fee for a state issued ID or a little more for a driver's license should fall in line seamlessly with progressive Democratic thinking. After all, this is not Somalia.
And voters can still request provisional ballots if they don't have the ID at the time or it got lost or stolen.
If you're so willing to say that everybody should pay taxes (and I agree, they should) then a small fee for a state issued ID or a little more for a driver's license should fall in line seamlessly with progressive Democratic thinking. After all, this is not Somalia.
And voters can still request provisional ballots if they don't have the ID at the time or it got lost or stolen.
16
@ #1 and #9: I'll take you at your word, tat you're very concerned about voter fraud that doesn't exist, so you're all in favor of a notional ID card, provided free to every citizen, right?
Oh and while we're on the subject of being worried about problems that don't exist. I once rode The Dog from Philadelphia to Corpus Christi, from Charlotte to Biloxi I was sitting next to a guy very concerned about an invasion from Saturn, if that was you, you owe me for the bottle of Bourbon you swiped from my bag while I was sleeping
Oh and while we're on the subject of being worried about problems that don't exist. I once rode The Dog from Philadelphia to Corpus Christi, from Charlotte to Biloxi I was sitting next to a guy very concerned about an invasion from Saturn, if that was you, you owe me for the bottle of Bourbon you swiped from my bag while I was sleeping
17
@15,
The health mandate IS a hurdle; however, the government isn't saying "everyone must have health insurance in one month or we'll fine you." They're giving a hell of a lot of time to jump the hurdle. Years.
There MUST be no fee whatsoever to vote. Period. Voting is a right, not a privilege. Voting must, MUST, be accessible and free to all citizens.
Drivers licenses can have a fee. State IDs can have a fee. But any ID that is required to vote MUST BE 100% FREE.
I feel like I should be amazed that you would even suggest a poll tax, but you're a republican, so I guess I'm not amazed at all.
The health mandate IS a hurdle; however, the government isn't saying "everyone must have health insurance in one month or we'll fine you." They're giving a hell of a lot of time to jump the hurdle. Years.
There MUST be no fee whatsoever to vote. Period. Voting is a right, not a privilege. Voting must, MUST, be accessible and free to all citizens.
Drivers licenses can have a fee. State IDs can have a fee. But any ID that is required to vote MUST BE 100% FREE.
I feel like I should be amazed that you would even suggest a poll tax, but you're a republican, so I guess I'm not amazed at all.
18
@15
"My point got muddled."
No. You're defending the policies of racists and bigots.
That's pretty clear.
"If getting an ID is such a hurdle ..."
Who cares how much of a "hurdle" it is?
Voting is a right.
You don't know what a "right" is, do you?
Poll taxes have been ruled illegal and unconstitutional.
Deal with it.
"My point got muddled."
No. You're defending the policies of racists and bigots.
That's pretty clear.
"If getting an ID is such a hurdle ..."
Who cares how much of a "hurdle" it is?
Voting is a right.
You don't know what a "right" is, do you?
Poll taxes have been ruled illegal and unconstitutional.
Deal with it.
19
There's been like two cases if in person voter fraud in the last 12 years. We're talking millions in tax payer money spent to fight a crime virtually never happens.
22
@20
"I didn't write the word 'poll'."
Who said that you did?
The point was that what you are endorsing IS a poll tax.
Whether you want to admit it or not.
You are an idiot.
Poll taxes are illegal.
Only racists and bigots support poll taxes.
And you defend racists and bigots and poll taxes.
"I didn't write the word 'poll'."
Who said that you did?
The point was that what you are endorsing IS a poll tax.
Whether you want to admit it or not.
You are an idiot.
Poll taxes are illegal.
Only racists and bigots support poll taxes.
And you defend racists and bigots and poll taxes.
23
@20 it looks like you missed that part in US history where it used to be a standard to pay a 'poll tax ' to vote. This is why the voter ID laws run into existing law. You can't charge people vote, thus requiring them to pay for something to let them vote is in violation of the law.
Unless, you want state governments to give everyone their ID for free. Doubt it.
Unless, you want state governments to give everyone their ID for free. Doubt it.
24
@9,
Wow. I knew you were an idiot. I knew you were an asshole, but even I was naive enough not to think you were that much of a fucking scumbag.
Eat shit and die, troll.
Wow. I knew you were an idiot. I knew you were an asshole, but even I was naive enough not to think you were that much of a fucking scumbag.
Eat shit and die, troll.
26
gdfr, it's hysterical watching you try to defend this. You come out w/ the "liberals should love this, it fits right in w/ there philosophy" argument, w/o once realizing the stupidity of that tactic. Now, I don't agree with your position, but for the sake of argument, let's assume you're right: forcing everyone to get a voter ID is a liberal ideal. What you're saying is that the GOP (the sole source of these laws) are all actually... Liberals In Disguise! So why aren't you bitching & moaning that these governors & state legislatures are all RINOs & demanding they be voted out?
See how stupid that argument is? And it gets worse: Voter IDs are a governmental intrusion, an increased government expense, a boon-doogle, a waste of taxpayer's money to solve a problem that doesn't exist. If you're a real fiscal conservative, you'd be against them. The only "greater good" these laws serve is to prevent those who tend to vote liberal from voting.
Which is something I've been saying for over a decade: The GOP has only one single value, one single goal, which is to remain in power. They don't value America, or their fellow Americans. Simple as that.
See how stupid that argument is? And it gets worse: Voter IDs are a governmental intrusion, an increased government expense, a boon-doogle, a waste of taxpayer's money to solve a problem that doesn't exist. If you're a real fiscal conservative, you'd be against them. The only "greater good" these laws serve is to prevent those who tend to vote liberal from voting.
Which is something I've been saying for over a decade: The GOP has only one single value, one single goal, which is to remain in power. They don't value America, or their fellow Americans. Simple as that.
27
@20: "I saw this dude eat a funny-smelling brownie, and then half an hour he was stumbling around demanding Taco Bell."
"..."
"What? No, I never said anything about marijuana!"
"..."
"What? No, I never said anything about marijuana!"
28
For the poorest of the poor, including college students, home addresses may change every few months. What are they supposed to do, buy a $30 state ID every time they change addresses? People should be able to register at their current address up until the registration deadline (here in Ohio, that's 10/9) and then vote where they are fucking registered, on the basis of their *god damn signature*, hassle-free. If I see Ken Blackwell in the polls again this year, someone will have to hold me back.
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