January 24, 2012
"Not Widespread" - Minimizing the Need for Voter I.D. By Cranking Up The Voter Fraud Threshold
Rep Charlene Lima (D-Cranston) has put in a bill to repeal Rhode Island's new voter id law.
What's interesting is that, in her arguments, Rep Lima is attempting to shift the metric by which the need for voter i.d. is measured.
Until now, opponents of voter i.d. have argued against its implementation by attempting to diminish the problem of voter fraud to the point of non-existence. It really wasn't a problem. There had been no prosecutions. Voter i.d. had been "a solution in search of a problem".
Now, however, as she has made the media rounds to discuss her bill, the rep from Lima ... er, Rep Lima has moved the goalpost. Now we don't need voter i.d. because voter fraud is "not widespread".
Presumably, this pronouncement is intended to be reassuring. Upon reflection, however, it is difficult to find solace in it.
Firstly, its credibility. As WPRO's John Depetro, among others, correctly pointed out, whether non-existent or widespread, it is not possible to quantify the extent of voter fraud in the absence of a voter i.d. requirement.
Secondly, the margin which it represents. Think about how many elections have ended in a vote count that was "not widespread". You don't have to ponder too long - Governor Chafee won by less than three percentage points.
Sorry, "not widespread" is not an acceptable level of voter fraud. Opponents of voter i.d. speak of protecting an individual's right to vote. Indeed, it should be - the right of all legitimate voters for their votes not to be diluted or negated by fraudulent vote casting.
So if a crime is not widespread, it shouldn't be illegal anymore?
Future murderers are rejoicing at Rep. Lima's logic.
Posted by: Patrick at January 24, 2012 4:36 PMWhat rate of voter fraud would be acceptable to Rep. Lima?
Posted by: Dan at January 24, 2012 4:42 PMOne instance of vote fraud cancels another's vote. Therefore, one instance is too much.
Posted by: Don Botts at January 24, 2012 4:47 PMFirst, to give John Kennedy's election as an example of how bad it can be;
Kennedy's margin in all of Illinois was 9,000 popular votes. Charges focused on Cook County (specifically Chicago) where Kennedy had won by a suspiciously overwhelming 450,000 votes. At least three people were sent to jail for election-related crimes, and 677 others were indicted before being acquitted by Judge John M. Karns, a Daley crony. The FBI had wire tap tapes concerning the vote manipulation in Chicago, according to procedure, the FBI turned it's findings over to the Attorney General. The AG was Robert F. Kennedy. The prosecutions died. It is undisputed historical fact that Mayor Daley pulled a lot of strings in the Kennedy White House. Is this "widespread" enough? I have always thought that the Kennedy Library should have been located in a Cook COunty graveyard.
Next, let us consider cemetaries voting. If the deceased are still registered, and a vote is cast in their name, normal methods of verifying votes will not diclose this. Votes cast are compared to registered voters, the deceased are still registered, no problem. That is one of the benefits of Voter ID.
In this day and age, a picture ID seems like a simple thing. To use my "town dump", I have to produce ID, prove that I reside in the town, and attach a numbered sticker to the windshield of a car registered in that town. To vote? Nothing?
Eric Holder gave a speech concerning "voter ID" (without mentioning the Black Panthers he refused to prosecute)he thought that "as many as" 5 million voters would be disenfranchised, "mostly Democrats". Why would RI seek to disenfanchise Democrats. One might think that was preposturous.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at January 24, 2012 4:48 PMActually there are quite a few cases of election fraud. Voter ID just doesn't address them. If you guys want to waste money solving imaginary problems, fair enough. Just don't claim to be a fiscal conservative while spending my money on your snipe hunt.
Posted by: Russ at January 24, 2012 5:04 PMReminds me of Katherine Harris's massive purge of eligible voters in Florida. Harris, along with state division of elections director Clay Roberts, and Governor Jeb Bush used an inaccurate ineligible-voter list that eliminated a disproportionate number of non-felon African Americans from Florida voter rolls.
It does not matter how you parse it, the so called voter fraud law is an attempt to reduce the number of Brown, Black and Latino voters. That is at the heart of it! The rest is just bull shot from a frightened group that sees its power eroding as its numbers diminish, and what was a minority growing into a majority.
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfills himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”
Alfred Lord Tennyson, “The Death Of Arthur.”
OldTimeLefty
I am BEGGING one of the do-gooder groups to get the names of all the projo obituaries in Prov., Pawt. and CF from Jan to August 2010 and find out how many of the deceased "voted" in November.
It's all public record baby.
"It does not matter how you parse it, the so called voter fraud law is an attempt to reduce the number of Brown, Black and Latino voters."
Right, that's why the law prohibits minorities from voting based on the "one drop rule." Oh wait, no it doesn't. It only requires a valid ID, which is available free to any U.S. citizen regardless of their color.
OTL, we already knew that you believed in overtly racist paternalism with respect to minorities, but I didn't know you actually believed them to be incapable of filling out a simple form.
Posted by: Dan at January 24, 2012 7:25 PMPosted by OldTimeLefty
"It does not matter how you parse it, the so called voter fraud law is an attempt to reduce the number of Brown, Black and Latino voters. That is at the heart of it! The rest is just bull shot from a frightened group that sees its power eroding as its numbers diminish, and what was a minority growing into a majority."
OTL, give it up!
"That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;"
Shakespeare, Henry V, St. Crispins Day
You may recognize it for "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers".
Posted by Dan
"Right, that's why the law prohibits minorities from voting based on the "one drop rule.""
Dan, the "corruption of the blood" law was 1/16th. Or, one great grandparent. If I recall my high school biology (this was taught) that is the point where white descendants can no longer produce a black child.
It's interesting how any mention of a common sense law like Voter ID brings the expected howls of outrage and denial from the usual left wing gang.
I'd love OTL to make a detailed explanation of exactly how Voter ID could disenfranchise the Black and Brown people he pretends to be so concerned for.He can't because there is no explanation.
About a month ago, some wag put up a page in the open section of the WI Democratic Party website announcing a registration drive focusing on cemetaries as part of the Recall Walker effort. I wish I had a screenshot before it was taken down.
Posted by: chuckr at January 25, 2012 10:07 AM"That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;"
That was the dedication from my first book. I always loved that speech, before band of Brothers, and even Braveheart where Mel Gibson delivered a speech inspired by Shakespeare's.
Posted by: michael at January 25, 2012 4:29 PMMichael
There is even hope there for OTL
"For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother;
be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition"
My German is rusty, but perhaps OTL can respond with a quote from Beowulf or the Neibelungen.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at January 25, 2012 7:30 PMI would really like to understand where the idea that presenting an ID to vote places a burden on anyone comes from. They are free (if not an actual driver's license) and easily obtained. It's nonsense to suggest that such a common sense requirement is racially motivated. There are very few transactions that adults engage in in this day and age that do not require identification. Voting is important! It is worth ensuring that the voter is who he/she says they are and that they are voting in the proper place - end of story!
Posted by: Bucket Chick at January 25, 2012 7:41 PMI suspect the Governor signed the law because he figured he'd be able to push through drivers' licenses for illegal aliens.Then there'd be new voting cannon fodder for the left WITH valid ID.
Call me paranoid,I don't care.People like Peter Asen and Steven Brown would love to see lots of illegals voting.