In Minnesota you hear the claim of those opposed to Voter ID that it would disenfranchise 200,000 people. Who are those people?
To be one of those disenfranchised, you would have to be a person who does none of the following:
- Drive a car.
- Write a check.
- Cash a check.
- Conduct a cash transaction of $5,000 or more.
- Get into a bar.
- Buy alcohol.
- Buy tobacco or nicotine products.
- Buy a firearm.
- Open a bank account.
- Use a credit card (in some cases).
- Apply for a business license.
- Apply for permission to hold a protest or rally.
- Get employment.
- Purchase a home or real estate.
- Rent a domicle.
- Rent a motor vehicle.
- Purchase a motor vehicle.
- Apply for a building permit.
- Apply for a hunting license.
- Apply for a fishing license.
- Initially register a motor vehicle.
- Qualify for food stamps.
- Qualify for public housing.
- Qualify for any government program.
- Qualify for Supplemental Security Income.
- Qualify for sales tax exemption for people aged 80 and above.
- Be a member of a Native American tribe.
- Be a member of the military.
- See a doctor.
- Get health insurance.
- Get a prescription.
- Get over-the-counter medicine that contains pseudo-ephedrine.
- Apply for Medicare.
- Apply for Medicaid (or other programs that automatically qualify for Medicaid).
- Take a commercial flight.
- Obtain a Post Office box.
- Serve on jury duty.
- Get into the Democratic National Convention
- Get a free turkey from the Union Gospel Mission (thanks to Bonnie).
- Register for SAT or ACT college entrance exams (thanks to Nancy).
Where are those vast numbers of people who don’t do any of the above? In fact the question is ludicrous. The people against Voter ID also want the people they say would be disenfranchised to have many of the benefits listed above. That is, they want “poor people to be covered by welfare”, and those people must already have a proper ID.
When you look at the facts, you would be very hard pressed to find anybody who does nothing on my list. Let alone 200,000 in Minnesota.
And when all is said and done, it is after all pretty easy if you don’t do any of the above to get a proper photo ID. “Disenfranchisement” is a bogus argument meant to conceal the true reason for opposition to Voter ID.
@Nancy: thanks. Adding.
Here’s another: take the ACT or SAT test. When you apply online to take the test you have to submit a photo of yourself. You then print out your “ticket” to get into the test and your photo is on it. When you get to the test you have to present two i.d.’s—-1. the ticket (with your photo on it) 2. Your driver’s license or other photo i.d. Another level of security is added when the test results are sent to your high school and school officials check that the name and picture from your “ticket” match each other. Why do they do they go to all these levels of security? To disenfranchise high school students from taking the test? No! In fact my high school son did all the steps by himself and I don’t know of any high school student who did not take the test because of the i.d. requirements. They have to go to all these levels of security because people cheat! My right to vote should be held to at least the same standard of security as the SAT test if not more! Those who say there is no cheating in our nation’s elections are naive.
@Bonnie: thank you for that one! I will add it into the list. If anybody comes up with more, I would like to grow the list.
I also read yesterday that anyone wanting a free turkey from the Union Gospel Mission needs to provide an ID as well!