Democracy Has Prevailed.

September 29, 2006

They just don't want us to vote

New Poll Tax!

Do you have a passport?

How about an enhanced kind of driver's license or nondriver's identification, containing proof of citizenship?

You don't?

Well, then you won't be able to vote in 2010.

And, if you don't have photo ID, you won't be able to vote in 2008.

H.B. 4844 was passed in the U.S. House last week by the Republican majority. The legislation is tantamount to a poll tax (what folks used in the Old South to prevent Blacks from voting), as only 25% of Americans own passports, which cost about $100 to purchase. Poll taxes were eventually found to be unconstitutional, so of course now they are calling it a security measure even though "there is no evidence that a significant number of people are showing up at the polls pretending to be other people, or that a significant number of noncitizens are voting."

Republicans simply want to suppress the vote because less people at the polls is good for Republicans and bad for Democrats. Hell, they probably are praying for rain on November 7th because rain makes voters melt away.

But, you still have a chance to stop this bill from becoming law:

The bill is up for review by the Senate. Call Senators Santorum (202-224-6324) and Specter (202-224-4254) and let them known that you oppose the new voter ID legislation.

(More on this issue can be found here at The Nation.)

Support Emergency Paper Ballots

From True Majority:
Congress is about to go home, but first tell them to protect the election by providing money for emergency paper ballots.

Senators Boxer (D-CA) and Dodd (D-CT) have introduced a last-minute bill which would provide money to any state that is willing to print up the paper ballots. It's cheap, it's easy, and there's no reason not to do it. But time is short.

Tell your Senator to support the emergency paper ballot bill. Take action today!
Register to Vote By Text Message

The League is making it possible for you to register to vote via text messaging.

To register to vote by text message, send one of the following key words to 75444: "Pa" or "Pgh" or "LeaguePA" or "LeaguePgh" and you will get a text reply back telling you to enter your name and address. (The messages are sent via a secure channel and the information provided by registrants will be kept private.)

Within days, a partially completed voter registration form will be mailed to your house, which you must then complete (sign and choose a party) and mail to the Allegheny County Elections Division.

The address for the Allegheny County Elections Division is:
Division of Elections
Allegheny County
542 Forbes Ave., Room 601
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953

Now, how much easier can they make it for you?

(Post-Gazette article on this here.)

Help Register Voters

Traditional Field Training and Outreach
Saturday, September 30th, 9AM- 1:00 PM

Meet at America Votes, 401 Negley Ave, East Liberty

The League is starting their traditional voter registration and outreach program! Help them door-knock in targeted areas throughout the City and join us for a rally at America Votes beforehand.

Student-Led Canvass for Rendell/Casey
Saturday, September 30th, 10:30 AM-2:00 PM
Meet at Councilmember Bodack's Office
4825 Butler Street, Lawrenceville

5 comments:

spork_incident said...

I want my country back. Is that too much to ask?


.

Mark Rauterkus said...

I don't favor any type of ID program for voters. Voter fraud charges should be easier to engage and if done on a whim, the backlash should be just as serious as well. If you are caught cheating at the polls, you should have stiff actions against you. The enforcement, investigation and penalty -- including re-dos for elections -- all need a massive overhaul.

But, everyone should have a passport. Get a passport if you don't have one already.

Mark Rauterkus said...

Yes, it is too much to "ask for your country back."

Beggars get jack. To beg isn't becoming.

Furthermore, I don't want to go "back." There was a time, not long ago, that women could not vote. Or, when you had to own land to vote. I don't want to go back, I want to go forward -- I want to ADVANCE.

We need to demand. We need to insist upon things (actions, processes, ideals) and never fall into a slumbe. We need to wake others around us to the situations and desired goals.

Finally, these situations are less of a 'want' and more of a 'need.' Needs and wants are different. WE need our country, state, county, city and schools to do what they are intended to do.

Anonymous said...

Heaven forbid we have voter identification in order to prevent the ongoing efforts of voter fraud on the Democrats' part. I can see why Maria is upset.

Maria said...

TrollBraden makes his return to this blog to defend a poll tax --nice!