Download a lobbying pack here! http://distractiblehominid.blogspot.com/2009/03/l...

Download a lobbying pack here! http://distractiblehominid.blogspot.com/2009/03/l...

Agreed. A crime is a crime and hate crimes are ridiculous. Replace that flag with a U.S. flag and everyone would be enraged.

I suppose you mean that the amendments prohibit the denial of suffrage. Agreed.

"But ultimately, there is no right to vote."
I agree that the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly state that there is a right to vote. I do not agree that a 'right to vote' does not exist though. The U.S. Constitution does not enumerate all of our rights-- that's why the 9th Amendment exists. If our rights exist only because they are explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution then we do not have a right to privacy or travel either.

The primary role of government is to protect the rights of individuals. The Constitution is phrased to restrain the government from infringing on our rights, i.e., 'no law may restrict...<insert right here>". Look at the bill of rights. It doesn't say, for example, that we have a right to religion or free speech-- it says Congress cannot make law prohibiting these things-- our rights.

The founders were unable to agree on suffrage, so they agreed to allow each state to determine its own criteria. In Pennsylvania, our right to vote is stated in Article VII, Section I of the PA Constitution:
"Every citizen 21 years of age, possessing the following qualifications, shall be entitled to vote at all elections subject, however, to such laws requiring and regulating the registration of electors as the General Assembly may enact."

Consequently, our right to vote is reaffirmed in Bush v. Gore:
" The individual citizen has no federal constitutional right to vote for electors for the President of the United States unless and until the state legislature chooses a statewide election as the means to implement its power to appoint members of the Electoral College. U.S. Const., Art. II, §1."
All States have statewide elections to vote in elections and therefore individual citizens have a 'federal constitutional right to vote'.

Also from Bush v. Gore:
"When the state legislature vests the right to vote for President in its people, the right to vote as the legislature has prescribed is fundamental; and one source of its fundamental nature lies in the equal weight accorded to each vote and the equal dignity owed to each voter. The State, of course, after granting the franchise in the special context of Article II, can take back the power to appoint electors."
All States have vested the right to vote to the people and no state has taken back the power to appoint electors, and therefore we the people retain our right to vote.

"This law is now in Obama's toolbox to use against those that he considers to be a threat to him. "
I would give you 1,000 thumbs up for this if I could.

"I don't believe that the PATRIOT ACT serves the cause of liberty and it is fool hearty to think that you can trade liberty for security."
I would give you 10,000 thumbs up for this if I could.

Gah, make it stop... America is a country founded on individualism, not collectivism. ALL or NO savings accounts should be tax exempt! Stop the special treatment. Ugh, now I have to stay up late drafting a letter to Casey.

I know what 'leftist' means. I also know that people sometimes use the term in a derogatory manner. Considering that you know nothing of my political ideology, that was your intended use.

I didn't address Georgia's framework because it is irrelevant. If you've read any of my comments, you know that I have not made any claims of discrimination, racism, or other 'silly leftist arguments'. I simply believe that the state should take responsibility for securing it's end of the voting process rather than requiring people to get photo ID cards. What's leftist about expecting the government to do what it's supposed to be doing? They won't even audit the electronic voting machines!

The system needs to be fixed. Period. Even with the Photo ID requirement, that will not prevent people from being registered in multiple states, and capable of voting more than once. Should a photo proof be needed after the system is fixed, put a photo on the registration card itself.

Ah, name calling-- The ultimate expression of civility and intelligence...

Oh come on... you associated disagreement with 'silly leftist arguments'. lol

Because ID is required for one thing does not provide justification for needing ID for something unrelated. I'm opening another can of worms, but I don't think ID should be needed to be cold medicine either... or 'air in a can' to clean my computer.

This isn't a left/right argument. I'm far from being leftist. Why are all discussions reduced to that? It's counterproductive and silliness.

Once again my point remains. Photo ID is not required to own, so it shouldn't be required to vote. If you want people to verify their identity with a Photo, alter the voter registration card to include a photo.