Why Don't the Republicans want the People to Vote?
It is bad enough that the Republicans passed the onerous Voter Id bill last year when there was no voter fraud problem to solve (and the courts have suspended the law already), but now Republicans want to stop organizations like the League of Women Voters from registering citizens of South Carolina.
House Bill 4549 would throw up serious barriers to third party groups registering voters and require keeping and reporting weekly to the election commission. The bill would in effect keep Churches, Boy Scouts, the League of Women Voters and AAUW from registering people to vote due to the heinous fines imposed for record keeping. For example if a person picks up a registration form from your stack and sends it in and, you don't record it and report it, it's a $100 fine.
I wish the Republican leaders would work on real problems, like making our public schools better, fixing our infrastructure, and tackling the unemployment problem.
Does anybody in Summerville really think we need to stop the Boy Scouts, League of Women Voters and AAUW from registering voters? Please post your comments!
stanley seigler
5:13 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
@Richard Hayes: "Why Don't the Republicans want the People to Vote?"
it's so painfully obvious...it's not all people, just the BO supporters. the BO haters are being used by the koch bros so they can become wealthier and more powerful...well it's not just the kochs...but, the kochs epitomize/personalize the GOP ideology...but;
as mentioned: perhaps the kochs and BO haters have overplayed their hand of race cards. their campaign to suppress BO votes just may be a voter turn out, rallying cry, to insure BO/DEMs win in a landslide...
most voters are not as stupid as kochs-etals think..."and you can fool some of the people, etcetc..." in any event;
it will be fun to watch the rationalizations used to justify this act of stupidly. just hope it's better than the boy/girl scouts are communists.
BTW churches are communist organizations that believe in a God.
re: wish the Republican leaders would work on real problems...
real problems are NOT their priority! making BO a "one termer" is their JOB #1...perhaps when BO is reelected they will work on real problems.
BTW as all know we have been around this bush several times and asked (NOT answered) several times:
why was SC strongly opposed to the 2005 Real ID act...and after BO elected strongly support a voter ID law...
Richard Hayes
8:46 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
You are so right, and we need everybody to understand that this strategy is un-American, Un-democratic, and reflects poorly on the Republican party.
Gretchen
8:29 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Goodness ! Everything seems to be the fault of the GOP. Isn't it strange that BO had control of both houses of Congress for two whole years, and yet he could not fix the problems. Now EVERYTHING is blamed on the GOP. Seems like the blame game is the only thing BO can really do well. As for VOTER's ID -- it's a very good idea and should be made the law of the land. All these other European countries must show proof of their identity before they vote. Why shouldn't we? After all, BO wants us to be more like Europe.
reg
10:09 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
actually, Gretchen, throughout Europe and most of the rest of the modern world, citizens only need show their voter registration card to vote. Same thing we've been doing here since ... well, since voting first take place in this country.
Richard Hayes
9:03 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
We are talking South Carolina, and yes, when you are in charge you are accountable, so the Republicans must be accountable. We are also not talking about Voter ID here, but a strategy to prevent Voter Registration by even the League of Women Voters. Suggest you read the first letter to the editor by the President of the League of Women Voters in the Post & Courier today.
SDR
4:05 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Maybe you could conduct a class on document chain of custody. That would avoid most of what you complain about.....but thats what you do, right?
stanley seigler
10:51 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@Gretchen:
re: "As for VOTER's ID..."
if it's a good thing...what's your explanation why SC strongly opposed a similar 2005 Real ID Act...went on record saying they would not enforced it..."should be made the law of the land"...would have been since 2005 if SC and a few others had vowed not to enforce it...
other than BO being elected...what's the different now in the minds of pro voterID law advocates and the 2005 act which they vowed not to enforce...
think we all know, in our hearts of hearts, the only difference is BO's election...and know the reason why BO election changed minds re ID laws.
all too many cant get over the fact there is a very bright, christian, most moral and compassionate, Black man in the white house.
get over it folks...stop dividing our country with petty prejudices...
old one liner come mind: when rosa parks got to heaven and asked, "where shall i sit?"...st peter replied, "miss rosa take any seat in the house...well;
BO can come to dinner anytime...anywhere
stanley seigler
12:55 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@Gretchen:
re: Now EVERYTHING is blamed on the GOP...
not true...just the unfunded iraq war we were lied into; just the 2008 recession; and the 1929 depression...AND;
in general the voodoo, trickle down, no reg free market, economic policies of the GOP...which have not worked...will not work... that led to the largest wealth (CLASS) gap...1% v 99%...in our history...and GOPs want more of the same. UNBELIEVABLE
re: "both houses of Congress for two whole years, and yet he could not fix the problems."
it is being fixed...most economic indicators are trending up...the most obvious is the stock market: 2009 DJA at 6000; 2011 DJA at 12000...and;
BO actually did NOT have control for two years...and even if he did he could not turn the ship around in two years after a decade of voodoo trickle down...especially with an obstructionist GOP minority.
BTW if a GOP (say a romney) had been elected in 2009...GM would be bankrupt...millions of jobs lost.
NOW!
"General Motors is once again the world's leading automaker, selling more than 9 million vehicles worldwide last year. That's great news for the local employment rolls, ...."
http://www.13abc.com/story/16581946/2012/01/23/gms-success-leading-to-more-toledo-jobs
of course as a bleeding heart, liberal, redneck, i am biased...please help correct my bias: give me some GOP success stories...
BTW GOPs will not even be successful in their JOB #1: make BO a one "termer"...BO in a landslide.
SDR
2:15 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
News Flash.....GM did file for bankrupcty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Chapter_11_reorganization
What a maroon.
reg
2:35 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Yes, SDR, GM did file for Chapter 11, which is a format of payment to debtors that allows a company to continue operating at the same pace. It did NOT file Chapter 7, which is a liquidating and closing format of bankruptcy for companies. And, btw, GM is no longer in that Chapter 11 format because (aided by that format of debt payment) it is now back in regular business without the overwhelming debt.
stanley seigler
3:37 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
@SDR: "GM did file for bankruptcy.
tho not the point, GM indeed did file...thanks for the opportunity to clarify...USA (BO/DEMs) invested in the bankrupt GM...GOPs (mitt) said no bailout/investment...
repeating the results of the investment/bailout (BO's policy):
"General Motors is once again the world's leading automaker, selling more than 9 million vehicles worldwide last year. That's great news for the local employment rolls, ...."
http://www.13abc.com/story/16581946/2012/01/23/gms-success-leading-to-more-toledo-jobs
what is so ironic...the GOPs are supposed to be more business friendly than the DEMs...
so many myths the GOPs perpetuate...the economy and business actually do better under DEM administrations...
"no reg free market" only work where there are no greedy bastards...ie, in nirvana.
BTW the point was/is...the BO's policies saved GM...sorry this was missed by some who engage in adhoms/hyperbole vice facts.
Ann
7:39 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Seems most GOP voters consider this to be just another chapter in the ever expanding blame game, it's not worthy of comment.
Richard Hayes
8:22 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ann-- this is not a matter of blame - this is a Bill in the South Carolina legislature that would throw up serious barriers to third party groups registering voters and require keeping and reporting weekly to the election commission. The bill would in effect keep Churches, Boy Scouts, the League of Women Voters and AAUW from registering people to vote due to the heinous fines imposed for record keeping
SDR
2:13 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Is the Democrat party the"anti-responsiblity" party. The bill has NO restrictions on the collection of voter registration. Fines only apply for poor stewardship of the PEOPLE'S information.
The Democrat party continues to be irrelevant in SC politics .....because of this type of policy statement.
stanley seigler
4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
@SDR
asked not answered: why was voter suppression legislation not required prior to BO's election...
"The Democrat party continues to be irrelevant in SC politics" because they do not pander to the racist policies (eg, voter ID laws)...which doesn't speak well of my beloved south carolinians.
reg
2:39 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Yes, it *does* have restrictions. It even calls for a person to submit a certified birth certificate even if they're only changing their address w/ a county election commission so that they'll be voting in the correct precinct and district. *certified*, please note - meaning that a person could be left to pay $45 to $70 (pending on their state of birth) for the right to vote, which is illegal, and that leaves them subject to the mercy of the issuing state to get that certified copy in time. (If they don't get it and submit to a county at least 30 days before the election, they can't vote.)
SDR
4:03 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
You didnt seem to mind when billions of dollars in GM stocks and bonds were wiped out. What's a few bucks for an Id i=one must have to register to vote and file a claim for government assistance.
reg
4:33 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Oh, you mean that stock that was worth $2.92 cents in November 2008 and that is now worth $25.75? And now that I've defeated you in *that* argument, let's back to the actual topic: The Republican Party, in every state that it has a majority in its state govt, is trying to take away people's right to vote. That could be because the GOP is today ranked only third in number of registered voters (trailing Dems and independents by a sizable margin). The minority in office are trying to hold on to their offices, and by blocking others' rights to vote. And that's criminal, in my opinion. Defeats the founding purpose of our country, too. Our ancestors, who came here to escape such representational suppression, are rolling over in their graves. And if you actually subscribe to that Marxist point of view, SDR ... then go. Leave our country. Go to North Korea, which is operating in the same restrictive way you seem to endorse.
Richard Hayes
2:39 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Don't bet on it. Sheheen barely lost to Haley in 2010, and now Ms. Haley is being ignored by her own party. Democrats, representing the people, will win the Governorship in 2014.
SDR
4:01 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Why doesnt the Democrat party want to protect my vote?
Why doesnt the Democrat Party want to protect personal information from Identity theft?
Why cant Democrats read a simple bill and comprehend what it says and does
Why isnt the Democrat party relevant?
www.libertymind.com
reg
4:37 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Now your using that Rovian method, SDR. When you carry baggage that can be used against you, or have committed a crime you don't want others to know about, all you have to do is blame the other side for doing the same or similar thing - that way, when the other side tries to respond with that information about you, you can say they're just pointing fingers. News for ya - Rove ain't in the White House anymore; his tactics ain't gonna work.
stanley seigler
4:48 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
@SDR
thanks for the questions.
re: Why doesnt the Democrat party want to protect my vote?
your vote has been and is protected...what makes you think it is not...voters in states such CA feel their vote is protected and has been for decades...and are not wasting time pushing koch bro written voter ID laws.
re: Why doesnt the Democrat Party want to protect personal information from Identity theft?
nothing to do with voterID laws...but why do you feel the DEMs do not want protect your personal information...how do voterID laws protect personal information...
re: Why cant Democrats read a simple bill and comprehend what it says and does
DEMs can/do read a bill written by the koch bros and comprehend exactly what it says...this bill says: suppress BO voters.
re: Why isnt the Democrat party relevant?
it is relevant in the majority of our country...BO in a 2012 landslide...get on board SC.
NOW
can you answer the question: why was voter suppression legislation not required prior to BO's election...was there massive indiviual voter fraud in the 2008 elections...examples please.
SDR
8:03 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Voter fraud, like many moral crimes,is not against the law until there is a law to enforce. In the case of distracted driving, people no it is wrong but will do it until the is a law against it. I have no way to detect voter fraud, that would be by the poll workers, photo ID gives them a tool to use against voter fraud. Why are democrats against protecting the value of my vote?
SDR
8:04 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Reg, what are you accusing me of?
reg
10:25 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
????? Voter fraud *is* against the law. You must not be paying attention - go see what Indiana's Secretary of State (*a republican*) just got convicted of the other day: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57371606/ind-election-chief-found-guilty-of-voter-fraud/ And distracted driving is against the law, too. http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/state-laws.html
reg
10:33 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Once you turn 65, you are not required to get a new state-issued ID unless you're still driving. You can keep the same one as your legal identification from that point on - that's respect, courtesy, convenience, and means of compliance for seniors. A bank is required to continue taking that ID. A court room is required to accept it as legal ID, too. But under that new (and now EX) law, those seniors would *not* have been able to vote. And under the current/now restored law - you still have to show something as validation that you are who you say you are, but not just a state ID. Your voter registration card, for example - which you had to show ample identification in order to get to begin with; a work or student ID w/ photo.
stanley seigler
4:03 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
@SDR: "...I have no way to detect voter fraud..."
it's getting a little silly but if it helps people (and state of SC) understand the koch bros are making fools of them...then silly beats foolish 8 days a week.
what could be a simpler method of detection:
only names on the precinct list of registered voters can vote. you gives the election official your name. the official marks name off and gives you a ballot.
pls dont ask the stupid question how does the official know it's me. the official doesn't have to know. all she/he needs is a name and address that matches one on the list that hasnt been marked off...(voter registration has to be accordance with current regislation laws)
try to think logically: how would you commit fraud and how would anyone go about organizing enough individual crazies to fraudulent vote in numbers that would change election results.
impossible to believe the kochs could get away with such a stupid scheme to suppress BO voters...of course they couldn't if they didn't have the support of the BO haters...and
why are there so many BO haters...anyone want to guess...
there is absolutely no reason one would or could commit voter fraud at the ballot box...the only fraud possible is by crooked election officials.
re: "This is like shooting fish in a barrel"
more like, "if you're [SDR] in a hole, stop digging"...
SDR
8:11 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
This is like shooting fish in a barrel.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/17/us-gm-ipo-idUSTRE6AB43H20101117
New GM IPO $33
Current price $25
reg
10:19 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Now you're talking about a different - even completely brand new - stock, which uses the ticker of GM.UL, not GM. (Which, if you knew finance and investment, you'd have seen by the note of IPO - "initial purchase offer" or "initial public offering.")
SDR
9:15 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
No, I dont know much about stock and finance, but this is the IPO for the New GM, After the US Government violated contract law and dumped bondholders and they are underwater by 5 of the 20 billion the was pumped into GM.
reg
10:10 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
"violated contract law and dumped bondholders" - you're wrong about that, too. You're referring to the UAW circumstance, in which the corporation owed UAW billions. That legal obligation was paid for, as was legally required - and some bondholders (who'd been pocketing the money that UAW was legally owed to begin with) whined about it afterwards. TOUGH. They money they stole got paid back to those who were legally entitled to it. Problem with it? (even more echoes of Marxist economics from you) As for the decline in GM.UL .... guess what? Common following that time period from an IPO. (You admit you don't know much about this topic, too.) Opens at one price, up 10% in one day .... then it dramatically declines after many of the IPO responders dump it for the quick return. It then begins a paced increase (like this one is now doing, if you'd pay attention to the topics you introduce). That affects no one but those shareholders (and 5% of them own 80% of the shares). Stop introducing topics you hear on Rush Limbaugh's show - he doesn't know the topics, and he hopes like crazy that you don't, either.
stanley seigler
1:43 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
@reg: "...Stop introducing topics heard on Rush Limbaugh's show - he doesn't know the topics, and he hopes like crazy that you don't, either."
i had never listened (except for clips) to limbo...now i know where GOPtps come up with their misinformation and unsubstantiated "facts".
does limbaugh begin to comprehend the harm he does to satisfy his ratings...aka his greed.
stanley seigler
1:44 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
@SDR
not sure i understand how to evaluate the GM, GM.UL stock prices. but the bottom line is as said and;
repeating the results of the investment/bailout (BO's policy):
"General Motors is once again the world's leading automaker, selling more than 9 million vehicles worldwide last year. That's great news for the local employment rolls, ...." http://www.13abc.com/story/16581946/2012/01/23/gms-success-leading-to-more-toledo-jobs
GOPtpers' SOP seem to be, just through out crap and hope some sticks...there are very few if any supporting references...not to mention the just pure misinformation.
reg has done a reasonable job of correcting some mis-statements...do you have any response to support your statements.
the bottom line is GM has done better and created jobs...thanks to BO's investment policies...and so has business...to repeat: DJA 6000 in 2009. DJA 12000 in 2011.
still need more jobs...but most (all) economic factors are trending positive...sounds familiar: FDR's policies after 1929 (GOP policies)...go DEMs...BO 2012 landslide.
might change opine if someone would provide GOP happy stories other than their JOB#1: make BO a one "termer" and promote koch voterID law (aka voter suppression)
SDR
8:19 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
somehow this makes sense to you, not me.
stanley seigler
12:45 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
@SDR: "somehow this makes sense to you, not me."
sorry the success of BO's (america's) investment in GM/america doesn't make sense to you...
sad it may be indicative of (reason for); the GOPtpers insistence on returning to the failed voodoo economics that got us into the great 08 recession.
Jerry Friedrich
11:06 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
First, in an effort for full disclosure, I am not a resident of your town or even the State of South Carolina but, I find your discussions above sad. There is too much blaming of one party or another and not establishing a reasonable solution. I would make the following suggestions: 1) A new voter may pick up a valid form from wherever they get it, including via e-mail from the town, local political committee or local group. 2) They must present it at the town hall in the town they reside with proof of residency ( as established by law ). 3) Registration must be completed at least 30 days prior to an election to be able to vote in the election. 4) When coming to vote, a photo identification must be presented ( drivers license, passport, photo credit card, government issued photo card etc.).I don't think this inhibits anyone. Everyone (who legally) has the right vote and if you doesn't think enough to register at least 30 days in advance ( one time registration for as long as you live in that town) you don't deserve the privilege to cast a vote, This gives the register the opportunity to verify with the previous town you may have resided that you are no longer a resident and to void your registration in the previous town. We need some accountability if we are going to eliminate fraud.
SDR
9:13 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thanks Jerry, but reason has no place with the democrats of SC. They prefer to demagogue, obfuscate and when all else fails, lie. I submit for your perusal the above dialogue that fails the sniff test. Elections are governed by the State Election Commission, which co-ordinates the County Election commissions. Municipalities and other entities do not oversee elections. You must have a photo ID to receive a number of state services and you must have a photo ID to register to vote(this has been a requirement for over 20 years. The hoopla is about presenting the same Photo ID used to register to vote to actually vote. The Democrats have tried to gin up some conspiracy about denying people the right to vote. There are many issues that Democrat leadership could use constructively to better the state and the quality of lives of the citizens. But the tired old leadership continues to march out unsuccessful tirades and wonders why SC votes GOP. In Patch, I have asked why Dems dont adopt the Fairtax at the state level. The Fairtax effectively UNTAXES the poor. In SC, if you buy a 560 sl or a 2003 caravan, you pay the same sales tax, $300.00. That is just one example of the multitudes of sales tax loopholes that the Fairtax would close AND eliminate the income tax. My 16 year old asked why he has to pay taxes to work. I told him that it is to hold down the acquisition cost of luxury cars.
Richard Hayes
9:49 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
As usual you Republicans are wrong and making broad statements that have no basis in truth. You Republicans are trying your best to prevent honest citizens from voting -- whether it is the Voter ID bill or this Voter Registration Suppression Bill. It won't work -- the people of the US are going to vote this next November and will re-elect President Obama. In South Carolina, it would be nice if Haley and crew stop fighting among themselves (Haley vs. McConnell/Harrelson), and do something positive for the state of South Carolina -- like improve the Schools (we now rank somewhere between 48 and 50th) -- like an immediate raise in pay for teachers who now have to have two jobs to make ends meet, and to lower the number of students per classroom.
SDR
9:57 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sorry Mr. Chairman, but I'm no GOPer. I think that the Democrat party is on the wrong course by not protecting the legal voters of SC and constantly chirping about more this and better that without a way to pay for it. The president may well be re-elected, but it will be another train wreck for Democrats in SC. "If they aint buying what youre selling, you need to sell something else." Capeche?