Wasn’t going to write about the latest big flap, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act. I’ve just been shaking my head and leaving a few comments and observations on Facebook about that. The intent of this piece of legislation is to ensure only citizens of this country can cast a ballot. It certainly seems like a reasonable piece of legislation. The constitution does not directly address that. However five amendments to the constitution making it clear that citizenship is a requirement. The 14th amendment being the most notable example among them.
It has now come down to a question of proving your citizenship. Proper documentation will be required. The requirement for identification has never been a major issue, at least not in my lifetime so far. Those requirements have changed over that time. A social security card wasn’t a requirement when I was born, I didn’t need to register for that until I got a job. In 1987 the process for requesting a social security number was standardized and parents could request those numbers at your birth, in the hospital. Social Security used to say, not for identification on them. My birth certificate was proof of who I am and my citizenship.
The big issue I keep hearing about is obtaining those documents. What if I lost them? What if I got married and changed my last name? What if I can’t afford to pay for replacement documents? If I have to pay anything in order to get those papers that is effectively a poll tax. And we all know the 24th amendment prohibits any poll tax. Thing is, it isn’t a poll tax, it’s a fee for services, the state providing you the necessary documents. The state is doing you a service, not taxing you. So for me, the point is moot.
I’m a person that likes to cut to the chase. Get right down to the brass tacks as they used to say. Voting is a right afforded to every citizen of this country. As a right it can be withdrawn as well. Rights can be withheld as a punitive measure. That’s what the legal system is all about after all, determining if you remain qualified to exercise your rights. Break the law and there are consequences. Now voting, we are told, is a civic responsibility.
We are to vote for what we feel is the best for the country! It’s our patriotic duty! So, who do we vote for? We vote for the person that will do the most for us. That’s the truth of it. I’m including myself in that, I always vote for the person I feel will do things the way I want them done. That’s the straight up truth about that. Wouldn’t only allowing actual citizens of this country to vote be best for the country? It seems like a no brainer to me. The only way it wouldn’t be is if by allowing just anyone to vote it was to my benefit. You know, they just might vote for me.
I’m just saying all those that coming up with all these lame excuses why someone shouldn’t be required to prove their citizenship in order to vote are doing so because they feel it will benefit them in some fashion. Instead of crying, it’s the children; they are now crying, it’s the married women and the poor folks. We won’t say out loud we are talking about the minorities as the ones that can’t get an ID, that might sound a bit racist. But it’s clear, women and black folks won’t be able to vote! Only the white guys and single women will be able to vote.
Strangely enough the requirement to have an ID for any number of other reasons is not an issue at all. Applying for any number of government programs has never been an issue. Purchasing alcohol and prescription drugs has never been a problem. Getting into the concert or any other venue requiring ID has never been an issue. No, only when citizenship has to be proven does that become a big problem. Having to pay a fee to obtain any required identification to qualify for any of that isn’t a tax. It’s only a tax when you want to vote, then it’s a poll tax. Well because you would never, ever need that ID for anything else.
An aging man living in a confusing world. I was born and raised in East Hampton, yes “the Hamptons” but not rich, not famous and definitely not woke. These are my thoughts, my memories and my opinions. Just the stuff of the regular Joe.
Wasn’t going to write about the latest big flap, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act. I’ve just been shaking my head and leaving a few comments and observations on Facebook about that. The intent of this piece of legislation is to ensure only citizens of this country can cast a ballot. It certainly seems like a reasonable piece of legislation. The constitution does not directly address that. However five amendments to the constitution making it clear that citizenship is a requirement. The 14th amendment being the most notable example among them.
It has now come down to a question of proving your citizenship. Proper documentation will be required. The requirement for identification has never been a major issue, at least not in my lifetime so far. Those requirements have changed over that time. A social security card wasn’t a requirement when I was born, I didn’t need to register for that until I got a job. In 1987 the process for requesting a social security number was standardized and parents could request those numbers at your birth, in the hospital. Social Security used to say, not for identification on them. My birth certificate was proof of who I am and my citizenship.
The big issue I keep hearing about is obtaining those documents. What if I lost them? What if I got married and changed my last name? What if I can’t afford to pay for replacement documents? If I have to pay anything in order to get those papers that is effectively a poll tax. And we all know the 24th amendment prohibits any poll tax. Thing is, it isn’t a poll tax, it’s a fee for services, the state providing you the necessary documents. The state is doing you a service, not taxing you. So for me, the point is moot.
I’m a person that likes to cut to the chase. Get right down to the brass tacks as they used to say. Voting is a right afforded to every citizen of this country. As a right it can be withdrawn as well. Rights can be withheld as a punitive measure. That’s what the legal system is all about after all, determining if you remain qualified to exercise your rights. Break the law and there are consequences. Now voting, we are told, is a civic responsibility.
We are to vote for what we feel is the best for the country! It’s our patriotic duty! So, who do we vote for? We vote for the person that will do the most for us. That’s the truth of it. I’m including myself in that, I always vote for the person I feel will do things the way I want them done. That’s the straight up truth about that. Wouldn’t only allowing actual citizens of this country to vote be best for the country? It seems like a no brainer to me. The only way it wouldn’t be is if by allowing just anyone to vote it was to my benefit. You know, they just might vote for me.
I’m just saying all those that coming up with all these lame excuses why someone shouldn’t be required to prove their citizenship in order to vote are doing so because they feel it will benefit them in some fashion. Instead of crying, it’s the children; they are now crying, it’s the married women and the poor folks. We won’t say out loud we are talking about the minorities as the ones that can’t get an ID, that might sound a bit racist. But it’s clear, women and black folks won’t be able to vote! Only the white guys and single women will be able to vote.
Strangely enough the requirement to have an ID for any number of other reasons is not an issue at all. Applying for any number of government programs has never been an issue. Purchasing alcohol and prescription drugs has never been a problem. Getting into the concert or any other venue requiring ID has never been an issue. No, only when citizenship has to be proven does that become a big problem. Having to pay a fee to obtain any required identification to qualify for any of that isn’t a tax. It’s only a tax when you want to vote, then it’s a poll tax. Well because you would never, ever need that ID for anything else.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Wasn’t going to write about the latest big flap, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act. I’ve just been shaking my head and leaving a few comments and observations on Facebook about that. The intent of this piece of legislation is to ensure only citizens of this country can cast a ballot. It certainly seems like a reasonable piece of legislation. The constitution does not directly address that. However five amendments to the constitution making it clear that citizenship is a requirement. The 14th amendment being the most notable example among them.
It has now come down to a question of proving your citizenship. Proper documentation will be required. The requirement for identification has never been a major issue, at least not in my lifetime so far. Those requirements have changed over that time. A social security card wasn’t a requirement when I was born, I didn’t need to register for that until I got a job. In 1987 the process for requesting a social security number was standardized and parents could request those numbers at your birth, in the hospital. Social Security used to say, not for identification on them. My birth certificate was proof of who I am and my citizenship.
The big issue I keep hearing about is obtaining those documents. What if I lost them? What if I got married and changed my last name? What if I can’t afford to pay for replacement documents? If I have to pay anything in order to get those papers that is effectively a poll tax. And we all know the 24th amendment prohibits any poll tax. Thing is, it isn’t a poll tax, it’s a fee for services, the state providing you the necessary documents. The state is doing you a service, not taxing you. So for me, the point is moot.
I’m a person that likes to cut to the chase. Get right down to the brass tacks as they used to say. Voting is a right afforded to every citizen of this country. As a right it can be withdrawn as well. Rights can be withheld as a punitive measure. That’s what the legal system is all about after all, determining if you remain qualified to exercise your rights. Break the law and there are consequences. Now voting, we are told, is a civic responsibility.
We are to vote for what we feel is the best for the country! It’s our patriotic duty! So, who do we vote for? We vote for the person that will do the most for us. That’s the truth of it. I’m including myself in that, I always vote for the person I feel will do things the way I want them done. That’s the straight up truth about that. Wouldn’t only allowing actual citizens of this country to vote be best for the country? It seems like a no brainer to me. The only way it wouldn’t be is if by allowing just anyone to vote it was to my benefit. You know, they just might vote for me.
I’m just saying all those that coming up with all these lame excuses why someone shouldn’t be required to prove their citizenship in order to vote are doing so because they feel it will benefit them in some fashion. Instead of crying, it’s the children; they are now crying, it’s the married women and the poor folks. We won’t say out loud we are talking about the minorities as the ones that can’t get an ID, that might sound a bit racist. But it’s clear, women and black folks won’t be able to vote! Only the white guys and single women will be able to vote.
Strangely enough the requirement to have an ID for any number of other reasons is not an issue at all. Applying for any number of government programs has never been an issue. Purchasing alcohol and prescription drugs has never been a problem. Getting into the concert or any other venue requiring ID has never been an issue. No, only when citizenship has to be proven does that become a big problem. Having to pay a fee to obtain any required identification to qualify for any of that isn’t a tax. It’s only a tax when you want to vote, then it’s a poll tax. Well because you would never, ever need that ID for anything else.
Leave a Reply