The Dirty Side of Politics
Various states have reported tactics designed to prevent voters from going to the pole to vote for the candidate that best represents their interests. In a land where freedom and liberty is supposed to be available to all, there are measures being taken such as; legal scare tactics and several states making it difficult for citizens to obtain drivers license/identification by implementing laws requiring several additional pieces of identification in the election year 2012.
As America counts down the days to the election there are several disturbing trends that have taken place within three months designed to interfere with civil liberties.
CBS News Reported:
Chris Cate, communications director of the Florida Department of State, tells CBS News that between 50 and 100 Floridians in at least 28 counties have recently received letters informing them that their citizenship and right to vote is in question. The letters, which are printed on false letterhead from election supervisor Kathy Dent, calls on recipients to return voter eligibility forms to the local Supervisor of Elections office within 15 days of receipt. “A nonregistered voter who casts a vote in the State of Florida may be subject to arrest, imprisonment, and/or other criminal sanctions,” the letter reads.
Georgia department of driver services rolled out the requirements for obtaining a drivers license under the secure id program in order to comply with the Federal Real id act of 2005. According to the DDS website, the following requirements are now required:
o You must visit a Customer Service Center in person on your first renewal, reinstatement or first issuance beginning July 1, 2012;
o You must provide an original or certified copy of your Birth Certificate or other proof of identity, and proof U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States;
o You must provide your Social Security Card or other proof of full SSN. Previously, DDS was allowed to simply ask you for your SSN; and
o You must provide two different proofs of your residential address. Previously, DDS only required one proof of your residential address for your 1st DL or ID card.
o Additional documentation to verify lawful presence in the United States may be required if you are a non-citizen.
o Additional documentation may be required if you have had a legal name change.
The American Civil Liberties Union reported the implementation by several states of what they describe as voter suppression in America. The organization acknowledged the following on their website:
“During the 2011 legislative sessions, states across the country passed measures to make it harder for Americans – particularly African-Americans, the elderly, students and people with disabilities – to exercise their fundamental right to cast a ballot.”
Wikipedia defined two important measures designed to protect the right to vote for all citizens:
The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (for example, slavery). It was ratified on February 3, 1870.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1973–1973aa-6) is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S.
With days left to the election, the mad dash to the poles continues with people voting early for the candidate of their choice. It is my hope that every citizen is able to vote for the candidate that best represents their interest. One thing is for sure, with this election, every vote counts.
Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney
Democrat vs Republican
Vote!
Vote like your life depends on it!
Vote not based on race!
Vote not based in ignorance!
Vote for the candidate that best represents the America you want to be a part of and the political figure which represents the measures that you feel best serves America. Vote for the candidate with a concrete, revealed, agenda regarding the steps they will take to strengthen America.
If you are still not sure who best represents your views, it is not too late to do your research and make an informed decision.
Visit: www.abcnews.com, www.cnn.com, or www.huffingtonpost.com to confirm which candidate best resembles your beliefs and views. Below are some links to sites that can help you make your decision.
1.Match-O-Matic on ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/fullpage/match-matic-presidential-candidate-2012-match-15177995
2.CNN America’s Choice 2012 Election Center provides a brief overview of where each candidate stands on the issues.
http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/campaign-issues.html
3.The Huffington Post – Huff Post Politics also provides an overview of where the candidates stand on the issues.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20121029/us-where-they-stand-abridged/
