We may never again have an undisputed national election in this country. Beginning in 2000 and repeated again in 2004, some forces seek to dispute all election results. Their goal, of course, is to create an atmosphere of voter cynicism so that any election is viewed with a skeptical eye. That way, even if you lose, you win. Follow that logic if you will.
Now three states are proposing what I believe is a reasonable and effective plan to increase confidence in the electoral process. These states want to require voters - just like Missouri - to show a photo ID when you cast your ballot. If you do not have a photo ID, then some form of identification would do such as a utility bill or a simple affidavit of identity.
But minority lawmakers are labeling the plan as racist. They charge that the photo ID would alienate many minority voters and intimidate them from casting a ballot.
What am I missing here? What harm would result if all voters were required simply to prove they are indeed who they say they are and that they are eligible to vote? How in the world is that racist? I don't comprehend how a plan that would improve the accuracy and validity of an election could be viewed in this way.
The fact is this - voter fraud, especially in urban areas, is a true concern. With much at stake in many elections, there are those who would vote more than once, who would lie about their identity and who would concoct all forms of schemes to taint the election process. Any plan that would help address this concern seems so appropriate. Yet nothing is any longer what it seems.
One state enacted the "controversial" photo ID legislation and had 2 percent of voters who signed affidavits of identity instead of showing identification. That illustrates the small percentage of voters without some form of identification. It seems to me the process is a substantial improvement and obviously would lead to few inconveniences.
One legislator in Indiana - one of the states debating the measure - said the law was designed "to break the spirit of the homeless, to break the spirit of the have-nots." I honestly don't even begin to understand that thinking. How in the world can something that helps bring fairness "break the spirit" of anyone? That's just a phony excuse to ignore voter fraud.
Maybe we will never go beyond race in this country. Maybe any issue or proposal on virtually any subject will be condemned as racist. But the reality is that without tighter controls, there will be those who break the law come election day. Any measure that will diminish that crime seems appropriate, needed and fair.
Call me what you want - I couldn't care less!