Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

d_r

(6,907 posts)
Thu Dec 8, 2011, 11:51 PM Dec 2011

Hamilton County Commissioner Fred Skillern jokes on rolling back voting rights

Newspaper: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Link: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/08/skillern-jokes-on-rolling-back-voting-rights/

4 paragraph exert:
"I said, 'Why don't we go back to the Constitution when the only voters were white male property owners?'" he said when reached by phone.

Party volunteer Phil Phillips said he was surprised to hear something like that from a county commissioner.

During the meeting, commissioners had voted 7-2 against asking the Tennessee General Assembly to amend or repeal the voter ID law passed earlier this year. Phillips, a 56-year-old Harrison resident, addressed commissioners during the public comment period. He said the requirements are cumbersome and affect a range of registered voters, regardless of party affiliation.

The Republican-controlled state Legislature earlier this year passed the voter ID law, which they sold as a deterrent for voter fraud. The law requires that voters present certain types of qualified state IDs and provides free ones for voting purposes for those who don't already have them and can't afford them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My comment: I posted this earlier, but I forgot to add in the url or newspaper; I'm trying it again to try to understand better how new du3 works. So, it is an experiment. The "boxes" to put that information in aren't here on du3.

I first posted it because I found the remark shocking. The issue of requiring photo ID to vote is an important one nationally, and especially in Tennessee where people over age 60 aren't required to have a photo on their driver's license. So this can really disenfranchise older and poorer voters.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

csziggy

(34,119 posts)
1. If photo ID is required to vote, voter cards should have photos on them
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 12:27 AM
Dec 2011

That way there is no need for a second ID, just the voter registration card - which should be FREE.

I can't believe this crap is getting passed in so many states without more challenges.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
2. That was no joke. It's been being kicked around by the Constitution party and others for a decade.
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 01:49 AM
Dec 2011

Some municipalities have restricted voting for those who own property, on the basis that they are the only ones who pay taxes and thus are the shareholders of the public treasury.

The dishonesty of that approach is that many people are not 'property owners,' but rent, and pay the property taxes for the owners in their rent. They also pay sales taxes and other taxes as well.

This comes from years of Rush and others saying that the poor should not have say in government, that is, not vote, because they are all bums and will vote to give themselves money. It was pushed during the Bush campaign, that Gore would get the vote of single mothers, and it had to be stopped!!!

This has been passed along almost as long as the welfare queens driving Cadillacs canard. Meanwhile, the real thieves of the public treasury continue to steal enough money to pay these propagandists.

4bucksagallon

(975 posts)
3. They are bringing this to Maine...
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 04:25 AM
Dec 2011

The T'hardists had their registration limit to 3 days prior to election overturned by referendum in Maine, now they are trying to sneak in voter ID. Gotta love the Republicans, just wish they would come out of the closet and start wearing the white sheets their pappy's handed down to them. It does stymie me that more people can't see what these clowns are really up to.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
4. They've controlled the media for a generation. That's why. Time flies as the fascism grows.
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 12:07 PM
Dec 2011

Rush exploded out of nowhere to become their voice in the early 90's. Think about it, that's the lifetime of many of our young people.

Before that, the Reagan propagandists controlled their parents with religious right guilt trips to make them ashamed of the 'excesses' of the 60s, 70s and 80s. So that's why liberalism and democracy are portrayed as they are today. People don't even think there was ever anything else.

I've been arguing with people, watching this build for years. The media is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. They literally overtake real life and create a different language and reality for many. We have to educate people, knowing that we will be ridiculed by those who let Fox and the right do their thinking for them. So much easier to spout slogans and not think about what's really going on here, also humbling to do so.

We have to take a step back and find that common ground, that logic that can't be denied, from the perspective of equality. That concept was once well known, written in the pledge of allegiance to 'one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' Or the other version, 'one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'

We need to remind people of that principle; people have come to think that voter ID laws only discriminate against people they see as criminals, not one of the whole. But 'for all' is bigger than that. Sort of like unconditional love or as some call Jesus' theme of universal forgiveness as 'shameless grace.' In other words, all can be hurt, all are equal.

Anything that goes against the pledge, or if you are talking to the religious, which restricting voting rights does, should be pointed out, might do some good. Just a suggestion, as I've used it successfully with some of the right.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
5. The problem with requiring voter IDs, with or without photos, is that it's an inefficient way
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 12:46 PM
Dec 2011

to address a miniscule problem, namely people who are ineligible showing up to a polling place to vote.

The real reason for this sort of move is to disenfranchise people who are more likely to vote for the other party.

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
6. I have already contacted by voting office to find out exactly what is needed. I ususally vote early
Fri Dec 9, 2011, 05:21 PM
Dec 2011

and I am a senior citizen. ALL YOUNG ADULTS please make sure that you check with your local voting offices and find out exactly what is needed for your family members to vote especially your senior citizens and minorities. Republicans are trying really hard to disenfrenchised democrats. You sit home and let the republicans win this time around kiss what bennies you have left. How does a President Gringrich sound? Scared yet? You should be. Get the vote registration out.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Hamilton County Commissio...