Voting Rights Hypocrisy - Commentary by Frank Gillispie

Voting Rights Hypocrisy – Commentary by Frank Gillispie

"The U.S. Justice Department approved a controversial Georgia law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls," the news item declared. Immediately following the statement, the same news item quoted State Representative Tyrone Brooks threatening a federal law suit to stop the law from going into effect. Brooks is further identified as the chairman of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials.

Now, this little news item really gets my semi-self educated brain to working overtime. There is so much to say about it that I am not sure where to start.

First, the right to vote. Some of our rights are God given, like the right to life, the right to freedom of religion, the right of free speech, the right to be secure in our property and the right to own the means of protecting our life and property. Other rights, like the right to drive a car or the right to practice medicine, come from the government.

But in either case, it is the responsibility of the individual to qualify himself to hold the right. If you want to drive a car, you have to be able to pass the test.

Now the right to vote is a combination of the two. The right to determine what form of government we live under is a God given right. We have an equal right to ignore the political process if we so choose. Laws that safeguard the right to vote come from the states. They are mostly intended to assure that those voting do so in a legal fashion. You cannot vote multiple times. You must live in the district where you vote. You must be of age, and a citizen of good standing.

Now the voter Identification Law, the one that Tyrone Brooks is so upset about is designed to assure that only legally registered voters vote. Most specifically, it is intended to assure that the flood of illegal immigrants do not influence the voting process. It is a good start to protecting our right to have a government of the People, not of the politicians.

If there is a flaw in the law it is that it does not go far enough. As I said above, each individual is responsible for their right to vote. I would prefer that each prospective voter be required to present themselves in person at the registrars office with proof of citizenship, (birth certificate or naturalization papers) and residence (rent receipt, electric bill). I would like to see the registrars office actually produce a photo ID for voters with a bar code that identifies their proper voting district.

Our voting machines could be modified to read the voters ID card and record their voting record automatically. That would assure that only properly registered voters have access to the ballot, and that no one will be able to "steal" their vote.

Every eligible citizen who cares enough to take part in the election process can easily obtain the cards. Those who do not care need not bother. Those who wish to defeat the will of the majority by registering ineligible voters will be blocked in their nefarious efforts.

Now, do you realize that the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, headed by Tyrone Brooks, that is so upset about a rule that may prevent ineligibles from voting is the same group that worked so hard to prevent those Georgians who supported the '56 flag from having an opportunity to vote their opinion? They clearly only defend the right to vote of those who they think will support their brand of politics.

And: is it not clear that any group that specifies that you belong to a particular race, such as the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, to qualify for membership is a racist organization?

Can you say Hypocrisy?