# I Pit the ID-demanding GOP vote-suppressors (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943 "2012-06-12T19:15:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 127
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2521 "2012-09-30T07:47:23Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Coward. Yep. I have to agree. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2522 "2012-09-30T08:00:29Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > The point being that people are confused and unable to get a straight answer from state employees. How are they supposed to know what they need to get the ID? How are they supposed to know if the ID will be accepted at the polls? > > . Interestingly I recently noticed that in Texas at least if you have no documents proving residency you can swear out an affidavit of residency. I have no idea if this is a recent change or not but back in the internet dark ages the employees at the DMV I was at did not offer that as an option, it was get the documents or no ID for you. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2523 "2012-09-30T23:43:33Z")
In-person voter fraud by individuals is so extraordinarily rare as to be non-existent for all intents and purposes. Mass voter fraud perpetrated by paid organizations has been, and continues to be a very, very serious problem that requiring ID at the polling place will never, ever solve. And time after time after time when it is uncovered, it is perpetrated by Republicans. Over and over and over. ACORN never committed voter fraud, and in fact were instrumental in preventing it from even having a remote chance of happening, but notifying the Secretaries of State when they received what appeared to be fraudulent voter registrations from lazy workers. Mitt Romney’s and the GOP’s highly-paid consultant has actually committed crimes by destroying or altering registrations that belonged to Democrats. And they’re now under criminal investigation in Florida (with more states to follow, I suspect). [Nationwide GOP Voter Registration Fraud Scandal Widens, Becomes Criminal Matter in Florida](http://www.bradblog.com/?p=9598) Meanwhile, Republicans and their bought media are sticking their fingers in their ears and pretending it’s not even happening. The Republican party, their mouthpieces, their paid criminals, and their dumbass supporters represent the \*real \*threat to the confidence we should have in our elections. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2524 "2012-10-01T01:30:49Z")
And the silence from the local supporters remains deafening. LALALALALALA THEY CAN’T HEAR US! LALALALALALALA! ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2525 "2012-10-01T01:48:13Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > [Nationwide GOP Voter Registration Fraud Scandal Widens, Becomes Criminal Matter in Florida](http://www.bradblog.com/?p=9598) “Move along ladies and gentlemen, nothing to see here. Nothing to see here.” ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2526 "2012-10-01T15:33:02Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Why aren’t you at a conservative board, instead of spending your time where everyone tell you how right you are? I don’t think this is a liberal board. This is a well moderated board where the best ideas tend to win. The fact tath most of teh besty ideas are liberal isn’t really the fault of the liberals. The problem with conservative boards is that they are poorly moderated and do not have thoughtful posters. If you have an example of a well moderated conservative board that isn’t filled with racists, let me know. If you know of a conservative baordfilld with conservatives like you and John Mace and Shodan, let me know. > [@Bricker](#): > > In precisely the same way, someone who chooses not to vote because they can’t be arsed to get a free ID is not countable as a suppressed vote. What if they don’t have a car? What if they have to take unpaid days off of work to get the ID? How much of a burden are you willing to put on voters to reduce a non-existent threat to election integrity? Is the effect on disenfranchised voters something we should consider at all or are you of the opinion that these people have disenfranchised themselves because its actually no burden whatsoever to get a voter ID. That its just a matter of people spending less time watching TV and going to get their ID? > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Republicans’ efforts to keep “those people” from voting are [backfiring pretty strongly](http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/09/28/ohio-voter-suppression-efforts-may-galvanizing-african-american-voters/wEaaMnxD2fFhm87Pkp5t4M/story.html): > > Those lines, being in black Democratic areas in Cleveland, certainly helping discourage the Kerry vote, of course. There is nothing taht makes you cherish a right more than the threat that someone might be taking it away (just as the gunshop owners in my area, they are almost visibly excited by the prospect of an Obama reelection). > [@digs](#): > > Remember when we’d see _ **Bricker** _’s name above a post and think “Okay, here comes some insightful, well-thought-out comment…?” Now I just think “Well, I suppose I’ll have to waste my time reading this… just to see what party line a hateful old hack would spout”. What the hell happened? He’ll be back to normal after the election. He’s just in a tailspin right now because Romney is imploding and his mind is exploding because he is forcing himself to defend a patently undemocratic activity that he would be livid about if it was being done to suppress poor rural Republican voters. > [@Bricker](#): > > How much abuse was I supposed to swallow without complaint? None, this is the pit. But the fact remains that you are putting a theoretical threat of voter fraud over the actual harm of disenfranchised voters. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2527 "2012-10-02T03:12:18Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I don’t think this is a liberal board. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! On the off chance that you were serious – and thus completely blind, Pauline Kael style – I will refer you to the “political compass” series of threads, which are a reasonably objective proof of my claim. A claim, by the way, that is not seriously disputed by most of your partisan buddies. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2528 "2012-10-02T03:17:18Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! > > On the off chance that you were serious – and thus completely blind, Pauline Kael style – I will refer you to the “political compass” series of threads, which are a reasonably objective proof of my claim. A acclaim, by the way, that is not seriously disputed by most of your partisan buddies. It is a liberal board, which any board that fights ignorance would be. Modern conservatism is largely based on ignorance and misinformation. But we give a fair shake to conservatives here. The trouble you’re having, friend Bricker, is that your ideas are shit and your arguments are drivel. As a cite for this, I present this thread, where your arguments have failed so utterly that you have no option but to declare victory and strut like the town retard. Other than that, I’m sure you love your kids and are a good husband. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2529 "2012-10-02T03:30:00Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > It is a liberal board, which any board that fights ignorance would be. Modern conservatism is largely based on ignorance and misinformation. Obviously I disagree. What’s the proper role of government? That’s a question, a fundamental one, on which you and I disagree. The answer to that question drives our position on a hundred different topics. And the answer to that question is not divined by simply opposing ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2530 "2012-10-02T03:38:02Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Obviously I disagree. > > What’s the proper role of government? > > That’s a question, a fundamental one, on which you and I disagree. The answer to that question drives our position on a hundred different topics. And the answer to that question is not divined by simply opposing ignorance. Of course. I miss the sane conservatives. Conservatives, in my opinion, are a necessary brake. I, as a liberal, am an optimist. I want us to build great things. To have the highest standard of living on Earth (since we’re the richest country on Earth). We need a voice to say, “Hey, do we really need this? Is this the best thing to spend our money on?” That’s the natural place of conservatism in the political sphere, slow down those that would run ahead at full speed. Compare that with recent conservatism which is largely, “AGW is a fraud! Pallin’ around with terrorists! Tyranny, tyranny, tyranny!” I know you’re sane and internally reasonable, Bricker. The trouble is, you support stuff like the Republican voter ID laws because they are legal, and they help you. If the Dems were trying to keep hill folk from voting because they vote Republican, I’d find that sickening, even if it were legal. And I would do my best to argue against it. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2531 "2012-10-02T03:41:21Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Obviously I disagree. Who cares what you think? Coward. Cad. Hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2532 "2012-10-02T06:09:59Z")
No, **Bricker** , we are not having a disagreement as regards political philosophy, or any of a number of arcane and abstract issues. However much you might like to pretend so, it is not. It is about a bunch of scoundrels seeking to warp and pervert our political system to their advantage. We need not bring Hume, Locke, and Burke into any of this, its simple enough for Big Bird. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2533 "2012-10-02T10:23:39Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > When Massachusetts changed its laws to prevent its Republican governor from appointing a replacement senator, and then changed them again back to allowing their Democratic governor to appoint a temporary senator, they were doing the same thing you describe: using legal tactics to game the electoral system in their favor. > > And I felt that if the people of Massachusetts objected, they had a remedy close at hand. > > How did you feel about the Massachusetts legislature? How do you feel about [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15544184)? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2534 "2012-10-02T13:41:17Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > How do you feel about [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15544184)? I’m against it, and I feel the GOP should immediately fire Strategic Allied Consulting. Their actions should be investigated and prosecuted, if evidence so warrants, to the full extent of the law. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2535 "2012-10-02T14:09:08Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Who cares what you think? Coward. Cad. Hypocrite. By this, I take it you mean you don’t care what I think. There’s an excellent way to avoid reading my posts, so as not to pollute your mind with scary conservative information, but evidently you lack the wit to use it. Perhaps you need a costly federal government program to assist you? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2536 "2012-10-02T14:12:47Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > No, **Bricker** , we are not having a disagreement as regards political philosophy, or any of a number of arcane and abstract issues. However much you might like to pretend so, it is not. It is about a bunch of scoundrels seeking to warp and pervert our political system to their advantage. > > We need not bring Hume, Locke, and Burke into any of this, its simple enough for Big Bird. Scoundrels like the Democrats in the Massachusetts state legislature? You love them, and their work. To you, they’re not scoundrels at all. It’s only the work of scoundrels in your book when the right wing seeks such an advantage. When the Lefties warp and pervert our political system to their advantage, you cheer, or, if forced, issue weak-sauce condemnations that suggest the corrupt Lefties were somehow forced into their perfidious actions by the right. Correct? Isn’t that the elucidator method? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2537 "2012-10-02T14:14:53Z")
Blocked! ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2538 "2012-10-02T14:23:17Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! > > On the off chance that you were serious – and thus completely blind, Pauline Kael style – I will refer you to the “political compass” series of threads, which are a reasonably objective proof of my claim. A claim, by the way, that is not seriously disputed by most of your partisan buddies. Maybe I should rephrase. This is not NECESSARILY a liberal board. This is a well moderated board where the best ideas tend to win. The fact that most of the best ideas are liberal isn’t really the fault of the liberals. > [@Bricker](#): > > What’s the proper role of government? > > That’s a question, a fundamental one, on which you and I disagree. The answer to that question drives our position on a hundred different topics. And the answer to that question is not divined by simply opposing ignorance. That is NOT the debate we have most of the time. The “debate” we have most of the time on that topic is some guy ranting about the tenth amendment and claiming to have a better grasp of the constitution than 200 years of supreme court justices. I was very uncomfortable with the auto bailouts, I thought it was a bad precedent and would lead to horrible results. I was as wrong as wrong can be on that point. Turns out the federal government can do good things. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2539 "2012-10-02T14:24:12Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > The problem with conservative boards is that they are poorly moderated and do not have thoughtful posters. > > If you have an example of a well moderated conservative board that isn’t filled with racists, let me know. If you know of a conservative baordfilld with conservatives like you and John Mace and Shodan, let me know. Seriously, I would love to hear an answer to this question as well. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/2540 "2012-10-02T14:31:04Z")
The law was blocked acccording to MSNBC. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=126) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=128)