1. Grant in Texas - September 26, 2012

   Of 254 counties in Texas, over 80 of our predominately rural counties have NO DMV offices where can one get a photo ID meaning those living in these counties (many also poor) might have to drive over 100 miles to get one. For those not acquainted with Texas, many of our counties are bigger than some of our smaller states like Delaware and Rhode Island. Harris County (Houston) is nearly 1800 square miles compared to 1214 square miles of land in Rhode Island. Brewster County in West Texas has over 6000 square miles which is bigger than Connecticut. It has just under 10,000 population, mostly Latino ranch workers.

   Back in the 1970’s I needed a passport for an overseas job and had to drive the 1100 miles from my Texas home to the courthouse in Indiana where my birth certificate is filed. When I got there, I stood in line for awhile until a clerk could go back into a vault room (with big fireproof steel door) to make a COPY of my certificate (which BTW I have NEVER seen). I bought several Certificates of Live Birth just in case I needed another copy (with a raised seal) again. Back then they were a bargain at $5 each but my 2200 mile road trip to get them cost a thousand dollars more.

   I was born at home as was most of my generation in rural America over 70 years ago. My family called a doctor to the house but many babies were delivered by mid-wives. To this day, in Hispanic South Texas, mid-wives still deliver babies at home. They often don’t record the births at the courthouse.

   I agree with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View” that by 2016 maybe photo ID’s should be required, but even a right winger like her believes that dropping such laws so close to this election was not right. Plus, the government should do everything in its power to get out these photo ID’s at NO COST to the recipients. I remember a few years back when National ID Cards were being discussed then hearing the many conspiracists on the right being very much against this “BIG BROTHER” action. They cited such conspiracies that such ID cards would be used by the government to “round up” dissidents (THEM!) and move them to “work camps”.

2. Mugsy - September 26, 2012

   Yes, the threat of a “National ID Card” was born out of President Clinton’s health care reform plan, where he held up a credit-card sized “ID” during his first State of the Union Address in 1994 suggesting you could store all of your medical records on such a card, and obtain “free” care at any hospital in the country simply by presenting your “National Care Card”.

   Conspiracy Theorists on the Right went nuts, complaining of “privacy” concerns, even suggesting such an ID was the predicted “Mark of the Beast” foretold in the Bible.

3. Analysis | Voter ID Laws: Improving the Integrity of the Electoral System or Disenfranchising Voters? - October 23, 2012

   […] http://mugsysrapsheet.com/2012/09/26/voter-id-supporters-put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is/ […]

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