Making the case for Voter ID
By Stephan Drew
Well, it looks like our nation can now do anything imaginable. I guess nothing is “impossible” (at least in America) anymore. Over the past 15 months, we have discovered that we don’t really have to leave our homes to accomplish almost everything we need to do in our daily lives. We can shop from home, our children can learn from home and a lot more people are working from home. For decades, we have been monitoring the traffic and weather on our televisions and now our phones, planning accordingly, from the comfort of our homes. Some people are even renting out areas of their homes for paying “B&B” customers. Last year, millions of Americans even voted from home. We are quickly getting used to staying at home and letting the world come to us much more than we ever did before. During this time, we have also seen government services become more accessible to even the most remote-dwelling citizens of this country. Since the COVID vaccine was created, the city, state and federal governments have set up thousands of locations for all inhabitants (whether citizens or not) to come and get both shots absolutely free. As I write this, around 340 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Just think about that for a moment. We have created a viable vaccine (a “miracle” in just nine months) and reached out to make it available to everyone in America at no charge. No one can say, “I wasn’t able to get one.” It’s free, it’s there, and you just have to get it. Almost every town and city in the United States has a “vaccination station.” There is no excuse not to have one, unless you simply don’t wish to get it. And that too is your choice. This is a free country and you are not forced to take it if you don’t wish to do so. But you cannot say it “wasn’t available.” We have seen that anything can be provided to ALL the people in our country if that is our goal. And we cannot forget that or “un-see” it. Which means that, in the future, anything we want ALL of the people to have will not only be possible but also easily obtained. It brings to mind the discussion on Voter IDs. Most people argue that it disenfranchises certain groups because they can’t travel to obtain one. Well, that’s no longer necessary, is it? Our government has proven over the last several months that they can accommodate anyone, anywhere in our country. So that argument is basically null and void. No one can be considered “disenfranchised” anymore, because, in reality, they are not. Of course, some people still say it’s unfair to require an ID to vote. I wonder why? You have to show an ID to withdraw money, cash a check, buy alcohol or tobacco, rent a hotel room, or buy a ticket on a plane, train or ship. If an ID is necessary for these goods and services, why not requiring it to exercise your most cherished liberty in this country? You have a right to vote. However, we the people, as well as our government, need to know that you are a citizen of the United States. It’s not a matter of what you look like or who you vote for. Look and dress however you please and vote for whoever you wish. It’s kind of like going to a church, club or group whose members have certain rights that others on the outside don’t have. You have to prove you’re a card-carrying member to enter and enjoy those rights. Your right to vote is just as precious. But you need to be able to prove that you are who you say you are or you can’t legally vote. It’s really as simple as that. I don’t believe anyone should vote in this country if they can’t prove they are a legal citizen of America. Some may not agree with that and that is their right. But, since the accomplishments of the last 15 months, alot of their arguments are falling apart before their eyes. The people now realize that there is very little, if any, obstacle to obtaining a valid ID. There also will be no charge or, at most, a minimal fee that will be affordable to everyone. As we have seen in recent years, and especially the past 12-15 months, there is no such thing as “I can’t get that” in this country anymore. If you can go to Wal-Mart or any drugstore to get your prescriptions, you can get a passport photo or voter ID. You can and you should. Of course, there will always be the “Can’t do” group who tries to stifle all attempts at progress. However, most of the people are seeing them for who and what they really are – divisive, hatemongers, obstructionists and panderers. But that’s politics for you. We all know the games politicians play and, usually, we overlook their petty squabbles. However, this particular issue has certainly galvanized many people to express their views and fight for one side or another. There will always be bickering and disagreements between our elected leaders, whether on the local, state or federal level. But, the argument that an ID is “not accessible” is pretty much dead and gone. The people have already seen what is possible. After what has been accomplished this past year, no one can say a Voter ID is “difficult to obtain” … well, not without lying through their teeth, anyway.
