I Found a Pill in All That Jam

The title of this entry is a reference to this blog entry from a few days ago, when I was wondering why The Rabid Right was suddenly so righteously pushing for vote verification.

I think I've got it figured out: BAIT AND SWITCH. What's the difference between "vote" verification and "votER verification"? Not much, I believe, if you are a Republican fomenting strategy for the next election.

Of course everyone wants every *vote* counted, and a paper trail for every vote--that's VOTE verification.

What I am less certain about is who the Rabid Right thinks is voting illegally, so as to also be wanting votER verification.

I hope the two issues will not become confused in peoples' minds, but I fear they will.

Personally, I am of the opinion that these days, Republicans will have a *harder* time winning elections that are absolutely free, fair and verifiable. For that reason, I am *theoretically* in favor of votER verification WITH a couple caveats: the IDs must be free of charge (or the government pays to get them for those under a certain income level), and *every effort* must be made to ensure that the elderly, and those who otherwise might be disenfranchised, have an opportunity to *easily* secure the required ID.

The problem is, I don't think that is going to happen; the GOP has some history of issuing mandates that they aren't willing to fund. Maybe they'd go back later and fund it, maybe not--but the question itself is troubling.

I have a personal example to share.

My maternal grandmother will be 100 years old next month. She DOES NOT HAVE a photo ID.

In fact, she doesn't even have a birth certificate.

The only record we've (the family) has *ever* had of Grandmother's birth is a notation in an old family Bible (and her word on it, of course. ;>). But it has, until now, always been good enough to get her a driver's license, a social security card, a voter registration card, etc.

She also uses a walker (or a cane, depending on circumstances) to get around.

Should my grandmother be denied the opportunity to vote, if she so chooses, just because she can't produce a *photo* ID???