Voting on the Vote

Sorry about the lack of posts, I've been a bit busy.

Anyway, here's something. You've all heard about the new Voter ID law that's going up now? There's been huge debate on the subject, whether or not people should be required to have a "Voter ID Card" before they vote on the ballots. How idiotic is this?

First off, we already have voter ID's and stuff. You need to register to vote, right? So that, in turn, signifies that you are a citizen (because they do check that, you know), you're over 18, and you're not a complete idiot. But even if you are a Republican, you still have the right to vote. The vote is the one symbol of democracy that will never falter. When we lose the vote, we have lost our democracy.

Voting is a right, not a priveledge. And by a right, I mean that you have the obligation to vote. These are the people who, in essence, run your life. You read their platforms and you listen to their beliefs, and if they conform with your beliefs--or come reasonably close--you vote for them. Ignorance has no place in politics.

This is a true statement. Voter suppression has been going on in this country ever since the inception of the Articles of Confederation! Let's take a look: poll taxes, literacy tests, disenfranchisement, grandfather clauses (ruled unconstitutional, but still)...the list goes on and on. These are tactics used by conservatives throughout history to keep the voting rights in the hands of the few. This is why we have the electoral college. We have proven that we no longer need it, because with the advances in technology we have the ability to count votes on the night of the elections!

But with the advancement of technology comes the advancement of political agenda. Let's take the recent electronic voting scandals involving Diebold. Now, with one simple flick of a switch or push of a button, you can make the readout say whatever you want and vote for whichever candidate you want them to say. This is simple...they've proven it.

Now, there is a simple solution to all of this: absentee ballots. Washington State has adopted a completely absentee ballot system, and guess what: it works! It's cheap, it's easy, people can vote at their leisure, and voter turnout has never been higher. Why? Because people can sit in front of the fireplace, with a cup of coffee in their hand, and vote for their next governor, or their state representatives, or their congressmen, or different ballot measures. It's quick and painless, and the voting instructions are not marred by stupid punch-holes or complicated electronic machines. It's simple: here's what you're going to vote for, here's what it does, and if you like it, fill in the "yes" box. If you don't, fill in the "no" box. When you're all done, seal it and send it back. Problem solved.

It's easier than paying your bills, and postage is free. What a concept, huh?

But the Republican party isn't keen on nation-wide absentee ballots. In fact, they want to keep the electronic voting machines simply because they're a hassle and easy to tamper. If you can't stop people from voting by making is severely complicated, then just change the vote altogether. It's sick, and it's wrong. We need to stand up and take back the vote.

-Anteaus