This week is what I call “Constitution Week”…..it is the week of 17 September which is Constitution Day…..In my opinion this olds more prominence than the DoI……why? It laid the groundwork for the laws at the birth of a nation. So this week if nothing major happens that I feel necessary to wrote about, I will be posting several post concerning the Constitution and its implementation….
For many years I have been talking and writing about our Constitution and its relevancy…….it usually gets more intense when I am having to deal with the 2nd amendment….but there other parts that need to be talked about in some depth…
As my title indications I do not think that we should pick and chose parts of the Constitution that we like and disregard those parts that we may find distasteful…….in other words, the document is not a buffet….it is the law by which we are supposed to live…like it ot not.
Take a good look at the voting rights amendment………we have all the misdirection on voter IDs…..I do not think that anyone is against voter ID as long as everyone has the same ID and it is not open to interpretation. But since the SCOTUS decision there has been a wealth of voter suppression bills under the title of Voter ID……..many red states have attacked the rights of voters by making it harder to act….like shortened times, closing polling stations, eliminate weekend voting, eliminate same day registration, etc….and all this is to prevent “Voter Fraud”…..how does that happen?
And then we can look at the NSA thing….a violation of our rights? Yep, but it has been going on for 30 years maybe more and no one was concerned but now…..it is an attack on our rights!
Now I will write on the 2nd amendment….this one ought get some attention……..Missouri has a new law!
The legislation would make it a misdemeanor for federal agents to attempt to enforce any federal gun regulations that “infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms.” The same criminal charges would apply to journalists who publish any identifying information about gun owners. The charge would be punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Missouri is just the latest state to try this…..I believe something similar was tried in Montana recently…….The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a series of laws enacted in Montana that attempt to declare that federal firearms regulations don’t apply to guns made and kept in that state.
All this illustrates what I am talking about…..if these measures pass what is to keep states from nullifying other parts of the Constitution? What is there to keep another state from basically outlawing a part that their legislature does not like?
May I suggest that if one does not appreciate federal law then go back to the way if was during the Articles of Confederation……we can do away with the Constitution and allow all states to do as they see fit…..
Like I said…..the Constitution is not a buffet”!
I’m afraid our use of recall votes is often exploited too by single-issue promoters as it was recently in Colorado that had two elected officials in that state lose their seats to a recall vote simply because they voted for legislation that would require background checks on all guns sells.
You have made a cogent point though Dr. Chuq. People who seem to clamor about “defending the Constitution” are really supporting a return to the pre-Constitution days when the Articles of Confederation were in play.
I am all for recall as long as it is used wisely…so far it has been a disaster……I also do not think that any law should supersede federal law…like it or not that is why we have a constitution….chuq….
I remember recently the recall election of Scott Walker. I’d like to read any articles you’ve written regarding that. I’m not sure what you’re writing about …
“many red states have attacked the rights of voters by making it harder to act….like shortened times, closing polling stations, eliminate weekend voting, eliminate same day registration, etc”
If those statements are true, I don’t see how it’s unfair. The law/rules would apply to everyone. Send me some links so I can check out your claim. To my knowledge, the main beef about Voter ID is exactly that .. a photo ID proving a person is who they claim to be. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to require a photo ID for voting. I mean California is providing drivers licenses for illegals now. How easy can it get?
I hate to be the one to say it, but there are already federally mandated background checks in place to purchase firearms. Any and all legally licensed friearm dealers have to perform them. I have to say this these laws that these intellectually challenged law-makers try to push won’t save one life. Enforcing existing laws and increasing penalties for crimes committed using a gun are common sense actions that produce results. Punish the criminals … not the law-abiding citizen.
Finally the recall election was NOT because the law-makers wanted “simply” background checks for all gun sales. It was much more involved than that. I cannot understand why regular people won’t listen to what Democrats actually say .. that eventually they want a national gun registry and eventually to “dry up” the supply (of firearms) to the American people. Every action taken by the liberals in Congress moves towards those goals.
One, I have written very little about recalls….I may opinion that were stunts…I am for recall but not on any single issue…..
Sorry, if I was unclear….voter ID I have NO problem with at all…..I have a problem when anyone tries to limit access to the ballot box…..Google Iowa, Florida, North Carolina, et al and I am sure all the links you need both pro and con will be there…..most will start with the ID question and that is where all these regs are starting from….in my opinion it is a direct assault on a person’s right to vote…..we should be making it easier not harder to get people to the ballot boxes….I mean we already have a shitty record on people voting…make it easier and maybe we could do batter….
The gun registry is a slogan….the police already have one…NRA already has on……I do not think that anyone is after your or my guns…..we can argue about assault weapons if you like but I have a strong opinion on owning these….yes, there are some that would like to ban all guns…..most do not only in the minds of people like Wayne who is well paid by the gun industry and talk show hosts that need to stir up crap to make themselves relevant….the rest of us have little problem with commonsense actions….
My main point was that too many want to interpret the Constitution to fit their political bias and other parts are NEVER open to interpretation….my thought is all in or scrap and start over….or just let the states make all the rules, which is a disaster in the making…..that will hasten the end of this country that all too many say is coming with the prez we have now…..
“I hate to be the one to say it, but there are already federally mandated background checks in place to purchase firearms. Any and all legally licensed friearm dealers have to perform them.”
Yes, yes. This is a moot point and well understood by everyone who has kept up with this issue. This obviously doesn’t cover howver the sell of privately sold weapons on-line or that can and do occur at gun shows.
Okay, I don’t feel like going round and round in circles over the gun thing. I’ve been literally to countless gun shows and have bought literally hundreds of guns over the years (I’m 64) and I have never once bought one at a gun show without a background check. I’m not saying it can’t happen, I’m just telling you my experience. I don’t see where saying the legislation making it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase firearms makes me look foolish, but it’s cool. Again, it happens to be the criminal (you know, in 100% of the cases involving crimes using firearms) who isn’t and will never be affected by these “background check” laws.
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Okay, I’ll get to the reliable data in a minute, but first I’d like to make some points about the ID thing. First of all, tell me why conservatives aim to reduce the participation in voting? Are there not elderly and low income conservatives? I mean come on! Next, how in the world can someone who is say … 80 years old get that old living in America without having identification? “low income” has absolutely nothing to do with getting a government issued ID which is free.
http://cryandhowl.com/2013/08/15/voter-fraud-facts/
Oh, and finallly voter fraud ultimately impacts every election in some way.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/19/ohio-poll-worker-who-admits-voting-twice-obama-may/
that person is in prison right now.
Apparently you live in a good state….there are too many that do not check……personally, I do not care how many guns a person owns my problem is with the assault weapons which are made to kill people solely…..
See this is what I am talking about….any conservation about the lessen poll hours, eliminating early voting, same registration has nothing to do with voter ID but any conversation goes to the ID question….let me state once and for all…I have NO problem with voter IDs as ;ling as every voter has the same ID…..
There will always be fraud….or at least what people want to call fraud….even with Ids there will still be fraud…..
“I’ve been literally to countless gun shows and have bought literally hundreds of guns over the years”,/i>
Jeezus-god-in-heaven C&H, what are you going to do with that small arsenal?
And I love how you use your personal history to reflect fantastically what you think is the norm. It may be, but we’re not talking about “law abiding citizens” buying guns on-line and at gun shows. We’re talking about those who would buy them for harmful reasons. The right buyer who has an agenda could find the right seller at such locations who is more interested in making a sell than they are worrying about whether the next Aurora, Colo. or Newtown tragedy is going to happen. If only every one thought as you did C&H we might not have to worry about such events but clearly that isn’t the case.
“tell me why conservatives aim to reduce the participation in voting? Are there not elderly and low income conservatives?”
Most elderly who do have a picture ID are usually not worried about their politicians cutting their social security and medicare benefits, just the lower income folks (conservative and liberal) who don’t drive anymore and therefore don’t have a driver’s license.
“how in the world can someone who is say … 80 years old get that old living in America without having identification? “low income” has absolutely nothing to do with getting a government issued ID which is free.”
Not an impossibility for some people born in rural areas, especially women, who were delivered at home by a doctor and records were poorly kept or lost, or destroyed when Smallville’s hospital was hit by a tornado years ago.
And there you go again talking in absolute terms about “low income” having absolutely nothing to do with getting a government issued ID. Do you have any real experience being poor C&H? If so you would know how difficult it is to get to where ever you need to get your “free government picture ID” without a car or a relative to drive you there. Even more difficult if you live in a community with little or no public transportation.
You keep viewing the world through your own personal lens and seem to be unable to know what kind of hassle this bill poses for others, especially since it serves no real purpose in the first place.
“Oh, and finallly voter fraud ultimately impacts every election in some way.”
Of for the love of god. Hyperbole and sentimentality in one sentence. You present one case where a single voter fraud incident occurred and then try to extrapolate it across the larger voter spectrum. Other than throwing the vote in favor of someone who really didn’t muster enough honest votes to get elected, please explain to us how “voter fraud ultimately impacts every election in some way.”
“I have to say this these laws that these intellectually challenged law-makers try to push won’t save one life.”
Ease up there C&H. It’s one thing to express something as an opinion and another to express it as an absolute. One makes you look thoughtful. The other makes you look like a fool.
The notion of a picture ID is being pushed by the GOP under the bogus claim of voter fraud. There is no substantive voter fraud issue in this country except in the minds of conservatives who are employing any and every tactic aimed to reduce participatory democracy by those elderly and low income groups who are less likely to have picture IDs and are inclined to voye for parties other than the GOP.
Can you name one election in the last several decades where voter fraud resulting from no picture ID has effected the outcome of an election? Can you list more than two voter fraud issues at all that impacted the outcome of an election in the last few decades? Please use reliable data, not someone’s opinion and specious arguments.
My friend Ibwoodgate, this is hardly “a single voter fraud incident” …
http://cryandhowl.com/2013/08/15/voter-fraud-facts/
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I don’t have that many guns presently. I have several, but many have been sold and traded off through the years.
It’s no more difficult to obtain the same photo ID that one would use to write a check, rent a car, buy a gun, apply for food stamps, received social security benefits, rent a movie, attend a Democrat convention, visit someone in a hospital, check out a library book, and just about every other transaction or event known to man-kind … require a photo ID. You’re doing the exact same thing that you’re accusing me of. Okay, some 98 year old guy couldn’t get to the polling station … it had nothing to do with his ID. There hasn’t been one person who’s been denied the right to vote if their ID is correct. Stop using isolated instances of … “Not an impossibility for some people born in rural areas, especially women, who were delivered at home by a doctor and records were poorly kept or lost, or destroyed …” Like I said, you’re doing the same thing to me that you’re accusing me of. And it’s the same thing with being “low income” … I think it’s sad the poor are exploited by the left, clearly to justify blatant fraud. Explain to me why suddenly immigration “reform” is suddenly such a priority. The politicians are using and exploiting those people for a vote. You’re not going to convince me that politicians give a rat’s rear-end about the well-being of illegal aliens beyond giving them food assistance and welfare, securing the vote primarily because politicians need to keep the poor, poor … for the vote. And they use people like you guys to promote their agenda. I can’t understand how you fall for it every time. No one wants to see poor people living in poverty. But you educate and train them to make a better life for themselves instead of making them helpless. It’s just like the sign … “Do Not Feed The Animals … They Will Grow Dependent On Scraps And Not Be Able To Fend For Themselves.”
The voter fraud issues you try to legitimize with links on your website deal with absentee ballots at best that don’t require a photo ID. There were many allegations and no convictions. The one in Idaho was a court case to determine if voter fraud even occurred
The links to Alabama, California and Colorado had nothing about voter fraud at all.
The link that stated that 24 million voter registrations are invalid has nothing to do with voter fraud but the inefficiency of the voter registration system that entails nothing about needing photo IDs. Did you even read this PEW article?
You used this same report in another link to make it look like you had extra evidence
I didn’t waste my time clicking on any of the other links C&H because clearly you have fudged on the facts and distorted the reality about voter fraud as it relates to the need for a photo ID
The Brennan Center for Justice has thoroughly studied this issue and has found that “voter fraud claims reveal that voter fraud is very rare, voter impersonation is nearly non-existent and much of the problems associated with alleged fraud in elections relates to unintentional mistakes by voters or election administrators. Their report ‘The Truth About Voter Fraud’ reveals most allegations of fraud turn out to be baseless — and that of the few allegations remaining, most reveal election irregularities and other forms of election misconduct.”
”It’s no more difficult to obtain the same photo ID that one would use to write a check, rent a car, buy a gun, apply for food stamps, received social security benefits, rent a movie, attend a Democrat convention, visit someone in a hospital, check out a library book, and just about every other transaction or event known to man-kind … require a photo ID.” I think you’re confused C&H. There’s a big difference between consumer fraud and voter fraud. Yes, cashing a check, renting a car or buying anything requires a photo ID because billions have been lost to merchants through consumer fraud. Please show me where this same kind of loss has occurred as a result of voter fraud. And BTW, I needed no photo ID to enroll in and receive my social security nor have I ever been to a hospital or retirement home that required a photo ID to see some one in these institutions. Your hyperbole is kicking back in.
”There hasn’t been one person who’s been denied the right to vote if their ID is correct.”
Never said there was. Why would you even suggest this straw man argument? On the other hand. Some seniors who have been registered to vote for years have been denied to vote after voter ID laws were passed.
”And they use people like you guys to promote their agenda. I can’t understand how you fall for it every time. No one wants to see poor people living in poverty. “
WTF!?! Don’t pull this switch and bait crap on me C&H. If you can’t defend your shit against legitimate challenges then do the honorable thing and simply bow out. I find it pathetic when I get in an argument with someone who never thinks they’re wrong and is determined to make a fool of themselves trying to prove it.
C&H and Larry….once again we are focusing on the ID issue…I do not think it is a problem….what I want to know is why few on the Right seem to zero in on that and not the add-ons to bills about voter time limits, fewer hours, fewer polls, eliminating same day registration, and other mark-ups….those are the parts that I am most concerned with….I have said on many occasions I have NO problem with IDs as long as everyone has the same ID….I keep waiting for that discussion to open up……and I wait…..
“.what I want to know is why few on the Right seem to zero in on that and not the add-ons to bills about voter time limits, fewer hours, fewer polls, eliminating same day registration, and other mark-ups”</i.
I too would be interested in seeing the side C&H seems to favor open up about this and extrapolate it equally to the poor, physically handicapped and elderly. As for me, it's is simply following the path of the old Jim Crow laws to limit those voters the GOP feels are not favorable to them.
If C&H feels differently he should explain why only such efforts in the states that are fomenting these restrictions are being pushed by the GOP. If voter fraud is as wide spread as he claims why aren't both Parties vigorously pushing such an agenda?
I think I’ve given far too much credit to Mr. Ibwoodgate. Making the claim that my link provides for many “allegations” yet no convictions is not just absurd but, sad to say, typical of many liberals. When the piece points out the fact that 46 states (out of … uh … 57 with one to go?) have prosecuted or convicted cases of voter fraud I would hesitate to say “no convictions” … but not in Mr. Ibwoodgate’s mine. So it’s time for ol’ steve to move on as it’s gotten beyond ridiculous.
When The Ohio Secretary of State admitted that multiple Ohio counties have more registered voters than residents and that Federal records showed 160 counties in 19 states have over 100 percent voter registration … well … my case is rested.
Again Mr. Lobotero, I’d like to see the references of “fewer hours, fewer polls, eliminating same day registration, and other mark-ups”, and if those claims are true, how those things would affect only Democrats.
C&H, because Ohio may have a superb record does not mean that all other red states…….
http://www.fairelectionsnetwork.com/attacks-voting-rights
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/13/north-carolina-s-attack-on-voting-rights.html
http://www.thisismyvote.org/
I am sure that if you would like more then just use the reliable Google machine……
I read through the “Fair Elections Legal Network” site and it saddens me to say it’s hardly “non-partisan” group. Robert Brandon was/is a consultant for the DNC and all the other staff members are Democrats. Personally, I don’t care where information comes from as long as it’s accurate and truthful. But as I read the throught the topics it’s the same tired line of crap. On one hand they gripe about not getting enough time to get to the polls or vote by mail … in the next breath they gripe about not being able to have election day registration. They’re trying to have it both ways … or all ways. And the claim that “these laws have the effect of discouraging voting among minorities, low-income voters, the elderly, voters with disabilities, young people, women, and low-wage workers,” is simply bogus. They don’t site HOW they discourage voting among those groups; they simply make the claim.
Like I said, if it affects the Democrat voters how could the very same laws not affect Republican voters?
They’re going to have to come up with more than one or two 90 year old people who couldn’t find the time to vote in a total of 38 days (17 for early voting and 21 for voting by mail) to convince me that it’s an insufferable hard ship.
It saddens me that we exchange links that point out different aspects…..the problem is the Right would be jumping up and down if these things had been done in blue states. We should be finding ways to get more people to vote not finding ways to limit it…..do care which side is doing what…this is to keep some people from voting and it has little to do with IDs…
”I read through the “Fair Elections Legal Network” site and it saddens me to say it’s hardly “non-partisan” group.
Really C&H? What exactly did you read? Only that cherry-picked information that would justify you trying to kill the messenger to prevent the message from being read? If you “read through” the link I provided you then what is your reaction to this fact stated on page 6.
Royal Masset, the former political director of the Republican Party of Texas, once stated that it is an “article of religious faith that voter fraud is causing us to lose elections”. [Masset himself] doesn’t agree with that, but does believe that requiring photo IDs could cause enough of a dropoff in LEGITIMATE (emphasis mine) Democratic voting to add 3 percent to the Republican vote.
”I don’t care where information comes from as long as it’s accurate and truthful.”
Then you must be disappointed in your own blog that tried to validate that there is rampant voter fraud going on this country using only news clippings that spoke more to the voting system deficits and problems with absentee ballots, NOT voter fraud that resulted from a lack of a photo ID. Please share with us exactly how many of these reports you provided resulted in actual convictions of Voter ID fraud where photos were involved
And please C&H, tells as exactly what is was that you found in your readings that you claim are inaccurate and untruthful. Please be sure to supply us with the resources that verify these claims giving specific details that we can validate, not just your specious opinion about how it is “the same old crap”.
”And the claim that “these laws have the effect of discouraging voting among minorities, low-income voters, the elderly, voters with disabilities, young people, women, and low-wage workers,” is simply bogus. They don’t site HOW they discourage voting among those groups; they simply make the claim.”
Let me refer you to the above comments made by Royal Masset, the former political director of the Republican Party of Texas.
”Like I said, if it affects the Democrat voters how could the very same laws not affect Republican voters?”
Here at least is one example I can cite for you. If the state is simply requiring a photo ID to vote then why would the GOP-dominant Tennessee state legislature pass a Voter ID law that among other sources would allow a Tennessee handgun carry permit with photo, but specifically deny Student ID cards from state universities. Might it have something to with how young, college age students voted for Obama in record numbers in 2008 and gun owners tend to vote republican?
Another legitimate argument is that lower income working people tend to vote Democratic. When state GOP legislatures pass voter ID laws that restrict the time available to vote and refusing to push election days to a weekend day choosing instead to keep it on Tuesday, a work day, then lower income working people will have less access to the voting booth than high-income earners who are often salaried and can break from their work routine much easier to vote. Most high income earners are more white than they are ethnic minorities (who tend to vote Democratic) and we all know how Republicans always win the white vote, especially among males.
If you want to leave this blog site because it’s getting too challenging to support your views C&H then don’t let the door hit you in the butt on your way out.
It’s no challenge sir. There are some things one can’t fix.ff
It is written … “the simple believeth every word but the prudent man looketh well to his going”. It’s also written to “answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be like unto him”.
I apprecitate your backing up my claim:
http://cryandhowl.com/2013/08/26/why-liberals-use-stupidity-to-win-an-argument/
No need to worry about my butt.
Seriously C&H? Some how it all fits I suppose. Unable to convince me that you hold the moral high ground here I guess all you are left with is the pretentious position of dispensing biblical scripture that I’m sure you feel righteously selected to do. Good grief!