Since Wednesday's court ruling, Pennsylvania's controversial voter ID law, which could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of predominantly Democratic voters, now looks more likely than not to be in place on Election Day. So Thursday night, The Ed Show looked at what voting rights groups are doing to help make sure everyone can cast a ballot.
It's a huge challenge. Voters who lack an ID—estimated at as many as 758,000, or 9 percent of the state—need to assemble several types of docuemtnation including a birth certificate, then find time to get to the DMV in order to get an ID before the election.
Zach Stallberg of the Committee of 70, a Philadelphia-based good-government group, said as many as 145 organizations, including the NAACP, the ACLU, bar associations, and neighborhood groups, have come together to start work.
"We are runnig an aggressive, all-out drive to make sure that people know what they need," Stallberg said. "We're knocking on doors, we're driving them to the transportation centers, we're helping counsel them through the process."
Stallberg added: "We're doing everything possible in a nonpartisan way to make sure that as many people as possible can vote."
Meanwhile on the other side of the state in Allegheny County, Steven Singer, a teacher, told Ed he'd started a petition on the issue, which had gained 2300 signatures in two weeks. Singer is calling on local election officials not to enforce the ID law.
Singer said the law "violates people's civil rights," adding: "The parents of the kids I teach are adversely affected by this law, and I just can't sit by and let that happen. These people deserve the right to vote, it's that simple."
The Obama campaign so far has been relatively quiet about Pennsylvania's voting law, for reasons that aren't clear. "Obama does have people assigned to voter ID in Pennsylvania," Stallberg said. "We just haven't seen much of the result."
The stakes are high. President Obama won Pennsylvania relatively comfortably last time around, but it's expected to be closer this time. And if hundreds of thousands of Obama supporters are barred from voting, that could make all the difference.
"This is gonna be one of the biggest political lifts when it comes to advocacy I think we've ever seen in contemporary times," said Ed Schultz. "And if it doesn't happen, I'm not convinced that President Obama can win Pennsylvania."
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Great! So glad to hear it! Maybe the republicans have inadvertently woke up the sleeping dogs! Certainly hope so.................
Keep on keeping on democrats..............it matters!
Obama/Biden 2012
The President should an Exectute Order to LEADERHIP to rely the VOTE FOR FEDERAL Administration. What happened to the Excute order for the LATINOS?
Again can't let public opinion get in the way of a non story:
The Washington Post poll showed 74 percent of adults support requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls to 23 percent who oppose such measures. 48 percent said they feel voter fraud is a “major problem” and 33 percent said this was a “minor problem.” Only 14 percent said voter fraud was “not a problem.”
So a pollster got 74% of the people he asked to give him an answer he wanted. Yep thats real science to a tea bagged republican who only looks at polls that share his beliefs.
I am extremely encouraged to hear this.
Grassroots organizing is the only Progressive defense against the willfully malicious, Rightwing war against women, the young, the old, minorities, LBGT's, students, the Middle Class, and science.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/08/15/13296590-court-clears-pennsylvania-voter-suppression-scheme?lite
Also watch for widespread "chaos" in Pennsylvania voting. The state is somehow supposed to process the paperwork for hundreds of thousands of eligible voters who don't have the required ID over the course of a couple of months -- a task that's an unrealistic logistical nightmare.
Hey Thankful. Good to see yo here today ! There is HOPE after all !
I think you may have missed some quotes I left yesterday on the blog.
Here is my favorite one :
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.
Winston Churchill
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/truth.html#pmVOl0Brl3itT4TI.99
Do you think that Robme Hood and Ryan of Rottingham have read this one ?
I may be wrong, but I think one option is to apply for and mail in absentee ballots. It's what my handicapped daughter-in-law will do. I think others could use it as well, though not certain.
I agree you you. They did mention that on TV last night. Perhaps if they sent it registed mail. They reported that historically the minority's wanted to place their ballot in the box or in someone's hand in order to make sure it was not thrown away or misplaced intentionally.
Registered mail would cost money but perhaps some organizations could pitch in a help some of the elderly and/or poor with the expense if needed and it would make sure it did not become a dropped "chid".
Good idea!
Hope the Republicans do not close the Post Offices if hundreds of thousands decide to take this route to vote....
If voter fraud is not a significant problem, I would wonder why 74% of this nation thinks it is. Could it be that conservative media sources are falsely educating our electorate with red herrings instead of factual data and fear factors. Ya think???
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/policy_brief_on_the_truth_about_voter_fraud/
There are far more chances of getting voter fraud by voting by mail, than in person. Why is the right not limiting mailed in ballots? Are they REALLY not concerned about valid votes or just WHICH votes they deem valid?
No kidding, we can't let them get away with this. Vote!!! Obama/Biden 2012
Power to the people.
Power to the Democrats to fight the pathological lying draft-dodging, tax-dodging, no-taxes for me Romney!
Romney did not dodge the draft. He pays his taxes. He is not a pathological lier.
So we got a tea bagged republican who can not resist repeating every lie the GOP commands him to repeat saying robme hood isn't a pathological liar. Hey cow man here is a clue when you yourself lie you can not see when someone else lies rather you believe the person telling the truth is lying.
Whom, you are so far up Prez Nestles backside you even have a though of your own that is not provided by the party with a jackass for their symbol, but then again it is so appropriate given your paper thin comments to those with opposing views.
Final point all Conservatives are not Republicans or Tea Party Members, but in your case is seems all Democrats are their symbol.
And you're so far up Robme's a$$ you can't see or hear the truth. What have you righties got against the truth? What have you righties got against checking anything from more than one source? What have you righties got against this country? What have you righties got against the lower income, poor or disabled? These are honest questions. I'd like to see at least some honest replies, but won't hold my breath.
Ho-lee-crap, 4 times he evaded the draft through deferments, dear. Whilst promoting the draft and the WAR! Hypocrite!
I paid over 29% for my taxes. Romney paid either 13 % or 0%. My money is on 0%. Why? He's a damn liar.
Does that discrepancy sound fair to you? Do you know anyone with 100 Million in their IRA? The legal amount is $6000.00. Oh, but he wouldn't evade his taxes....NOOO. Not Mitt.....
Time will tell, won't it? Like it did about his lie of MASS residency that he asked us to trust him on. Now we are into the Trust, but Verify mode.
Hey, Larry! How's the painting going?
Do you like me new flip flops? I want a T-shirt made of them with Romney on one shoe and Ryan on the other.
India. Still working on it. It's hot here. Like you're flip flops. Maybe I can find the picture and transfer it to T-shirts. I've done it before with my racing logo.
Funny how tea bagged republicans come onto Ed's blog to spread GOP lies which every Ed fan knows they are doing and they are so delusional they believe they have the credibility to attack an Ed show fans credibility.
They're just venting. No one else listens to them.
It does make you pity them with their little kernels of misinformation they throw out.....do they really think Romney served any where other then France perhaps as as "missionary" or that his sons serving at his side while he runs for president is his equivalent of serving in the military?
Some of my Republican friends as ashamed as I am to admit it are due to their parents perhaps/success in business/environment i.e. friends or who knows what else are the most closed minded, prejudiced people I know. It does not matter where they attended college or how many $$$$$ is in the bank they are ignorant and cannot be budged on logical things......I do not understand what being a die hard Republican does to the brain that makes the word compromise such a bad word. They want it their way or no way and to Hell with America if they do not get it....such as the deadlock in the House and Senate the last four years.
Good to hear!! Living in WI, I can report that since Ryan was announced Pres. Obama still lead's 49-44%, And I still say to Ryan, WHY didn't YOU and Robme go to your hometown??? Or any town in YOUR District??
Educating people to get a valid ID is not and should not be a fight. It's something needed by all. Sad to know that 9 percent of potential voters need help getting something as simple as a valid ID. Why do we consider a valid ID an issue anyway? This seems more like someone looking for something, anything, to argue about.
And you are not getting the picture it is not about having a valid ID that is a bull@!$%# excuse the GOP made up. You just want to stick your fingers in your ears and pretend that ID's people have used for 20 or 30 years are no longer acceptable is ok. That is what this is about as well as the limitation of places where you can get the ID from. Then there is the timing, this should have started after the last election not 3 months from election day.
The only way you're going to get the required ID to most of the potential Democratic voters is to go into the inner cities and other places where there are large concentrations of such voters.
To do this will require the help of well-known musicians, TV and film stars, athletes, and others who support Obama. People the potential Dem voters will want to see and meet. Go into these neighborhoods. Put on concerts, conduct autograph sessions, and make personal appearances. Create events around the idea of obtaining the necessary voter ID, as well as voter registration.
Publicize them liberally (pun intended). Tell people there to bring necessary ID as the "admission charge." Have tables with the necessary paperwork for the ID. Have qualified registrars there to do voter registration. Obama's voter registration drives in the swing states haven't been doing well. Here's a way to give them a big push.
In Pennsylvania and Ohio, that means going into Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. In Florida, make a big push in Dade County and the rest of south Florida. Hit the big universities.
Democrats are going to have to go into places where there are heavy concentrations of likely Dem voters, especially young people, minorities, and retirees concerned about SS and Medicare. They'll need to find unregistered potential voters and get them registered.
If celebrities in Hollywood, New York City, and other safely "blue" states want to make an impact on the election, they will bring their talents and publicity machines to the swing states that are the focus of Republican voter suppression efforts. Soon.
Wasn't it supposed to be illegal to purge voter rolls within 90 days of a general election? What happened to that? Thank God there are still good people who prize democracy over money, who are willing to make sure everyone gets a chance to vote!
In the past a college photo ID would have done in Penn. now they do not want the college age people voting for President Obama so they are adding that one more little cost and step of difficulty (how many college kids have a raised seal birth certificate even the college probably does not require that for admission) to get an OFFICIAL Penn. ID.
The sad thing is this Govenor will probably get re-elected when ever it is time because he will have eliminated so many from voting by then Penn. will be resembling the "Hunger Games" .
straightticket, I am afraid you are right about PA and the hunger games. The ones who need Obama the most (blue collar workers,white men) will do anything to get Obama out. It's sad.
After Ed Rendell, this governor is even more of a horror as Ed was well liked. He has turned PA into a fracking paradise as well. It's all about big money with the GOP, but somehow these folks in W. PA don't get it or don't care. There's a surprising amount of racism here.
I have a passport and driver's licence so I am good. Same with my husband. I will want to leave the country if they win, but may not be able to.
Voting is a right guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution. This is different than going down to the liquor store and buying booze. Voting is a right period. The 1965 Voting Rights law clearly outlaws poll taxes. We know that this new Pennsylvania law requires that people get birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other specific documents in order to prove they were born in the U.S. etc. For older adults, who may have been born in someone's private house, not uncommon in the 1920's or even 1930's, getting a birth certificate can be a real ordeal. Plus many states and counties charge money for these documents. So this Pennsylvania law is clearly a poll tax that violates the 1965 Voting Rights law. So the Pennsylvania law is clearly unconstitutional based on plenty of case law to support the definition of a poll tax.
Secondly, this Pennsylvania law was signed into legality by a Republican Governor and passed by a Republican legislature to retard the vote in strong Democratic counties in metropolitan Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and a few other Democratic leaning counties around the state. Clearly the GOP planned to do this in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida in order to suppress the Democratic votes in these key swing states that will decide this presidential election. The GOP/ALEC alliance has seen to this since 2010 or even earlier. We need to ask ourselves how significant the alleged voting fraud was in these three states? The answer is that documented voter fraud cases were virtually none existent in all three of these states period. The Republican leader in the Pennsylvanian state legislature even bragged about voter ID will turn his state to Romney in this election. So we need to see this for what it is: the Republican corporate mafia trying to rig the election against Democrats and President Obama this November. If you can not see this voter suppression issue for what it is then you are not the brightest candle on the cake when it comes to politics.
So is the right to bear arns as listed in the 2nd amendment of the constituition. We have to show ID to buy a firearm so therfore we should be protesting and complaing about that. After all it is a constituitonal right so we would be hypocrites if we dont bring this up as well. Anybody foolish enough to buy into this bs is got to be very naive. Its very simple just get an ID even the ilegals in California are lining up to get them. Not in Arizona though Gov Brewer want let the ilegals get IDs in that state.
High rolla idiot: Go read the 1965 Voting Rights Act that outlawed poll taxes. You can not charge people to get an ID to vote. If you charge a person to get supporting documents to get an ID to vote you are charging the a poll tax. Poll taxes are unconstitutional period. Plus, in the Pennsylvania law there was no proof of widespread voter fraud given by the defendants in the civil law suit. Many poor people, Seniors, college students, and minority people in the lower socioeconomic level do not have cars. As many as 800,000 Pennsylvanians will be discriminated against by this unnecessary infringement on their voting rights.
We Democrats need to fight you GOP SOB's until the end of the earth if necessary on this voter suppression issue. You conservatives are the enemy of American values. Democrats must fight this law by declaring war on voter suppression. Pull out all the stops. Launch local and state wide protests. File a federal lawsuits and start screaming in the media about the violation of our constitutional rights to vote caused by this hack job of a GOP law that discriminates against minorities plain and simple. Democrats need to go on offense and stay on offense. Get angry and get even against the enemy of the people the ALEC/GOP sponsored voter suppression laws that are unconstitutional.
"Its very simple just get an ID even the ilegals in California are lining up to get them. Not in Arizona though Gov Brewer want let the ilegals get IDs in that state."
She want? Poor i-legals.
Speling duzzent seam to be yur thang. But, then, apparently, neither is thinking.
" Voter suppression laws that will guarantee a Romney win in Penn.....DONE"!- Penn State Legislation leader. That explains it all.
High Rolla: Illegals in California are lining up to obtain legal IDs? Plug up the hole in your head, I dont think you have much brain matter left. BTW, you irresponsible gun owners are responsible for the less than stellar laws we currently have in place for gun ownership. Lastly, when is the last time a vote ballot killed someone. Horrid analogy.
high,
if President Obama were putting restrictions/regulations on buying guns like the repubs are doing to voting rights, you all would be having a cow.
i'm not familiar with all the restrictions/regulations related to the ID's needed to vote, but in most cases a very specific ID is needed. i'm sure you have heard that STUDENT ID'S are not acceptable to vote, but a gun license is. in many cases, if the ID does not have an expiration date, it is not acceptable either.
i might be able to understand an ID to vote (in my state we have to show ID), but why are the repub-led states in such a hurry to get this done before the 2012 election? why are certain ID's that have been used in the past NOT GOOD ENOUGH NOW? why have counties that tend to vote repub given extra days and longer hours (sec. of state {pennsylvania?} caved on that because of pressure). can you honestly say you don't see repubs unabashedly trying to push this through before the election?
if repubs were affected by these laws, you would see the unfairness and question why certain ID's are unacceptable, and you would be concerned about the # of people who will be unable to get ID. many people will be disenfranchised.
you all say you hate regulations. you hate regulations on business and guns and religion.
but you LOVE regulations on voting to make it more difficult, and you all LOVE regulations of gays and uteruses.
the repub party is the party of big deficits, big gov't, big regulations.
Why is it only democrates who are to stupid to get an ID. ID is one of the easiest things in this country ro get only an idiot could not Get an ID. Why are you saying Dems are to stupid to get an ID? If Im not mistake the Supreme Court just ruled on taxing for any reason that includes poll tax. So the 1965 law that says you cant tax has been overriden by the suprme court. Rex you might want to keep up with the current laws of the land. I just dont buy the fact that dems are to stupid to get an ID. Judge Roberts ruling recently in the supreme court makes your poll tax argument completly false. Damn Rex you realy are a dumb ass.
Another thing as well spelling my not be my thing but Im smart enough to get an ID. Only an complete idiot cant get an ID.
Very strict criteria for an official id: must be unexpired state ID which means if you are 90 no expired drivers license or military license; to obtain official ID you need official birth certificate with raised seal (like gold seal with notary stamp)...no big deal if have one if you don't $15-25 from the court house of the county you were born in (unless you are old....before the issued birth certificates or you were born at home or by a midwife)....now if you were born in another state...try South Carolina....they may be housed in a basement of the court house or somewhere else in that county. As a school nurse who has had to chase parents or grandparents of a child for a birth certificate in order to remain in school sometimes it takes them months to find an official one! There is a monetary cost but worse than that sometimes it seems like an almost impossible mission to obtain the birth certificate. How many 80 and older or poor people will just throw up there hands and give up the battle. This is profiling and a poll tax at it's worse.
Rex, Since I was a child, we've always had liquor stores in PA called "State Stores". The tax revenue helped the state, though my contribution was minimal. LOL
Now our charming GOP Governor, Mr. Corbett wants to privatize liquor stores. Which lobbyist do you think has Mr. Corbett's ear? LOL
Hi Rolla, Tell it to the elderly, without a vehicle, poor and difficult bus service, and living on $600.00 a month in small towns here in W. PA, near where I live! Some have no raised seal certificate of birth. Without that, now, or a driver's licence, they are S.O.L. aren't they. It costs too much for them to obtain a proper certificate from Harrisburg. I applied for one years ago, and, as I recall, (could be wrong, as it was LONG ago) it cost $31.00.
This is a poll tax and only a poll tax. It should be illegal.
I was wrong: $18.00 for that. I knew I did not recall the amount.
STILL A POLL TAX!
India. They're trying the same thing here with the liquor stores. They may have already got it done. I see several problems with it other than lost revenue.
India you realy should offer these old people some help. Im dead serious maybe you could take a little time and see if you cant help them get an ID. When I was homeless and working day labor in vegas I lost my wallet I had to hustle up the money to get my ID from the DMV. The hardest thing to replace was my social security card. I had to get information from my home state mailed to the homeless shelter. Here in my town we help old people out that need a hand doing things. You should think about volunteering some of you time and help somebody if you can.
I do that, highrolla. I have a van, and can help with transportation, too.
Sorry to hear you were homeless. I can only sort of relate to that. In 04 our home was leveled by a hurricane. That was pretty bad, but FEMA was helpful and we eventually found a place to live. Scary, though.
One last thought: Where the hell is the Department of Justice on this whole matter of voter's rights being violated in Pennsylvania? AG Eric Holder really needs to address this issue immediately. Write to the Obama campaign and ask them what they are going to do to challenge this clear GOP violation of voter rights in Pennsylvania? We need a federal lawsuit filed now, not six months from now. I am a little frustrated with the Obama administration right now. When is a federal lawsuit going to be filed? Wake up AG Eric Holder, we need federal action to suspend this discriminatory law in Pennsylvania now, before the election.
The republican mantra "I am going to take your voting rights, but you had better leave my gun alone cause it's my constitutional right"!
Shameful, disgusting, unpatriotic scumbags!
I challenge all individuals who think their vote doesn't matter and is considering sitting this one out.................do it for those who have had their rights stolen from them.............take your ID and vote democratic for the people who the republicans reclassified as slaves!
Chain-gang republicans with their guns and fees! Loathsome!
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD !
With the so called AG we have, there is no Dept of Justice.
So I guess it's not so difficult to get the proper ID then if you really want to vote and feel it's important, right?
Last I saw he is being prosecuted for gun running that happened when Bush was in White House,
What really makes me wonder is the Big donor in Las Vegas who has donated 60 million or so to Romney is under 2 Federal investigations for money Laundering...one is with drug lord in Mexico?????.....makes you wonder if the pay off to Romney "quid pro quo" pay off to take Eric Holder out of the picture and make his cases go away if Romney is elected.
Really ugly decision Supreme Court Justice Robert making monster mistake opening up unlimited secret money legal for campaigning:-( If Romney wins American will never be the same unless the senate and house both go democrat....that would be the only hope.
Mitt can't get away with the lies forever. Even the best con men eventually get caught.
How can I donate to help their fight?!?!? It's not democracy unless everyone participates!
Need photo ID in Pennsylvania 2 vote? See Dept. of Health site - BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS FREE! Pass this on!
Birth certificates may be free in PA, but not everyone that lives there was born there. Try getting a birth certificate in another state and see how free that is. You are looking at money for mailing and the BC. That is not FREE!
In OR to get a BC, even wjen you were born here, it costs $65.00.
Has to be raised seal birth certificate....not just a typed information printed. This law they passed is so strict and restrictive it could not be more restrictive. A copy of a birth certificate will not be accepted.
Voter ID would be alright but not for the reason these rats are trying to pull. Republicans are lower than a snakes belly for doing this at this time
x
Please explain why people think that this law will only impact democratic voters? This law is in place for all citizens of Pennsylvania that are legally eligible to vote. Why are these dissenters implying that democrats are somehow inferrior?
Because they've figured out the kinds of ID that most Republicans already have, and declared that those satisfy the requirements. The Republicans identified those who tend to vote Democratic--the elderly, the poor, inner city residents (who tend not to have driver's licenses), and those who tend to be transient (like college students)--and they declared that the types of identification THOSE people are likely to have WON'T satisfy the requirements.
That's why this impacts Dems more than Republicans. The legislation was written to create that impact.
Wow, I can't believe your whole show is about republican lies and no one is doing any research about The President getting into office under with very sketchy credentials. We couldn't even get the truth about his birth certificate until three years later. We are skeptical about his citizenship, his patriotism, his loyalty to this country. We are not sure if he is "in bed" with socialist groups to get financing for his campaign, because he hides everything. And you are worried about Romney's taxes! How about finding out the truth about ACORN, the Fast and Furious scandal, Solyndra, his executive orders allowing illegals the same rights as citizens. Also, republicans are not saying citizens CAN'T vote - they are saying prove you are a citizen. And what an insult to people who are economically disadvantage to say they are too dumb to read and pass a driving test or to show 2 forms of proof of residency.
Any of the Republican bogeymen that you left out? I don't see any. Looks like you've imbibed the entire pitcher of Kool-Aid. You must spend a lot of time watching Faux News Channel.
Just another Fake news parrot.
ninnc. You're so full of it. You can't be so stupid as to believe his BC wasn't checked when he signed the papers to run for President, again when he got the nomination and again before he was swaorn in. I wish you birther idiots would learn how the process works. Fill out the papers to run for President. Anybody can. See how many agencies check your back ground from the time you were born. Everybody you know, every teacher, etc. Try it.
Fast and Furious scandal and Solyndra were started with Bush who I have to throw a bone is at least actting with class and staying out of this mess.
This pile of your know what was waist deep when President Obama took office.
Nothing so dull as a teaparty birther let your brain open up a tad....American cannot go backward.....we are not a third world yet thank goodness!
This is SO not surprising. When you have Thurston Howell III and Gilligan running for office?! This has been part of the plan all along. How else could they win or but to sideline the election>
The voter suppression law is a plan by ALEC and the GOP to suppress the vote of Democratic voters in the key swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The GOP is out to get Democratic voters in these states period. Again, minorities, college students, Seniors, and poor people who live in the inner city do not own cars nor do they have driver's licenses. About 10% of the people in Pennsylvania add up to over 800,000 voters who must get many documents that cost money together, take a day off of work, and go to a state office in Pennsylvania to go get a state issued ID. Many citizens will not be able to accomplish this because it is too expensive, too time consuming or too difficult for them to do this. Does anyone expect 80 year old or physically frail Senior Citizens to go down to a state office many miles away from their home to get a new voter ID? How about college students that have no money or a car to go to get a new ID?
Whoever wrote this law deliberately knew all of this because the idea is to suppress the vote so Mitt Romney has an unfair advantage in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and in Florida. More importantly the GOP voter ID laws are unconstitutional because they unfairly discriminate against poor peoples right to vote and issue a poll tax on the poor. This law will not stand up to a test in Federal Court because it is clearly unconstitutional. I challenge any Republican to prove that voter fraud is a major problem in our elections. Despite all of the bitching by the GOP this is a manufactured issue with no credible documentation of widespread voter fraud. Pennsylvania had almost no cases of any fraudulent votes because of a person pretending to be someone else. Voting judges in local elections are quite good at catching imposters and detecting irregularities in the vote when one looks across the whole country. So the proof lies with the conservatives and they have zero proof of widespread voter fraud that justifies these laws. Facts, suck for conservatives don't they?
If that chain of thought were followed then Romney would not be eligible to run for president.....so far he refuses to show his tax returns. He provided one incomplete tax returne so far?????
Straight..
one again you have been caught in a stupid statement...the last one was the fact that you said he was Governor of PA, and now this one. He has supplied one completed return (2010) and one partial return. As of yet, he is not the official Republican nominee, so he has no LEGAL requirement to have released anything.
The second part of your stupid statement...he has shown he has paid taxes and paid LARGE amounts of taxes, probably more in one year than you will pay in your lifetime.
just saying...
X,
no one is suggesting that taxes be raised "through the roof".
when w. bush signed the 2nd part of the bush tax cuts into law (march 2003), he also invaded iraq (the same month). he kept the iraqi and afghanistan wars and medicare part D off the books, in affect lying to the american people about the TRUE cost of the wars and HIS GOV'T. who goes to war and gives tax cuts to the rich at the same time?
i also don't hear anyone complaining about the cost of an I.D. we are "bent out of shape" because this cost is RELATED TO the restrictive I.D.'s that repubs say are needed to exercise OUR RIGHT TO VOTE.
DMV's have been closed in area's (districts) where democratic voters are in the majority, and this is just one obstacle that has been put in the way of getting an I.D., making it more difficult for voters to get an I.D.
storm,
i doubt if the entitled and special mitt romney (the presumptive repub nominee for pres) feels he has an obligation, legal or otherwise, to release anything more in regard to taxes or anything else.
i understand why he might want to keep his finances private, especially if he has played the "GAME" that lindsey graham says all "patriotic" rich americans play to see how little they can pay in taxes, and the answer to that is SIMPLE, WITHDRAW FROM RUNNING.
but this game is something mitt is smart enough to only discuss with his rich friends in QUIET ROOMS.
Suzette...where is the Left's outrage when it comes to people having to show an ID to be able to purchase a handgun or rifle? Why isnt the left screaming about how the rights of these minorities and senior citizens are being suppressed in regards to guns? Why do I have to show an ID to do that...which is a right guaranteed to me under the constitution?
In SC, people are offered transportation to go get the FREE ID's, yet the left still screams.
If Mitt was to release additional tax returns.., and I am sure they are all in compliance with US laws, the left would just find some minor detail to scream about. It could be that he got a write off on something you don't like, or it could be that his rates was lower than you think is "fair" or that he made more money than you think he should have. Well,,,,guess what? None of that matters because if the deductions are legal and the percentage is what it is supposed to be, then the only thing the left can do about it is write their elected officials and have the laws changed. The IRS will look into his returns and make the determination if he has broken any laws. IF he has, then let them charge him with a crime...as they should.
The left is simply trying to find anything they can to avoid having to discuss the real issues of this election. If Obama and his supporters are so proud of his own "accomplishments"...then focus his campaign on that, not these distractions.
just saying...
storm,
people should have to show an ID to buy a gun, IN MY OPINION. i see no reason why we should be outraged at the fact that ID's and background checks SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT TO PURCAHASE A FIREARM.
why is a gun ID sufficient for voting and not a student ID?
you are not listening to us. we do not object to showing ID to vote. we object to the restrictive nature of the new voting ID laws in the following states THAT MAKE VOTING MORE DIFFICULT: florida, illinois, maine, ohio, texas, alabama, kansas, tennessee, georgia, west virginia, iowa, mississippi, south carolina, rhode island. new measures include restrictions on where people can regisiter to vote, less time for early voting, and stricter laws requiring people to provide gov't issued photo ID.
african americans and other racial and ethnic minorities are very heavily targeted. also the poor, and those who do not drive, or have cars are also heavily targeted.
new laws are targeting convicted felons, felons who have completed their sentences, who have jobs and pay taxes. in florida, iowa, virginia and kentucky, anyone convicted of a felon, has their right to vote denied permanently.
in texas, student ID's are not an accepted form of ID, but a gun license is.
gun ownership (the second ammendment) is expanding.
the right to vote (listed in the 15th, the 19th and 26th ammendment) is narrowing. new policies mean that as many as 5 million eligible voters will lose their right to choose the next president, as happened in florida in 2000.
just saying.
Suzette...Please reread lots of the comments here...they are against any type of ID having to be shown. I am in favor of expanding the types of ID's accepted in order to make it easier on everyone.
The argument from the left is that voting is a RIGHT...and I agree with that...it is, as long as you can prove who you are...just like you have to do in order to buy a weapon.
just saying..
We are not against "any type of ID having to be shown". We are concerned, as all should be, when the republican party, infamous for voter tampering and manipulation, starts forcing neutral (one-sided) restrictions designed to affect the outcome of a major election.
storm,
you are in favor of expanding the types of ID's accepted in order to make it easier on everyone.
the repubs who are establishing these laws ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT, because they know that when less people vote, the favor goes to repubs.
that is clearly what these repubs are doing.
how do you see it, when they refuse to expand the types of ID, or expand voting hours, in fact repubs are lessening voting hours, or close DMV offices in districts that lean toward a democratic vote, making it difficult to obtain ID?
THIS IS THE REAL VOTER FRAUD.
HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
I see it that both sides are equally guilty in manipulating the system to benefit their side. Both sides will gerrymander the districts when they can to favor their agenda. I think that the days of having reasonable people in elected office is long gone because there is too much money to be made, both at the federal and state levels.
That is why I am in favor of term limits for all elected officials. At the federal level, I think HOR should be limited to three 4 year terms. Senators limited to two 6 year terms. If we think that the president should be limited to two 4 year terms, then there is no reason for the other officials to not be limited.
I am not in favor of just any type of ID being accepted, but do I think there should be more than just one...yes. SHould every person who shows up at a polling place be required to show an ID...yes.
If you think that the left argument is just over what type of ID is acceptable, read Rex's comments below. To him...and many other on the left, it is about the "suppression" of votes...which is a pile of crap. Our country is overrun with illegal immigrants who are n the voter roles, have been called in to act as jurors and are depriving our country of important resources.
I personally dont give a damn whether a person is male or female, Democrat or Republican, Black or white or hispanic or asian, gay or straight, Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or Muslim...or any other minority group you want to come up with...I want them to be a legal US citizen. In today's world, asking them to produce an ID in order for them to cast a vote which may decide the future of my state or my country is not asking too much.
just saying..
Voter registration typically requires some form of proof of residency in the state. A utility bill or driver's license is typically used for voter registration in most states across the country. Local officials and election judges set up their registration rolls carefully and the process works out quite well. Again, this whole Voter ID law is an ALEC/GOP sponsored political hack job to try and deny people their constitutional rights. The point here is that we don't have a problem with voter fraud in America so where is the proof that we need these new voter ID laws? The GOP has no proof except that they know that the only way they can win elections is to suppress the voters who typically vote Democratic. This is what this is all about.
Where the heck is the Justice Department on this? This is exactly why his base gets so upset with Obama. He's too timid when the GOP kicks him in the teeth.
With the currant AG, we have no Justice Dept.
Mom,
As per one of your posts in a past thread, posting the same thing twice on the same page is considered spamming. If you look up, you will see larry posted the exact same post on 17.1 and 7.2. I guess you need to call that spamming, also. Oh, yeah, I forgot...lib ok, conservative, not so much.
All I did was answer 2 differant peoples question. But by all meens, if it makes you feel good, turn me in for spamming. Please. Don't want you righties to feel bad. Hell, I'll turn myself in if it will help you.
Bugs and his merry band of morons constantly cut and paste idiotic rhetoric from Fake news, Oxyrush and glenn beck. Stop your whinng bugs, you look like a wimp.
If the republicans are given power, they'll take away other rights under the constitution and the Bill of Rights. They are very dangerous to the citizenry of this country. They are laying the path to anarchy. VERY DANGEROUS people.
Eduardo, It was Clinton and Obama that violated the War Powers Act, not republicans. It was Obama that by passed Congress and gutted Clinton's Welfare Reforms. It was Obama that side stepped Congress by not enforcing Immigration Law. You are worried about the wrong people when it comes to violating the Constitution.
Bush "side-stepped" congress 13x. Perhaps you need a lesson in "personal responsibility". Your party cannot successfully read the Constitution onto the record without colossal mistakes and illegal maneuvers. Well versed on the Constitution? HA - the repubes arent!!
Bush, Bush, Bush, lol
Bush has alot to answer for, right 2ez? You 'intellectuals' voted that idiot in twice yet you ppl expect us to take your word that you know who's best for this country?..LOL...Never again boys!
John, I was wondering if the "blame some one else game" works in other aspects of your life? Is anything that goes wrong in your life your fault or do you convince yourself it is always some one else's fault? Jason blames capitalism and the church for all his problems. You, like Obama like to point the finger at Bush. The Left is so great at finding placing the fault for all the bad in their lives on some one or some thing else.
And you live in a world full of denial 2EZ. Bush's screw ups have been explained to you 'Intellectuals' time and time again but you are content to bury your head in the sand like an Ostrich and refuse to except the fact you voted the worse president in the history of this nation in office not once, but twice. Maybe god will forgive you, but I can't.
And when you tack stupid on to dangerous and heaven forbid put them in charge of foreign relationships we will be at war with every nation if they get elected. Look at Romney's trip to to the Olympics....all he had to do was be a bobble head smile and keep his mouth shut and he failed at every country he visited on this little inocuous "let me introduce myself" visit......
Yes dangerous and stupid is the recipe for more wars.....
And Obama has done such a great job. Prior to him taking office we had a few problems in the Middle East, now half the countries are ruled by Terrorist Organizations. Not only that but the tax payers are funding them. I wonder how much of the US aid going to Egypt is buying bombs in Afghanistan to be used against our troops?
I personally think all this bogus backlash from Democrats is to give them some thing to blame for the massive loses they will have in November. Democrats will blame the low Liberal turn out on the ID requirement. They will never admit the vast majority of the population doesn't agree with them or Obama. What ever makes you guys on the Left feel better.
2ez4u2c2... I don't know what planet you live on... statistics have proven that when voter turnout is high, Dems win. That's because most of the common people who don't have their head up their a*s, know that the Democratic party is a party of the real people.... not the faux 'emperors' like Romney and Ryan. Keep thinking the way you do and one day you're going to wake up and wonder where all of your rights went!
Antha, Like my right as a Stockholder during a Bankruptcy of a company, in accordancewith the Laws of this country. That right was lost to the Stockholders of GM and Chrysler, under Obama.
Back to the issue at hand. So if Democrats do not turn out in great numbers in November, it will not because of Obama, it will because of Republican vote suppression, right. You guys really think ahead.
So we should've gone the way Romney wanted? Let them go bankrupt. Hmm...
Oh, Dems will turn out...but will they be turned away? It's the barriers that Repubs have erected that will destroy Democracy.
Antha, Yes! That is how it has worked for 200 years in this country. After all didn't they go into Bankruptcy any way, but only after Obama gave the Union billions of Tax Payer dollars. There is a significant difference in outcomes. Had the Government stayed out of the process the Union would not have made out with Tax Payer dollars, that is about the only difference. Much like Obama's shovel Ready Projects, Solyndra, Beacon, Sunpower, and ERN1, the Tax Payer was ripped Off, while Obama's cronies made out. I am sure Obama got a few cash donation from the Tax dollars he gave to his buddies.
Lying again 2ez? Billions of dollars? Want to prove that? The unions recieved money that was owed to them from GM. The workers took major pay cuts. And besides, romney is still a lying pimp. His plan would have cost 1 million jobs, the president saved those jobs when our economy was in a downward spiral. Thats what a leader does.
John, Did the stockholders get any of their money back? The answer is no. Obama gave the stockholder's money to the Union. He also gave the Union partial ownership while he excluded the stockholders. The Tax Payers are still on the hook for 25 Million. Since then GM has sent 400 million to France to bailout Peugeot and will send a total on 1 Billion to Australia over the next ten years.
Obama's bailout to GM and Chrysler did several things. Saved the UAW, created jobs in France and Australia, abolished 200 years of bankrupcy procedures in the US, and left the Tax Payer flippingthe bill. The people of France and Australia made out better than US Tax Payers.
Truth Squad: Did government give automakers to UAW, Fiat?
FIAT
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November 10, 2011|By the CNN Wire Staff
In Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate in Rochester, Michigan, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said the federal government played too much of a role in saving automakers General Motors and Chrysler.
He said he would have preferred a private bankruptcy process rather than the U.S. government giving billions of dollars in loans and taking a stake in the companies in 2009.
Romney said after President George W. Bush's administration kicked off a process of loaning money to the automakers, President Barack Obama's administration eventually adopted a position close to his own, which was to have the companies go through bankruptcy. But he criticized the government's influence in the process, saying it essentially gave General Motors to the United Auto Workers, and Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat.
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The statement: "They gave General Motors to the UAW, and they gave Chrysler to Fiat." -- former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
The facts: In 2009, both General Motors and Chrysler went into bankruptcy to restructure after receiving billions of dollars in federal loans.
As General Motors emerged from bankruptcy in July 2009, the U.S. Treasury took a 60.8% stake in the company in return for a $50 billion bailout. A trust established to fund health care benefits for UAW retirees -- not the UAW itself -- took a 17.5% stake. The Canadian government took a 12.5% stake, and unsecured bondholders were given a 10% share.
The trust fund came about as part of GM's restructuring. The UAW essentially agreed to shift responsibility for retiree health care costs away from GM to the union-controlled trust fund, consisting of company stock rather than cash.
Stock for the post-bankruptcy GM was available for public trading starting in November 2010. As of August, the U.S. Treasury still owned about a third of the shares, with the UAW fund owning about 12.8%, according to Fortune.
After Chrysler went into bankruptcy in 2009, a new Chrysler Group emerged, with Fiat owning a 20% stake in a deal brokered by the U.S. government, which took an 8% stake. A majority stake -- 55% -- was owned by a UAW retiree trust.
Fiat increased its stake over time, up to 53.5% by this July when it bought the last of the U.S. Treasury's shares. Union-controlled trust funds controlled 46%.
Verdict: Misleading. A UAW benefits fund -- not the union itself -- owns a part of GM. Another UAW benefit fund and Fiat took stakes in Chrysler, which -- like GM -- was on the verge of collapse.
2EZ, your GM stockholers stock would have been worthless if they had gone the way of Robmes idea. Now what is it worth? Now be sure and deny what is said about the UAW
John, It appears we agree, the Union took partial ownership and the stockholders were left in the cold. It appears you see a difference between the UAW and the UAW retirees, I do not. If the company had followed bankruptcy procedures used for 200 years, without government interference, the stockholders would have gotten some of their investments back and the Union would have gotten some of their benefits. As it turned out the stockholders got nothing, the Union got every thing.
So only the democrats have a hard time voting?
Why is it that these voter ID laws only effect the liberals?
I live in Florida and we have a voter ID law, and it is not keeping anyone from voting, not even the democrats.
Holey cow,
Most banks and stores will take any photo ID.....Penn. will not take a college ID, and will not take expired military or drivers license.....they want passport, current license (which application requires raised seal birth certificate which I doubt you have in your possession at this moment).
They are preventing people who have been inducted into "hall of fame" because they voted for over 50 years but are so old they do not drive so no longer have a current drivers license....but they do have their "hall of fame" certificate and photo ID.
Just announced on TV Penn. is not allowing on-line registration for voting must do paper application by mail.....is that a tad harder do you think?
holeecow - When did it become law that an I.D. was required before voting in your state? 8 months before a presidential election? State I.D.s are only handled by a few select DMV centers in each county in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg and the I.D. centers in PA can no longer handle the influx of customers. The DMV Center is now 2 weeks behind in issuing Driver's Licenses - can you imagine the number for State I.D.s? Before this unconstitutional illegall maneuver of the republicans in this state, there was no backlog in our DMV system. If your state cannot handle the requests by the residents to comply with the law passed 8 months before the election, how do you expect the people to be in a position to comply? Hell, let alone vote?? Does the term "free and fair" elections trigger and bulb flash in your head? That phrase is in OUR STATE CONSTITUTION regarding voting rights. Shall we return to only land owners voting - regress, not progress - right? Secondly, the issue in OH has NOTHING to do with I.D.s, but everything to do with the Repube legislature passing a bill exonerating all early voting in that state except for military votes. Obama and DNC has filed a Complaint to include ALL VOTES. This is a BIG DEAL because it's being done strategically as to NOT allow voters time to comply. If you did just a moment of research you would realize your mistake in your question.
Non of these States required it prior to 2012. And most didn't start in time for people to abtain the reqired papers. And the State usually closed various offices needed to get everything making it even more difficult and expensive.
You need a photo ID to live your life.
To cash your pay check, open a bank account, buy a house, rent a place to live, drive a car, buy a pac of smokes, buy booze, get on an airplane, and on and on and on.
Nothing more than a red hirring to distract from the state of the economy.
And once again, you are so wrong. I've never used photo ID to cash a check. I can't even remember the last time I used photo ID for any reason.
You can not cash a check at a bank with out a photo ID, you can not cash a check at any check cashing place with out a photo ID.
In order to get on a plan you have show a photo ID, to buy smokes, booze you need to show a photo ID.
Retail stores that sell booze & smokes have to enter your ID number into the computer in order to sell you the booze or smokes.
I we the singns all the time WE ID, PHOTO ID REQUIRED, and so on.
Wrong again. You just don't want to read facts. But hell, go a head and call me a liar. I'm the one that said it. My son just cashed his paycheck and got cash back withno photo ID. But hell, you won't believe that either so stay stuck in the mud.
Larry74,
I would assume that your son cashed the check at an ATM and got cash back, like I do. If that is indeed the case, however, you do need a photo I.D. to open that bank account in the first place. If that is not the case, would you please tell me where and how it is possible for him to do that without an I.D. I've mever heard of that being possible since there is too great a risk for somone to commit fraud and cash someone else's check.
Stop making excuses for people that have no problem filing paperwork that will benefit them monetarily. If voting is important to them, they can find a way to comply with the law. This law is in effect for all citizens of the state of Pennsylvania. Stop insinuating that democrats are somehow inferrior?
Stop being a good little Eichman, there was another country that insisted people had special ID's in fact those people got to the point where citizens could not leave their homes without those ID's or they would be arrested and sent to prison camps with other undesirables. Funny how you always whine about big government interfering in your life except when it suits your desire to infringe on someone elses freedoms.
The nazi references are tiresome. Think real hard and come up with something original.
I will when the tea bagged republicans come up with an original thought instead of 34 years of the same old tiresome lies they got from a insane 3rd rate actor who couldn't tell his delusions from reality. Funny how you just can't deal with the fact that those who fail to learn from the past make the same mistakes all over again. So until you tea bagged republicans stop behaving like Brown shirts I will point out how close you are to their ways.
You are assuming a lot in your characterization. Name calling is generally the last resort of someone who has nothing to say.
Name calling become relevant when teabaggers refuse to acknowledge clear facts presented to them time and time again. If you act ignorant then don't be surprised when you're called one.
22.5-- You might need to educate yourself about being ignorant, because you are.
From the polls I have read the populace supports voter ID's. Could it be they don't need the education because they have it right. You can't even buy certain types of over the counter medication without an ID. We were not supposed to use our social security number for identification but now it is the norm. I live in Illinois where we are famous for a cooking the books at the ballot box, the only people around here crying foul are the guys who are part of the machine.
Apples to oranges. Voting is a right buying prescription medication is not. People will try to steal prescription medications people, will not try to vote under someone elses name, there is no pay off that makes the risk worth it. As there has been no proof of people voting as someone else there is no need for the law. It would be like requiring an ID to walk on the moon, it serves no purpose other then restricting people from voting. Which was the reason the voters right bill was passed in 1965, because states were disenfranchising people who had a right to vote with poll taxes and litmus tests. ID laws is more of the same, it serves no purpose because it prevents nothing to stop the type of voter fraud that is happening. Why is the GOP not worried about the electronic voting machines that have been proven to be unreliable.
I recall electronic voting machines were hailed by some as the answer to the problems of the hanging chad and many on both sides were calling for the change to this type of machine. As to your commentary on voter fraud I can only say I am glad you are confident in the honesty of the system. There is a bit of a contradiction in you belief that someone could manipulate the electronic voting but would never consider any other simpler way to cook the books. I guess one side is really crafty and the other is just wide eyed fools innocently making their way in the world. For the record I think the republicans are just as bad as their cousins in the other herd.
Voting is a right buying prescription medication is not.
So math wizard how you doing on the 8th grade problem.
Next buying prescription medication is a right. Just like buying a house a car and so on.
cow man still lying as usual. No buying a prescription is not a right, first you have to get a doctor to write you a prescription you can not just walk into a pharmacy and say I want to buy some ludes man, your problem is you are confusing your street drug dealer with a pharmacist. So once again cow man shows he hasn't got past 3rd grade.
the ability to own a gun is a right...but you have to show an ID to buy one...
just saying
The assumption that people who disagree with the author need education is condescending at best. Is it possible the author is misinformed or naive?
Romney and Ryan Have Not Given Voters One Single Reason to Trust Them
It is a stretch to believe anything coming out of the Romney campaign because Willard has lied about his alleged departure date from Bain Capital, and based on SEC filings, he did not leave until well after February 1999. When the SEC filings were exposed, Romney conveniently came up with the “retroactive retirement” story to cover his lies and filings that clearly show he was still in charge at Bain Capital till at least August 2001 and possibly longer.
As a resident of Illinois my question is why should I trust either party? We just expelled a democratic machine politician from the legislature for taking bribes in a particularly sleazy example of the way da outfit does things in the city of Chicago. We have the distinction of having former governors from both party's doing prison time at the same time. So put on your thinking cap and tell me why intelligent people are not calling for reform of the two partys and moreover calling for better government. Please spare me the hypocrisy of saying how intelligent the argument of one party is over the other when their actions contradict the propaganda they inflict on the voters. We should demand better from both sides and as of now we are not getting much better than crap. I already know that many believe its the others sides fault which is complete bull@!$%# so if that is the story spare me.
Romney also lied about residency when he ran for Governor in Penn....and he refused to show his tax return at that time also...he ended up retroactively amended where he lived....he lived here it benefited him most tax wish. He has been caught red handed lies aout taxes and residency before and just thinks we should believe him and take his word. Every other American has to provide documentation.....not just their word...Ann Romney is getting quite huffy and offended that we should have the audacity to even ask for information or intimate that her husband would not tell the truth when he has already demonstrated that he will lie if needed.
When did Romney run for Governor in Penn? I wish you libs would get your lies straight...
just saying...
Sorry I did not mean Penn. I meant Mass.
I was following news on TV and typed what they were talking about instead of what I was thinking about. Sorry to every one if it confused anyone I would not intentionally put misinformation out there when there is already so much I feel like my head will explode.
I have always been an independent until this year and as my straight ticket "name" says it stormguy this year will be the first time I will vote a straight ticket and yes it will be for democrats.
Congratulations on being a lemming....I am sure you have examined every single race and made an "independent" decision on which person is the better person to vote for.
just saying...
I thought the Supreme Court all ready ruled on the voter I.D. laws in Ohio months ago.....upholding it. Maybe that was just Ohio and they are thinking they can temporarily suspend them in state court.
A number of influential organizations and individuals are campaigning to
convince Americans that judges should be appointed rather than elected, and they
are preparing the public for this judicial coup through revelations of how
judges have been corrupted by the process of running for election. Their mantra
is that institutions and wealthy trial lawyers who contribute to the election or
reelection of judges tend to receive favorable treatment when they are parties
in a court proceeding or appear before them when representing a client. This
two-tier system of justice in this country — based on the relative
status of the involved parties — is nothing new and has become part of American
folklore. What has changed is the willingness of lawyers and the media to
openly promote the notion that judicial corruption is an inevitable consequence
of an electoral process that must be eliminated, even if it means trampling on
the rights of voters
and political allies who are largely responsible for that corruption now seek to
have judges appointed from among their own ranks, thus saving themselves the
trouble of bribing them. In the articles that follow, it is instructive to see
how Professor Vernon Palmer of Tulane Law School appears to ignore the
underlying argument for judicial appointments and offers instead a disingenuous
plea for judges to disqualify themselves from cases that involve their backers.
Palmer knows (or should know) that judges themselves have the authority to
decide whether or not they should recuse themselves from any proceeding, and
that complaints made against them are routinely dismissed. Tulane itself enjoys
the privilege of having judges who are adjunct professors in its law school
adjudicate with impunity cases in which it is a party. Tulane rewards these
judges with various perquisites, including paid assignments to resort locations
in Europe.
"O'Connor Judicial Selection Initiative," Transparent Courthouse
Quarterly, Special Edition, http://www.du.edu/legalinstitute/
newsletter/special_edition.html (remove space), accessed 03/01/10.