Voter ID - Facts, Not Distortion

The racism issue related to voter ID has come into the forefront as a topic in media, speeches and events.  However, reason has been thrown out the window in a narrow perspective that requiring voter ID is a form of intimidation, restrictive to seniors and hardship, just to cite a few of the distortions.

Integrity as a component of trust (something voters of all ages and ethnic groups rely on to believe in the veracity of their ballot)  is based on the ability to identify oneself.   Identifying oneself is key to civilized interface and voting not the least of human interaction.  In Georgia and Indiana, States with Voter ID laws, voting increased in the last election.

There are many things that require identification which all people possess.  Here is just a short list so that voter ID requirement may be put in perspective:

Boarding an Airplane                          A doctors' office visit                

Applying for a job                               Picking up pharmacy items

Bank transactions                                 School applications

Store/Credit applications                      Outpatient testing

Establishing utilities accounts              Rental or Home ownership

Car registration and purchase               Medicare/Medicaid         

Retirement accounts                             Union voting                                      

Blood donation                                    Firearms purchase

Speeding Ticket                                   Social Security services

Paint shops                                          Train ticket purchases

Car insurance purchase                        Non-profit volunteer activities

Professional license application           Unemployment benefits

Disability insurance benefits                Purchase of cigarettes and liquor

Welfare                                                Food Stamps                   

Taxes                                                   Earned Income Credit

Immigration I-9 Hiring Documentation

A rational person would have to admit that asking for ID in order to vote is hardly a racist action.  Hardship is a specious argument, likewise intimidation, when one rationally considers the above list in relation to how we move in the world, locally and regionally.  Otherwise, impugning its requirement is just stupid - and remember, as Forest Gump stipulates - 'dumb is temporary; stupid is forever.'