Wisconsin Recall

As many of us know by now Gov. Walker survived the recall bid last night by a wider margin than he beat Barrett the first time around. While I waited for the polls to close and the results to stream I decided to watch MSNBC to listen to the Liberal pundits spin the results. I will admit that I found humor in their dejected faces as they had to report that not only Gov. Walker kept his position so did the LT. Gov and the Speaker as well.

The spin though was that Gov. Walker's win was not a reform on Obama since exit polls had him leading Romney by 8 points. One brave soul on MSNBC pointed out that Wisconsin has voted Democrat in every Presidential election dating back to Clinton. The assessment is correct. Wisconsin will more than likely go to Obama but this wasn't about the national election for President; rather this vote was a referendum on public unions and austerity measures; both went for Conservative ideals.

Lawrence O'Donnell repeated the fact that the GOP outspent the Dem's by a 7-1 margin and blamed the United Supreme Court decision Citizen United for it. Early reports stated that voter turnout was more than 65 percent which was about 15 points more than in 2010. The big winner last night was Wisconsin and America as Democracy reigned.

While the sat watching MSNBC, I posted on Facebook (in jest) that "Just got back from Wisconsin. No ID required to vote. Love this country!" One post took me very seriously and actually thought I'd commit a felony to prove my point. My ruse rubbed a friend of mine's so wrong that he may have defriended me but not prior to his wife posting - This is Matt's wife - as a former resident of WI I am digusted by your actions. I am guessing you are trying to prove a point but all you are doing is coming off like a complete asshole. don't try to prove their needs to be voter fraud laws by actually participating in voter fraud. Laws should not have to be passed to account for assholes like you.

As I stated above, I didn't actually go to Wisconsin to vote rather thought it comical to state what I did originally. Most of our laws are to protect stupid people from harming themselves or government officials (on both sides of the aisle) thinking they know what is best for us. We have become a society of lazy, dumb and entitled people. No longer does the vast majority of people take the time to read the morning newspaper, engage in critical thought or investigate a claim made. 

The Government has said that we need SSN, we need Medicare, we need Health Care, we need free abortion services, we need (fill in the blank). So when Government says things are getting better then why should we question it or when Government says we need to just take the wealthy to pay the bill then why should we question it? Now the Mayor of New York is saying no to soda over 16 ounces yet if you are really thirsty just buy two! WHAT! 

Americans wake up! Government is in our lives far to much. 

To Photo or Not!

The Minnesota Legislature is attempting to tackle voter fraud that has been alleged in the past couple of election cycles here in Minnesota. The new plan, if passed, would require all voters to present a photo ID that is issued by the State of Minnesota. Proponents of the bill point to other states, i.e. Georgia, Florida, and Indiana, require photo ID's for all those voting while opponents to the bill believe that 135,000 eligible voters would not be able to vote because they lack a government ID. Let's face it, being elected to State or National positions is big business. To ensure that our voting process is as free from fraud as possible has lead the Minnesota Legislature, and others states, to go toward a photo ID requirement.

Another objection to the requirement of a photo ID is that it may restrict access to the voter booth for those low-income and low educated people. In a Rutgers University study reported that, "Voters in states that required photo identification were 2.9 percent less likely to vote than voters in states where individuals had to give their name." My question is how do these same people purchase alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets where IDs are required and often asked for? In listening to talk radio I heard one pundit assert that requiring a photo ID equates to a poll tax which is banned. I don't see the requirement of a photo ID as a poll tax because vast majority of us have one and in addition to the three items I listed above one is often asked for a photo ID when writing a check or using a debit or credit card. In an age where ID theft is prevalent and honor, integrity and giving ones word has been eroded requiring a photo ID to vote is starting to make sense.

Now, what I don't like about this bill is that it sets aside $25M to assist with people to get a photo ID. The Government should not be handing out these photo ID's for free. That being said, the cost of getting a non-driver license ID should be sold at cost to those that "cannot" afford it. Does it make sense to have a photo ID? Has giving ones Word or Honor been eroded over the past several decades?