JOhn Conyers - Help Prevent the Implementation of a Modern Day Poll Tax

[Mass]

Sorry if this has already been posted.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=30&ItemID=8796

Help Prevent the Implementation of a Modern Day Poll Tax
by Cong. John Conyers Jr.



Stop James Baker, III From Doing it Again



Join With Me in Fighting New Poll Tax Proposal



I have spent my more than 40 years in public service fighting for voting rights and a better democracy. Today, I am sad to say, there are proposals being made that would set us back in that struggle. A privately funded, unaccountable Commission organized by former Bush-Cheney campaign lawyer James Baker, III, and former President Jimmy Carter issued a report today that includes policy proposals that will disenfranchise over ten percent of eligible voters----a national ID requirement to vote. I need your help to fight this 21st Century disciminatory poll tax today. It is unconscionable that in the very year we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, that we would even consider a proposal that would make it more difficult for tens of millions of citizens to vote.



The simple fact is that many minority and poor voters do not have the time, money or need to purchase a drivers license. In fact, over ten percent of eligible voters in the last election did not have a photo ID. They vote by presenting other means of identification (a voter registration card, utility bill, or affidavit). This Commission is now asking Congress to deny the franchise to those voters unless they obtain a national ID card. The Commission makes the implausible claim that, in these times of a multibillion dollar war in Iraq and multibillion dollar restoration of the Gulf Coast, the Congress will pay for ID cards for those who cannot afford to buy them. We know this is not going to happen.



Even if you are not among these vulnerable populations, this affects you. The institution of a National ID card has throughout our history been a tool of repression. This recommendation, coupled with the Commission's recommendation of interoperable data bases of voters, is the first step toward data bases of American citizens.



Make no mistake about it, this national ID voting card will result in the disenfranchisement of poor and minority voters, and make us susceptible to the same old Ken Blackwell-style Republican electoral dirty tricks that cost Senator Kerry the election in Ohio. Remember the lack of voting machines in Ohio for Democratic voters? Remember the machines that broke down or registered strange numbers of votes for George Bush or unknown third party candidates? Remember Ken Blackwell"s paper weight requirements for voter registration cards? Imagine if the Republican party can, in one fell swoop, apply new legal obstacles to more than ten percent of voters, most of them poor, minority and elderly voters, most of them Democratic voters, from being able to vote.



Please help me today. I have made this website into an action center on this issue. It will be constantly updated with up-to-the-minute news and actions you can take to help on this issue. Thanks for your help and your continued stand for a better democracy.



Write a Letter to the Editor Opposing Plans to Impose this New Poll Tax

[Marnieworld]

1. More people need to pay attention to this

ID cards are a bad idea and have traditionally been used to oppress. Not a solution to the wide-spread problems but a distraction. sign the petition people!

[Mass]

2. The idea to ask people for an ID card is another way to

disaffranchise the poorest, who would probably be the least likely to have one because of the cost. if only on this basis, we should oppose it.

[Mass]

5. kick

[shraby]

3. We had relatively few problems until

Bush and Diebold/touch screens came on the scene.

[electropop]

4. Done!

Both Conyers' canned letter to Congress people, and my personal one to the Washington Post.