Another Reason For Just ONE National Primary Day
Elections are vital to the future of this Republic. It is insane, that in 2008, with all of our technological advances, that we are still fighting about “suppressed” votes or disenfranchised voters:
The case goes before a federal judge in Las Vegas this morning. Plaintiffs argue that the caucus sites on the Strip unfairly discriminate against other workers on-duty that day. Lynn Warne, president of the teachers union, insists “our only interest is fairness.” But instead of seeking additional at-large locations, they want to close down the casino sites.
Backers of the suit claim they didn’t learn of the caucus rules until recently, although they were approved at a party convention nine months ago. Nevada Democrats are free to set their own rules for a caucus, which isn’t a government-run election. And as in Iowa, the Nevada caucus is designed to be unfair to many people, including those who are out of town, sick or value a secret ballot (since all voting must be public).
But the time to argue about the rules has passed. As Rob Richie, executive director of the liberal group FairVote, says, “You simply don’t want to reduce the number of places to vote or do a last-minute change if you want people to participate.”
Meanwhile, Democrats will also be asking for identification at caucus sites. The nine at-large casino sites are meant only for workers who can prove they are employed within 2.5 miles of the Strip, an area that Barack Obama notes includes thousands “working at McDonald’s” as well as gas stations and bodegas.
Democratic leaders insist workers need only show an employee badge. If they don’t have one, a party spokeswoman lamely says “we’ll somehow accommodate them.” The Las Vegas Review Journal notes “some Strip workers will have no alternative but to provide photo identification.” For a party that compares photo ID requirements to Jim Crow poll taxes, even when state governments distribute the IDs for free, the irony is rich.
Indeed it is, but let’s take a good look at this and ask ourselves if this long drawn out circus is really worth it. Are we getting the best of the best for the country, or simply a group of people that were the best of the best at raising lots of money? I would say that this is just one more reason to have one day in which all Americans go to the primaries and chose the candidates that will go on to the general election.
Curt sees the humor in the Democrats hypocricy on voter-id. Gaius seems to agree
H/T to Memeorandum
