OVER THE TOP

OVER THE TOP
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Publisher

First of Two Parts

October 31, 2005

Once again, Democrat Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin (right) has gone over the top in his decision to veto - for the third time - legislation requiring photo ID for voting at the polls. Despite addressing past flaws in earlier versions of similar bills submitted by the Republican-controlled legislature that deservedly died a quick death over failure to have sufficient safeguards, the fact that Doyle was quick at the trigger to veto this latest version only serves to reinforce in the minds of many Wisconsinites - as well as people nationwide - that the Democratic Party, a once great party and worthy political opponent that represented a respectable portion of the American people, has become nothing more than a hijacked body of extremist interest and domestic terrorist groups of the 'lie, cheat and steal at any cost to get into office' types.

Why is this? Could it be because their ideas - even their ideology - is psychologically, morally, spiritually and fiscally bankrupt, and that Milwaukee - second only to Philadelphia nationwide in voter fraud - has become a national laughingstock all on account of Doyle's refusal to bring Wisconsin voting practices into the 21st century? Of course it is, but Doyle will never admit that.

With voter fraud reaching rampant levels throughout the country - and given the fact that Milwaukee's count was proven to be tainted, had Ohio gone for Kerry last year, then Wisconsin would have been 2004's Florida. Clearly, the case has been made at this point for oversight by federal marshals for voting in both cities, because it is obvious - at least in Milwaukee - that local officials ranging from the local election commissioner to Mayor Tom Barrett to District Attorney-for-life E. Michael McCann are clearly too busy playing political favorites in order to enforce the laws they have sworn to uphold.

One of the key contentions behind Doyle's decision to veto the legislation was the issue of disenfranchisement, particularly that of seniors. As seniors age, more of them cease to drive when they realize they pose a danger either to themselves or to others. Many live with adult children or in assisted living centers. For ID, they either have passports or can get state ID cards satisfying the need for photo ID at the polls. For those in assisted living centers, surely the polls can be taken to them on Election Day or they can vote by absentee ballot with a photocopy of their photo ID.

For others without photo ID, they can get it by paying a nominal fee at the local DMV office, or if they are on public assistance, they can get a voucher from their caseworker that they can take to the DMV in exchange for the state ID card, which DMV can in turn submit the voucher to Social Services for reimbursement.

The bone I have to pick with Governor Doyle here is that when some illegal alien, a convicted felon still on parole or probation or some other ineligible person votes, then they disenfranchise ME by negating my vote and thus cut me out of my participation in the political process. The idea that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and members of the Common Council changed the law in Milwaukee to now require photo ID in order to check out a library book, but to have Governor Doyle veto legislation requiring photo ID at the polling place on voting day is ludicrous at best, and fraudulent at worst; but this is what we have come to expect from today's bastardized version of the Democrat Party. It certainly isn't the Democratic Party I remember as a child.

We also need to remember that not only should they have photo ID, they need to be United States citizens as well, and that the process of 'motor-voter' registration, where people can register to vote at the same time and place they get their driver's licenses must be done away with forever on the grounds that too many fraudulent registrations have been made with absolutely no proof of citizenship. We must also eliminate these roving 'voter registration' groups - such as the ones I encountered at Miller Park last summer - and restrict voter registration to court houses and other designated locations. For those who cannot get around, there can be days the county comes to them in a specially-equipped van for voter registration, provided of course, they have proof of citizenship and aren't either incarcerated, currently on probation or parole for a felony conviction or have had their voting privileges revoked for cause such as voter fraud.

Believing I have no right to whine about problems without a solution, I will offer a comprehensive plan for making meaningful, substantive change in the voting practices that will help make for a more accurate and equitable vote in the second part of this series. I hope you'll enjoy reading. ***

A veteran writer, Timothy Rollins brings a wealth of political experience dating back more than 30 years, and military experience going back more than 25. He is a freelance writer and policy analyst living here in Milwaukee who has been featured on both television and radio. He has appeared both in online publications as well as in print newspapers such as USA TODAY, the Deseret News in Salt Lake City and the Daily Herald in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He can be reached by e-mail at rollins@american-partisan.com. ***

Photo of Timothy Rollins courtesy of staff files
Photo of Governor Jim Doyle (D-WI) courtesy of Wistravel.com

Also see:

Over The Top (Part 2 of 2 - by Timothy Rollins)