Getting ready to steal election '08

The Republican Party of Karl Rove has made voter suppression and voter intimidation a hallmark. Thus the likely stolen 2004 results in Ohio and the undoubtedly stolen Florida of 2000. Pay close attention this year. The strategy is to make it difficult for the poor  -- likely Democrats -- to vote. This will be done in the guise of various laws to prevent "fraud." One form has been upheld by the Bush Supreme Court (memo to Hillary backers: want four more years of this?)

Such was the talking point in Arizona, when it passed a voter ID law. I always wondered if fraud there were real, why were all those voting illegal immigrants electing a Legislature filled with anti-Hispanic bigots? Of course, they weren't even trying to vote. They were just working for less than minimum wage to keep the Anglos fat and happy.

Today, the New York Times has a must-read editorial about the fraud of "voter fraud"

Missouri and at least 19 other states are considering passing laws that would force people to prove their citizenship before they can vote. These bills are not a sincere effort to prevent noncitizens from voting; that is a made-up problem. The real aim is to reduce turnout by eligible voters. Republicans seem to think that laws of this kind will help them win elections, but burdensome rules like these — and others cropping up around the country — pose a serious threat to democracy and should be stopped.

There were already stories of vote suppression in the Indiana primary. Watch this for the fall.

Comments

[Curt]

I've always thought the voter ID law was an unconstitutional poll tax. I'm surprised it hasn't been challenged yet.

Unrelated topic: did you read this article?
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/238324

I'm all for more mass transit in AZ, but I'm thinking (not totally sure) that this latest transportation funding initiative will be more of the same Victor Mendez road-dominated plan. The article highlights how blatantly powerful the Home Building Lobby is in AZ.

It would be great to read your thoughts on this issue.

[Rogue Columnist]

Sounds like a total sell-out to me. One of the biggest problems is that the newspapers use "transit" to refer to initiatives that are primarily about more roads and freeways.