ID Please

Let's face it, if we were to look in your wallet, purse, whatever more than likely we'd find a form of government issued photo identification. For military families, that stupid ID card is like a lifeline and god forbid you lose it because then you can't get in to see the doctor, pick up a prescription, or you know, even get on post in a timely manner or sit and suffer through the vehicle check for those without. Seriously, I panic faster when I can't find that versus my driver's license (which I'm sure that most of you have). In addition to being my lifeline here on post, it's my lifeline in case I have an accident while out running (yeah, I hear all my friends laughing at that, I giggled too -- I haven't ran in months and have a 5k in two weeks, awesome) or on my bike. Having a photo ID seems pretty commonplace for most folks, in addition to the above mentioned reasons you need it to purchase booze (Kroger has to input your birthday into their register before you can purchase), cigarettes, R rated movies, a firearm, to board an aircraft, to cross into a foreign country, to obtain a job, the list goes on. You don't need an ID to vote though, seriously, you don't.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is trying to prevent states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas from making voters show a photo ID to prove that they're actually the person voting. Personally, I've never understood why I haven't needed to show my ID when voting because it makes sense to me. The reason behind the DoJ's action is this: requiring voters to show a photo ID disenfranchises and discourages minority voters. I wish I was making that up. Despite that fact that North Carolina has even said that they will make photo IDs available free of charge (FREE!) for those who need one in order to vote. Ummmmmmm... Yeah, I'm baffled. How do you shut down that logic? Is it a matter of access to a Department of Motor Vehicles where these IDs will be issued? Pretty sure that each county has its own and often times, they have satellite offices throughout the county. I just cannot wrap my head around how this will be a detriment to legal citizens wishing to vote.

But then, I saw this article and giggled. Rep. Stockman pretty much nails it. Sometimes, I reconsider moving to Texas once hubby is out of the army since most of Texas is ok with guns & religion and they have common sense representatives like Rep. Stockman and Sen. Cruz. End of the day, showing proof of who you are isn't a burden unless you've got something to hide.