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Issue One: Voter ID
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Voters want it
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, elections board chairman John DeFazio and other politicians are showing their usual false sensationalism and lack of understanding by calling the voter ID law unconstitutional ("Lawsuit Planned Over Voter Law," June 16). Others are just plain irresponsible in comparing voter ID laws to Jim Crow laws. This is what I would like to know:
1) How is being asked to prove that you are who you say you are unconstitutional? To most people, it is very important.
2) Why do these people claim it unjustly affects Democrats? Do Messrs. Fitzgerald and DeFazio have such a low opinion of their constituents? When my father was living, he lost his driver's license due to failing vision. Although a lifelong Democrat, he immediately obtained for himself a nondriver photo ID.
3) Why do above persons feel that the poll workers are incapable of performing this task without expensive training? I have 100 percent confidence that the poll workers I know can handle this task. If some require additional training, they can visit the alcohol section of the Giant Eagle Market District where they ID everybody. If county governments need $11 million to implement this program, it is the final proof that they cannot do anything with any degree of efficiency.
4) If 87 percent of state residents support the law, this is obviously bipartisan support. Do Messrs. Fitzgerald and DeFazio have no concern with what the voters want?
Voting is a right and a privilege I take very seriously. That is why I support voter ID laws.
JOSEPH MUHA
Ross
Why the fuss?
I am a senior citizen and I see no problem in showing my ID when I vote. It may stop a lot of phony voters from voting illegally.
I am a registered Democrat, but that does not mean I vote that way. I use my brain and vote for the best person I believe will do some good. The only reason I registered as a Democrat is for when I go to my local politician for some help. In Pittsburgh if you are not a Democrat, forget any help from the politicians.
When I went to school in the 1950s we were taught that if you broke the law and went to jail you lost your right to vote. Now, if you are a Democrat, you can vote if you are here illegally or just too dumb or whatever. It is not the same Democratic Party my dad swore by. Today in Florida, the Democrats are raising hell about the state checking if you are a citizen before you can vote. Try going to Mexico or Cuba and voting; they will put you in jail.
CHARLES GROSSKINSKY
Brighton Heights
First Published June 24, 2012 12:00 am
