My voter ID proposal.

Last year the Missouri Legislator passed a voter ID law. Unfortunately the law was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Missouri Weinschenk v. Missouri. I'm writing this blog to explain the difference between my proposal and the legislators'. The following is my proposal:

1. All Missouri voter are required to show a picture ID. A picture ID includes a state ID, a school ID, a work ID, or a U. S. passport. The idea is to put the face with the name. 
2. If the voter fails to show up with a picture ID, the vote could vote by affidavit. To vote by affidavit, a voter could use, a voter ID card or mail sent by the local election board, a utility bill or a financial statement, library card, or any information from school with the voter's name and address on it. Before the voter votes, the voter would be given a carbon-copy of the affidavit to take to the local board of election to get a free ID. This carbon-copy of the affidavit is all the voter would need to get a free ID. As long as the voter is registered, there is no need for a birth certificate. This would only apply to registered voters.
3. Require identification to register to vote. I remember when this law passed, I was asking, "should we make sure the voter is eligible before showing up at the polls?" When I registered to vote at my local library when I turned 18, I had to show my library card, my insurance card, and raise my right hand and take an oath. Soliciting registration on the street should be banned. While there are a lot of well meaning people doing it, there are a lot of uninformed people doing it  as well. In 2004, American Coming Together turned in thousand of fraudulent voter registration cards. This happened because they were paying people to register and the people they employed needed money. Since the commission was per voter, some were willing to open a phone book and put a name down. 
4. Another way I think we should allow registration is through checking a box. Just like one could check a box when you apply for your driver license, Missourians should be allowed to check a box on a high school graduation or GED application, or any documents you sign relation to College, apartment and housing, healthcare, or any dealing with the state agencies. For example, you apply for an apartment, you check that box so you new landlord will turn in you information to the local board of election. This provision would allow a high school student to check a box on the graduation application to register to vote. 

The legislation the Missouri legislators passed did not have provision 3 nor 4. Another differences are the solution if a voter does not have an ID. The legislation allowed people to vote provisionally. I believed voters should vote by affidavit to allow the vote to count on Election Day, not 2 weeks later. I believe if the Missouri Assembly pass my proposal, it would be upheld on appeal.  

Win for Putin, Loss for Chavez

To day, Vladimir Putin's Party the United Russia won a victory in the parliamentary election (AP Barry). As I printed earlier, Putin is term limited. While he can run for two consecutive terms, he can be prime minister until he can run for president again. This election makes Putin as prime minister possible. 

In other news, Venezuelan voters voted down a referendum to do away with term limits (AP James). Chavez is term limited as well and had the referendum pass, he could remain president for life. Hopefully civil liberties and the freedom of the press can return when Chavez leaves. 

Pay attention to the up coming political elections

There is going to be an election for Prime Minister of Russia this coming May and Vladimir Putin would not be on the ballot because he is term limited. He served his two terms already. Now its time for someone new. So Russians has two choices; Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov or Chess Champ Garry Kasparov. Now lets keep in mind that Russian press and voters are do not enjoy the same freedoms as American press and voters. Although out the Putin administration, the press has been censored and anti-government protesters has continually has been arrested. Kasparov as been voicing his opposition to the Putin administration since retiring from chess in 2005. Kasparov supports civil libertis. Ivanov supports the continuation of the policies of the putin administration. 

Decorated Officers Speak Out on ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’

By Ebony Hairston

On Tuesday October 23rd, two former soldiers spoke about their experiences being gay and serving under the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ policy at Washington University.

One was the first American soldier to be injured in the Iraq war Eric Alva. He gained a lot of acclaim upon his return home and was visited by every one from Nancy Pelosi to the President. He then took the opportunity to come out and speak out about the unfairness of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

His efforts have brought a lot of awareness to the issue.

There is a bill called the Military Readiness Enhancement Act H.R. 1246 that works to make things fair.

My Vision

Air Force Maj. Margaret Witt was the 1993 poster recruitment child and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for saving a life Lesbian appeals DADT Ruling. Unfortunately, the Military could not overlook her sexual orientation in spite of her out standing service to her country. This is why the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy needs to be repealed. Not, only the policy is unconstitutional, but its hindering military readiness. According to the Human Rights Campaign, the policy is eliminating 800 specialists with critical skills and costing over $200 million hrc press release.
Please join me and supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Tell congress to repeal/dont_ask_dont_tell