I am perplexed by the NDP's negative reaction to the proposal of identification being required in order to vote (SP Oct. 28/10.)
In today's world there isn't much you can do without proper identification. You can't enter this country, or any other, without proper ID. You can't board a plane, open a bank account, have a Sask drivers license or write a personal cheque at point of purchase without ID. Hell, you can't even buy smokes or hooch without photo ID. And identity theft is the number one fraud being committed today.
Yet somehow claiming the greatest right and privilege in a democratic country, that being the right to vote, should be handed out without concern.
We receive news reports of the ongoing trial on the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan electoral forgery of ballots. There exists the unresolved issue of an over-zealous volunteer selling bogus memberships in the NDP party which would grant voting rights in the leadership race. There are ongoing, although unproven, allegations of voting irregularities in elections at every level. The outcome of any election can have grave consequences for citizens if that outcome has been skewed by voting irregularities.
If the concern is disenfranchisement of voters without ID, then begin the process of issuing Sask ID cards to all residents. It shouldn't be hard given we all get Sask health cards.
And if you truly want to exercise your franchise then maybe a little onus should fall to the voter to obtain the ID necessary to do so.
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You go girl,
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it any better myself. Ling is against all advancement in any part of this Province He wants his Saskatchewan to stay in the dark ages where socialism is king. But after his stunt regarding making an amendment to have him go to Ottawa to voice his displeasure with the Potash Corp takeover as part of a Government Delegation we know his concerns are more about how he gets elected then the well being of the Province.
This should be mandatory! You have to show your treaty card to get smokes! The NDP should quit playing games with our province and get down to business already.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important issue and should not be politicised but instead delt with by way of an all party committee and public input. I would like to believe that most people in Canada will regognize the need for voter ID. A freind of mine recently showed me his permanent resident card it is a good example of what the federal government is already capable of creating.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your suggestion that we start turning our health cards into photo ID like is done in other provinces. This should be done for free and issued to all citizens
ReplyDeleteUNTIL we do this, requiring people to purchase a photo identification to engage in their democratic right to vote is grossly undemocratic.
One just has to look at what happened in the federal election and the proof of address rules, to see how low income people, and people on reserves and in rural Saskatchewan were disenfranchised because of badly thought out rules.
Rather than creating a problem with new legislation rushed in before an election year, the government could FIRST solve the problem of people not having proper identification which as you stated - you can't do much without proper identification in our modern society.
I disagree that it is grossly undemocratic to require proper identification in order to vote. Citizens have the right to vote, but they also have an obligation to inform themselves of the issues and to actually get out and vote.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that with the controversies up north and in other areas surrounding miscast votes, that is more undemocratic to continue allowing the new system.
Enough with the pandering to the disenfranchised, if you cannot be bothered to obtain some form of photo ID, then too bad.
Anon @ 8:59
ReplyDeleteYou're suggesting that those who have lost their jobs or are homeless -- and thus do not have the money to purchase a photo ID -- don't have the right to vote?
That's completely unjustifiable, quite possibly unconstitutional, and just plain ridiculous.
Anon 9:40, I'm not suggesting that at all. Make ID available to anyone (SGI will provide an ID card to any citizen free of charge every so many years, 6 maybe?...replacements cost money). If someone is serious enough about voting they can head down to SGI and get an ID card.
ReplyDeleteI never said that homeless or unemployed people don't have a right to vote, all I am said was that they have a duty to hold up their end of the bargain to cast a vote.
I suppose you are suggesting that those who have lost their jobs or are homeless -- and thus have the time and opportunity -- can just jump from poll station to poll station voting under any name they chose?
That's election fraud, quite possibly undemocratic, and just plain ridiculous.
@ 10:18
ReplyDeleteLet's recap.
Chris noted we need free photo IDs in place first and said:
"UNTIL we do this, requiring people to purchase a photo identification to engage in their democratic right to vote is grossly undemocratic. "
To which you responded:
"I disagree that it is grossly undemocratic to require proper identification in order to vote ... Enough with the pandering to the disenfranchised, if you cannot be bothered to obtain some form of photo ID, then too bad."
Well, contrary to your claim that SGI will provide "an ID card to any citizen free of charge," that is not the case. SGI charges a fee for photo IDs independent of drivers licences.
Therefore, either you are ignorant of fact or you are advocating the franchise based on ability to pay.
This pandering to the lowest common denominator is such a joke and part of the reason Canada is being run into the ground.
ReplyDeleteWe'll risk widespread election fraud as opposed to requiring people to obtain proper identification to vote.
Alert the hobos, unemployed people (through the same means as all other election information is passed) and tell them to stop by the government building to obtain some sort of verification in order to vote if they have no ID. Not like that segment of society doesn't have the time take care of that anyways.
From SGI site:
Free Photo ID for Seniors
As of June 1, 2006, Saskatchewan seniors can obtain a free photo ID card at any motor licence issuer in Saskatchewan. This is a $10 saving as part of the Government of Saskatchewan Seniors’ Gold Plan.
This voluntary benefit is available to all Saskatchewan seniors 65 years of age and over.
Two pieces of identification are required to obtain the photo ID card – one with a signature and another with a birth date.
This photo ID is not required to access any other benefits of the Seniors' Gold Plan.
If you have any questions about the free photo ID for seniors, contact sgiinquiries@sgi.sk.ca or SGI at 306-775-6900 in Regina or 1-800-667-9868."
So just extend this promotion to the bums and unemployed during a two week period prior to election season. Problem solved.
If someone doesn't have the wherewithal to track down appropriate ID (be it photo or not, just some sort of acceptable ID) prior to an election then they have no right to be voting.
ReplyDeleteEveryone thinks everything is their divine right these days. The reality is that sometimes you need to put a little work into putting yourself in a position to be able to exercise your rights. If a welfare abuser can find the time to go and fill out their 'government cheese' forms then they can certainly find the time to apply for a identification card.
For the people you cite above, a little food for thought:
1 pack of smokes = photo ID
2 beers = photo ID
take your pick....
That is my opinion
"Alert the hobos ... Not like that segment of society doesn't have the time take care of that anyways ... extend this promotion to the bums and unemployed"
ReplyDeleteSo having admitted to being ignorant of fact, you now advocate franchise based on ability to perpetuate stereotypes.
Nicely done!
Anon 1:16,
ReplyDeleteI apologize I forgot that the unemployed were so busy with their 2:00pm appointment with Jerry Springer, and probably wouldn't be free again until when Judge Judy releases them after 4:00. At which point happy hour should be starting. Of course they are too busy to accomplish a simple task of acquiring proper ID.
For F sakes, make any sort of ID compulsary....2 pieces....health card, drivers license, social insurance card, etc... Just have some sort of way of confirming that the person voting is who they say they are. It would at least reduce the risk of voter fraud.
Or is it too onerous to have the poor and unemployed do anything for themselves, like fill out the form to get a health card? a SIN card?
Is that good enough? Or will it still be too big an obstacle for the poor?
Anon @ 1:22
ReplyDelete"is it too onerous to have the poor and unemployed do anything for themselves"
You have made an assumption inconsistent with - if not fictitious with regard to - anything I posted.
My point, in agreement with Chris, was simple: If photo ID is required to exercise your franchise, then that ID should be provided independent of a financial means test.
As I read your last post, it appears we have now landed on almost the same page with regard to ID and voting. And I really have no interest in facilitating your attack on the values of the poor.
Pleasure debating with you ;)
I know immigrants who voted who do not have citizenship.
ReplyDeleteAnother problem is that pawn shops take dentures, id, for collateral. This should be against the law.
people can get id at:
CUMFI - Ave M south - Treaty Cards
Call Sask Health for a free health card
SGI as was mentioned.
THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO HAVE ID!
Ah I love a heated debate.
ReplyDeleteIt appears here that everyone is in favor of ID for voting. I agree the ID should be free and isn't all that hard to implement. If you don't like your picture how about finger print id the new IPAD makes it easy to scan a print. Just think no ink.
AS to all the banter about the poor downtrodden folk. They don't vote anyway.
What is all the fuss. A person needs their health card to utilize a mediclinic?
ReplyDelete"For the people you cite above, a little food for thought:
ReplyDelete1 pack of smokes = photo ID
2 beers = photo ID"
1. I don't smoke
2. I've never had to show ID for booze. Ever.
Apparently if I get mugged on election day and my wallet is stolen I guess I don't get to vote.
Ghostryder - You could get hit by a bus too! Get real! Sympathy is between shit and syrup in the dictionary. Boo! Hoo!
ReplyDelete