Pennsylvania has a lot of problems.
Voter fraud is not among them.
The state is staring at a budget deficit that could hit $4 billion in June. School districts are strapped for cash amid another round of budget cuts. Chester Upland may or may not be able to meet its next payroll this week. State-affiliated universities as well as those in the state system of education are looking at more cuts and tuition hikes. Three local refineries are facing the dim prospect of being shut down and never opened again if a buyer cannot be found, throwing thousands out of work.
So of course our brave legislators have decided now is the time to stamp out the nefarious problem of voter fraud.
The House today likely will sign off on a new Voter ID law and send it on to Gov. Tom Corbett, who has indicated he will sign it.
I feel better already now that I know that the widespread problem of nefarious doings at the polls has been eradicated.
Wait, you say there is no such epidemic? Could have fooled me. Listening to the debate in our esteemed Capitol, you would get the impression that the polls are being overrun with bogus voters.
“This is to ensure one person votes one time,” said our governor.
He did not indicate any evidence to suggest that something otherwise is happening on any kind of widespread level.
In short, this legislation is a solution in search of a problem.
It is a colossal waste of time – not to mention coming fairly close to infringing on a citizen’s most precious constitutional right.
Similar laws have been knocked down in the courts, as recent as this week.
Of course, this is a presidential election year. And so we spend time on silly endeavors such as this one.
Republicans control both the House and Senate. They also have their guy sleeping in the governor’s mansion.
But Corbett and Republican legislative leaders really should be embarrassed that they are spending any time debating this measure when there are real issues begging to be addressed in Harrisburg.
I guess that’s why they always refer to Pennsylvania as “Land of Giants.”
I know, everyone is going to dismiss as the rant of the liberal editor of the Daily Times. Maybe so.
But if Democrats were doing this, I’d be just as vocal.
The bill isn’t needed.
Neither is the massive legal challenge that is sure to be mounted before the ink is dry on Corbett’s signature.
It’s not as if there aren’t more pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Voter fraud is not among them.
The state is staring at a budget deficit that could hit $4 billion in June. School districts are strapped for cash amid another round of budget cuts. Chester Upland may or may not be able to meet its next payroll this week. State-affiliated universities as well as those in the state system of education are looking at more cuts and tuition hikes. Three local refineries are facing the dim prospect of being shut down and never opened again if a buyer cannot be found, throwing thousands out of work.
So of course our brave legislators have decided now is the time to stamp out the nefarious problem of voter fraud.
The House today likely will sign off on a new Voter ID law and send it on to Gov. Tom Corbett, who has indicated he will sign it.
I feel better already now that I know that the widespread problem of nefarious doings at the polls has been eradicated.
Wait, you say there is no such epidemic? Could have fooled me. Listening to the debate in our esteemed Capitol, you would get the impression that the polls are being overrun with bogus voters.
“This is to ensure one person votes one time,” said our governor.
He did not indicate any evidence to suggest that something otherwise is happening on any kind of widespread level.
In short, this legislation is a solution in search of a problem.
It is a colossal waste of time – not to mention coming fairly close to infringing on a citizen’s most precious constitutional right.
Similar laws have been knocked down in the courts, as recent as this week.
Of course, this is a presidential election year. And so we spend time on silly endeavors such as this one.
Republicans control both the House and Senate. They also have their guy sleeping in the governor’s mansion.
But Corbett and Republican legislative leaders really should be embarrassed that they are spending any time debating this measure when there are real issues begging to be addressed in Harrisburg.
I guess that’s why they always refer to Pennsylvania as “Land of Giants.”
I know, everyone is going to dismiss as the rant of the liberal editor of the Daily Times. Maybe so.
But if Democrats were doing this, I’d be just as vocal.
The bill isn’t needed.
Neither is the massive legal challenge that is sure to be mounted before the ink is dry on Corbett’s signature.
It’s not as if there aren’t more pressing issues that need to be addressed.
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