Voter ID and Racism

Dennis Prager makes the case that the accusation that voter ID is racist demeans blacks.

Prager writes:

While dining out last week, I periodically looked up at one of the television monitors to see the score of the first game of the NBA finals. As there was no sound on to interrupt diners' conversations, the monitor was in caption mode: One could read rather than hear the words spoken. At the conclusion of the game, an announcer was interviewing a member of the victorious Miami Heat players. I saw from the captions the player saying the words "they isn't."

Closed captions display the words spoken. They don't correct for poor grammar.

All I could think was: How can a grown man in America today say "they isn't" rather than "they aren't"?

First, how is it possible for anyone to graduate an American elementary school, not to mention a high school or, most incredibly, attend college, and leave with an inability to conjugate the verb "to be"?

Second, has anyone -- a parent or another relative, a teacher, a friend, a coach -- in that player's life ever corrected his grammar?

I assume that the answer to the second question is "No."

And I assume that the answers to both questions are related: The left, which dominates our culture and educational institutions, has too often lowered standards for black Americans. Even worse, it has declared that if you are black, "they isn't" is not only not to be corrected, but many in academia have declared it an acceptable form of English, i.e., Ebonics, or Black English.

It doesn't end.

I saw "they isn't" the same week the Democrats and others on the left virtually unanimously condemned all Republican attempts in state legislatures to pass legislation requiring voters to show a photo ID. The Democrats labeled it a means of "disenfranchising" blacks. Many Democrats compared it to Jim Crow laws.

"Jim Crow, move over -- the Wisconsin Republicans have taken your place," charged Wisconsin Democratic State Sen. Bob Jauch, referring to his state's new voter ID law.

It is hard to imagine a more demeaning statement about black America than labeling demands that all voters show a photo ID anti-black.

This is easily demonstrated. Imagine if some Democratic politician had announced that demanding a photo ID at the voting booth was an attempt to keep Jewish Americans from voting. No one would understand what the person was talking about. But why not? Jews vote almost as lopsidedly Democrat as do blacks. So why weren't Jews included in liberal objections to voter ID laws?

We all know the answer. Jews are generally considered intelligent and therefore no one would assume that obtaining a photo ID was demanding too much of even poor Jews (yes, there are poor Jews). Therefore, one can only infer that the argument that demanding photo ID for voting will disenfranchise many blacks suggests that many blacks lack the capacity to obtain a photo ID.

If that is not a legitimate inference, then only one other inference is possible: The argument is made solely in order to score political points by portraying black Americans as victims of Republican racism. Of course, that argument simply takes us back to the original question: Why does requiring a photo ID to vote prevent blacks from voting?

It is, however, effective. Calling Republicans racist has worked for half a century and will not be abandoned until it is universally recognized as the libel that it is.

Read more.

Prager does an excellent job of illustrating how ridiculous, as well as offensive, it is to claim that requiring a photo ID to vote is racist.

On a related note, Democrat Party Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said that photo ID is the GOP's plan to bring back Jim Crow laws.

[I]f you go back to the year 2000, when we had an obvious disaster and - and saw that our voting process needed refinement, and we did that in the America Votes Act and made sure that we could iron out those kinks, now you have the Republicans, who want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws and literally - and very transparently - block access to the polls to voters who are more likely to vote Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. And it's nothing short of that blatant.

Talk about over the top rhetoric, from the Dem Party chairwoman no less!

It's unforgivable. Sadly, it's typical Democrat blather.

Wasserman Schultz kind of sort of slightly retracted her statement:

Jim Crow was the wrong analogy to use. But I don't regret calling attention to the efforts in a number of states with Republican dominated legislatures, including Florida, to restrict access to the ballot box for all kinds of voters, but particularly young voters, African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

That's no retraction, even though Ben Smith of Politico wants you to think it is.

Republicans and Jim Crow laws - give me a break!

Bottom line: Measures to prevent voter fraud and assure the integrity of our elections is in the best interest of every American. The only reason to object would be a desire to make it easier to cheat.

That's disenfranchisement.

I guess the Democrats are pro-disenfranchisement.
___________________

UPDATE: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board recommends PHOTO ID to prevent fraud in the FoodShare program.

People using social media such as Facebook and Twitter to buy and sell public food assistance benefits are cheating the vast majority of honest recipients who need help. State officials need to put an end to this practice - and one way to do so is to require photos on the FoodShare Quest card. Emergency cards need some level of security as well.

For some FoodShare users, this may create a hardship, especially for those who are elderly or sick. Those with greater needs should be given the ability to have a family member or friend use their card.

But right now, all anyone who uses a Quest card needs is a four-digit pin number. Those who report their cards lost or stolen and qualify for an emergency card should have to have that card verified by identification as well. Without verification, that card is as good as cash - and in the wrong hands can be sold, used for drugs or traded for alcohol.

RACISTS!

Kloppenburg: Statewide Recount (Video)

Here's the full video of JoAnne Kloppenburg's statement announcing her decision to request that the taxpayers of Wisconsin pay for a recount in her failed election bid against Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser.



Nauseating.

Even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board takes a surprisingly reasonable stance on Kloppenburg's call to waste the state's resources.

JoAnne Kloppenburg certainly had the right to ask for a statewide recount on Wednesday.

But we had hoped that she wouldn't - and the state would be better off if she hadn't.

We understand the motivation. The final county-by-county canvassing of the state Supreme Court election revealed that Justice David Prosser won a narrow victory, a reflection of how polarizing the new governor and his policies have become. The heat generated by the controversy over those policies most likely spurred the significant turnout for a spring nonpartisan election and a 7,316-vote win for Prosser - less than 0.5% of the 1.5 million votes cast.

That's slim, but it's not likely that a statewide recount will change the outcome. Were it a margin in the hundreds of votes, perhaps, but Kloppenburg has to recognize that it's not.

The state Government Accountability Board says it is ready for a recount; the board had anticipated that one would be requested. But it is already requesting some $40,000 extra to deal with a possible 16 recall elections anticipated as a result of some senators leaving the state to avoid a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining proposals and other senators voting for them.

Earlier, the GAB said a statewide recount in the Supreme Court race might cost as much as $1 million. Given that the state is already scrambling in its current budget to make ends meet and that the next budget won't be any prettier, this is an expense the state can ill afford.

...Kloppenburg might have simply narrowed her recount request to Waukesha County.

But, again, this is her right. We urge the GAB to conduct the recount openly, transparently and in such a fashion that there is no room for doubt. And we urge all the parties involved to allow the GAB to do its job efficiently and without undue interference.

Kloppenburg's decision to burden the state with the cost of what the Journal Sentinel calls an "unnecessary" recount, meaning the Democrats/unions' decision to burden the taxpayers, is utterly irresponsible.

Think of all the ways that money could be better spent.

Kloppenburg's incredibly poor judgment is on display.

It was there when she made her laughable victory speech. Here it is again.

It's unfortunate that Kloppenburg doesn't have the strength of character and the decency to do the right thing.

Having the right to do something doesn't make it right.

Taxpayers of Wisconsin, please join me in a resounding "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!"

Vote for David Prosser

The race for Supreme Court is a no-brainer.

Justice David Prosser is by far the best candidate. In every capacity, Prosser is JoAnne Kloppenburg's superior. Without question, he deserves to be reelected to the Supreme Court.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board exercised surprisingly good judgment by endorsing Prosser:

David Prosser recently compared the Wisconsin Supreme Court, of which he is a member, to a family. Families have their squabbles, he noted in an interview with WisconsinEye.

True enough, but this "family" does more than squabble. It's close to dysfunctional.

The state Supreme Court is riven with personal dislikes, petty jealousies and wide ideological divides. The court is split 4-3, with self-described judicial conservatives, including Prosser, most often in the majority.

Though Prosser, 68, shares responsibility for the court's divisiveness, we don't believe he is the problem. Prosser has been a capable justice who has shown the ability to work with his ideological opposites when the situation demands. He is a good writer, has an even temperament and is a hard worker. We disagree with him on disciplining of lawyers - he doesn't see major problems with the lax system the state now employs; we do. But this is not enough to disqualify him.

...All the justices share responsibility for decorum, but Prosser is right: The chief does have a special role to play. It's worth noting that fissures on Abrahamson's court are nothing new. Shortly after Prosser joined the court in 1998, a cabal of justices sought to depose Abrahamson, backing her opponent in her re-election race. Prosser supported her and says that over the years he has had a good relationship with her.

We encourage Prosser - and his fellow justices, especially Abrahamson - to repair their differences and focus on interpreting the state constitution fairly and modestly. Leave the sniping for the lunch room.

Kloppenburg, 57, is a strong candidate. She has degrees from Yale and Princeton and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin. She specialized in environmental affairs. But we believe Prosser is the stronger candidate this time.

We recommend that voters return him to the court for another 10-year term.

There's no question that Justice Prosser is a stronger candidate than Kloppenburg.

He has an extremely impressive list of endorsements, including:

Governor Tommy G. Thompson
Gov. Scott McCallum
Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow

Retired Supreme Court Justices:
Justice William Callow
Justice Don Steinmetz
Justice Louis Ceci
Justice Jon Wilcox

Judges:
Hon. Charles Pollex, Adams
Hon. J.D. McKay, Brown
Hon. Donald Zuidmulder-Brown
Hon. Kendall M Kelley, Brown
Hon. Mark Warpinski, Brown
Hon. Don Poppy, Calumet
Hon. Alan White, Columbia
Hon. Patrick Fiedler, Dane
Hon. George Glonek, Douglas
Hon. Kelly Thimm, Douglas
Hon. Leon Stenz, Forest
Hon. Dale English, Fond du Lac
Hon. Peter Grimm, Fond du Lac
Hon. Richard Nuss, Fond du Lac
Hon. Robert Wirtz, Fond du Lac
Hon. James Beer, Green
Hon. Randy Koschnick, Jefferson
Hon. Paul Curran, Juneau
Hon. John Roemer, Juneau
Hon. Chad Kerkman, Kenosha
Hon. Bruce Schroeder, Kenosha
Hon. Wilbur Warren, Kenosha
Hon. Mary Wagner, Kenosha
Hon. Todd Bjerke, LaCrosse
Hon. Scott Horne, LaCrosse
Hon. Fred Karalski, Langlade
Hon. Jay Tlusty, Lincoln
Hon. Tim Duket, Marinette
Hon. James Habech, Shawano
Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee
Hon. William Brash, Milwaukee
Hon. Jane Carroll, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Cimpl, Milwaukee
Hon. Jeffrey Conen, Milwaukee
Hon. Pedro Colon, Milwaukee
Hon. Joseph Donald, Milwaukee
Hon. Tim Dugan, Milwaukee
Hon. Clare Fiorenza, Milwaukee
Hon. David Hansher, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Konkol, Milwaukee
Hon. Mary Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee
Hon. Kevin Martens, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Moroney, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Noonan, Milwaukee
Hon. Stephanie Rothstein, Milwaukee
Hon. William Sosnay, Milwaukee
Hon. Francis Wasielewski, Milwaukee
Hon. J.D. Watts, Milwaukee
Hon. Maxine White, Milwaukee
Hon. Jay Conley, Oconto
Hon. Michael Judge, Oconto
Hon. John Desjardins, Outagamie
Hon. Howard Froehlich, Outagamie
Hon. Michael Gage, Outagamie
Hon. Mark McGinnis, Outagamie
Hon. Mitchell Metropulos, Outagamie
Hon. Paul Malloy, Ozaukee
Hon. Sandy Williams, Ozaukee
Hon. Joseph Boles, Pierce
Hon. Dennis Barry, Racine
Hon. Faye Flancher, Racine
Hon. Gerard Ptacek, Racine
Hon. Gene Gasiorkiewicz, Racine
Hon. Edward Lieneweber, Richland
Hon. Daniel Dillon, Rock
Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Rock
Hon. James Welker, Rock
Hon. Scott R. Needham, St. Croix
Hon. Patrick Taggart, Sauk
Hon. Robert Kennedy, Walworth
Hon. James Carlson, Walworth
Hon. Todd Martens, Washington
Hon. Michael Bohren, Waukesha
Hon. William Domina, Waukesha
Hon. Donald Hassin, Waukesha
Hon. Lee Dreyfus, Waukesha
Hon. Mac Davis, Waukesha
Hon. Patrick Haughney, Waukesha
Hon. Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha
Hon. Mark Gundrum, Waukesha
Hon. Raymond Huber, Waupaca
Hon. Greg Dutcher, Waushara
Hon. John Jorgensen, Winnebago
Hon. James Mason, Wood
Hon. George Curry, Grant
Hon. James Eaton, Barron (retired)
Hon. Tim Vocke, Oneida (retired)
Hon. Ed Zappen, Wood

Elected Officials:
County Executive Dan Vrakas (Waukesha)
Mayor John Antaramian (Kenosha--former)
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (Independent-Manitowoc)
Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth)
Rep Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz)
Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin)
Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby)
Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette)
Rep. Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction)
Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay)
Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon)
Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg)
Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)
Rep. Jerry Petrowski, Jerry (R-Marathon)
Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva)
Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan)
Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee)
Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford)
Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam)
Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi)
Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake)
Rep. Mark Honadel (R-S. Milwaukee)
Rep. Erik Severson (R-Star Prairie)
Rep. Andre Jacque (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)
Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah)
Rep, Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake)
Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)
Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield)
Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake)
Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)
Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)
Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)
Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel)
Rep. Joe Knilans (R-Janesville)
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac)
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown)
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst)
Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson)
Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield)
Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City)
Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)
Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids)
Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia)
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin)
Rep. Tom Larson (R-Colfax)
Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade)
Rep, Mary Williams (R-Medford)
Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)
Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)
Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay)
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau)
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)
Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)
Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn)
Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere)
Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls)
Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)
Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center)
Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa)
Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
Past-Rep. John Dobyns

Law Enforcement Community
Milwaukee Police Association
Sheriff David Clarke, Milwaukee
Sheriff Dan Trawicki, Waukesha
Sheriff John Gossage, Brown
Sheriff Steve Helgeson, La Crosse
Sheriff Bradley Gehring, Outagamie
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Todd Nehls, Dodge
Sheriff Paul Susienkea, Bayfield
Sheriff Jerry Moran, Crawford
Sheriff Mylan Fink, Fond du Lac
Sheriff Dennis Smith, Dunn
Sheriff Jerry Sauve, Marinette
Sheriff John Andrews, Pepin
Sheriff Dean Roland, Burnett
Sheriff Dennis Richards, Columbia
Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, Douglas
Sheriff Mark Podoll, Green Lake
Sheriff James Kowalczyk, Chippewa
Sheriff Ron Cramer, Eau Claire
Sheriff Jeff Rickaby, Florence
Sheriff Keith Glover, Grant
Sheriff Steve Michek, Iowa
Sheriff Brent Oleson, Juneau
Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha
Sheriff Scott Pedley, Lafayette
Sheriff William Greening, Langlade
Sheriff Kim Gaffney, Marquette
Sheriff Phil Malsack, Marquette (former)
Sheriff David Kaminski, Rusk County
Sheriff Michael Jansen, Oconto
Sheriff Maury Straub, Ozaukee
Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Randy Wright, Shawano
Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, St. Croix
Sheriff Gene Carey, Vernon
Sheriff David Graves, Walworth
Sheriff Terry Dryen, Washburn
Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Washington
Sheriff David Peterson, Waushara
Sheriff Michael Brooks, Winnebago
Sheriff Randy Roderick, Green (former)
Sheriff Lewis Rosandisch, Clark (former)
Sheriff James Kanikula, Marinette (former)
Sheriff Randy Stammen, Sauk (former)
Sheriff James Meier, Sawyer (former)
Chief Randy Martin, RIO
DA John Zakowski, Brown
DA Mike Nieskes, Racine
DA Richard Dufor, Marquette
DA Brad Schimel, Waukesha
DA Carrie Schneider, Outagamie
DA Kurt Klomberg, Dodge
DA Daniel Bank, Douglas
DA Gary Luhman, Green
DA Gerald Fox, Jackson
DA Scott Southworth, Juneau
DA Adam Gerol, Ozaukee
DA Gregory Parker, Shawano
DA Eric Johnson, St Croix
DA John Snider, Waupaca
DA Scott Blader, Waushara

Past State Bar Presidents
Gary Bakke, New Richmond
Pamela E. Barker, Appleton
Lawrence J. Bugge, Madison
R. George Burnett, Green Bay
Gregory R. Conway, Green Bay
John R. Decker, Evansville
James D. Ghiardi, Shorewood
Franklyn M. Gimbel, Milwaukee
D. Michael Guerin, Milwaukee
Donald L. Heaney, Madison
Myron E. La Rowe, Reedsburg
Gerald W. Mowris, Madison
Gerald M. O’Brien, Stevens Point
John Skilton, Madison
Thomas S. Sleik, La Crosse
Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon
G. Lane Ware, Wausau

Associations/Groups
Physicians for Responsible Government
Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Wisconin Realtors Association
Wisconsin Builders Association
Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Lawmakers, the legal community, and law enforcement all endorse Prosser.

JoAnne Kloppenburg's page of endorsements has lots of names, but they're simply alphabetized, without titles.

That's OK for the phone book, but it's a disorganized way to list endorsements.

For me, this race boils down to experience and judicial philosophy.

Kloppenburg lacks experience. I don't think she's qualified to be on the Supreme Court.

Read about Justice Prosser's experience, in his own words:

Experience Matters -- Prior to my 12 years on the bench, I served 18 years in the legislature, two years as Outagamie County District Attorney, and more than two years in the United States Department of Justice. In these roles, I have created, applied, and interpreted law -- and received high marks for my performance in every capacity.

Judicial Philosophy -- I present myself as a judicial conservative, devoted to the constitution and the rule of law. My job is to find the law and apply it properly, not to make it up to advance some ideological objective.

Judicial Record -- In 12 years, I have participated in more than 900 published Supreme Court decisions and have written opinions in almost every area of law. My record for impartiality and scholarship is well known to people who closely follow the work of the court.

A Supreme Court justice is expected to be an independent decision-maker who makes the correct call in tough cases. I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and reasonable justice who will apply the law fairly, not legislate from the bench.

This race isn't a referendum on Governor Scott Walker.

It's not about unions and their thuggery.

It's not about the injustice of public employees demanding that middle class taxpayers like me be burdened with paying for my own health care and saving for retirement as well as footing the bill for their benefits.

This is about electing an experienced, qualified justice for the Supreme Court; someone who will interpret the law, not act as a legislator.

I'm not going to vote for an inexperienced, judicial activist like Kloppenburg.

I'm voting for Prosser.