What Are They Trying To Hide?
On this Independence Day a topic of considerable import comes to mind: the right to vote.
The right to vote has been correctly described as one of the main “pillars” of democracy. It’s delineated in Amendment XV of the Constitution and is further described in Amendments 19, 24 and 26. In fact, it’s referenced in our Constitution more than any other right. And the authors of the Constitution were correct to emphasize it. Voting is the preeminent mechanism that insures that a democracy will STAY a democracy, and not become beholden to special interests or groups.
But, like all the other rights granted by our Constitution, it comes with provisions, rules and requirements. The first and foremost requirement is that American voting must be carried out ONLY by AMERICANS. Our Constitution does not provide voting rights to foreign nationals no matter what the circumstances. This is NOT a parochial remnant unique to America. In fact, every democracy the world over allows ONLY citizens the right to vote.
Now I don’t think that anyone (even the most rabid “progressive”) would challenge a citizenship requirement for voting rights, at least not in public. BUT, the true test of fealty to our Constitution (and, by extension, to our country) is how committed one is to the ENFORCEMENT of that requirement. This is where “progressives” fall short. And, not only do they fall short, but they do so on purpose. It’s no secret that the vast majority of non-citizen voters will vote Democrat. The essence of the LLPD (Leftist Liberal Progressive Democrats) opposition to proof of citizenship requirements is a bold faced ploy to bolster the Democratic Party’s dwindling pool of voters.
States like California do not mandate proof on citizenship! (Source: Anna Daniels, San Diego Free Press,12/5/16). All that’s required is that an applicant SAY that they’re a citizen. That’s it! Although the process involves the California DMV, the bottom line is: ”Say you’re a citizen and here’s your ballot”. Even worse, “progressive” courts in Kansas, Alabama and Georgia have actually STRUCK DOWN legislation by their states requiring such proof! The courts claim that it’s “unconstitutional”!
So, what is to prevent any number of non-citizens from voting? NOTHING, really. And how can states certify their results as genuine when they can’t prove the citizenship of their electorate?
“Progressives” immediately retort that there’s “no evidence” of widespread voter fraud. Well, of course, there’s not. But that DOESN’T mean that it didn’t occur. Non-citizen voters don’t show up at the polls with signs saying “Non Citizen Here!” or “Please Note: I’m an Illegal Voter”! Without the proof of citizenship requirement, there’s no foolproof way to even OBTAIN evidence. Or, at least, “hard” evidence. An number of groups, however, HAVE looked critically at the issue. On November 9, 2016, the Washington Times published an article saying: “A large number of non-citizen Hispanics, as many as 2 million, were illegally registered to vote in the US, according to a nationwide poll.” Subsequently, an academic article from Old Dominion University also suggested that “non-citizens registered and voted in potentially large numbers.”
Now that Vice President Mike Pence is heading an investigation into non-citizen voting, many “blue states” are REFUSING to provide the data. They claim to be concerned about “privacy”, but that argument doesn’t hold water. If states HAVE the information, it’s ALREADY in government hands. Whatever privacy safeguards that states have, the feds can provide as well. So, this refusal by many blue states to assist in the investigation of non-citizen voting, raises a most important question: WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE?!!