Voter ID Denial a Sham

For John, BLUF:  Do you require some sort of an ID from your customers?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Over at The Hill Reporter Juan Williams notes "Dems should not be losing voting-rights fight".  But, apparently, Ms Clinton, et al notwithstanding, they are.

Why are Democrats losing the debate over voting rights?

The biggest political fight shaping the 2016 campaigns for the White House and Senate is over limiting the Democrats’ base of likely voters.

President Obama twice won the White House by bringing more young people and minorities, his biggest supporters, into the political process — and into the voting booth. Republicans are now pushing back to increase their electoral chances in 2016.

And they are winning.

Even most black Americans — people who, overwhelmingly, don’t vote Republican — currently favor new requirements for voters to have photo identification. Three-quarters of all voters — people of all races and political parties — favor such laws, according to polls.

The black support for photo identification of voters can only be described as amazing.

Why is this amazing?

I suspect that there are lots of Black people, who, if you stripped out their race selection and zip code, would appear to be just regular middle class people.  Fairly strong religious orientation and a dislike for crime.  A belief in hard work and fairness.  People who believe that “the most qualified person should get the job.” and “Everyone can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough.”

The real question about Voter ID is how those without a Photo ID exist in our society?

• They apparently don't drive cars or motorcycles.  And can't get jobs as Cabbies or truck drivers.
• They probably can't cash checks.  (I had a bank that at one point required two forms of ID.)
• They can't get a legit job since they can't provide a Photo ID and proof of citizenship.
• They never leave the country, since they have no passport.

I suspect what we are seeing is two economies in one territory.  One economy is above ground and moving along and another nation underground, avoiding taxes and perhaps engaged in what the above ground economy thinks of as illegal activities.  Two different groups, socialized in two different ways.

But, back to Mr Williams' question, I don't think they are losing the likely voters.  In Texas the new voting laws have seen an increase in participation.  Maybe folks now feel that their vote is real and counts and won't be diluted.

But, back to the folks without a Photo ID.  From US News and World Report, from two years ago there is an article with this item:

Economists estimate the size of the underground economy at somewhere between 8 percent and 14 percent of total GPD, which could amount to as much as $2 trillion worth of economic activity. Authorities in California say off-the-books transactions cost the state $6.5 billion in lost tax revenue every year.

So, 8 to 14 percent of our GDP is off the books, which suggests that something like a tenth of our population is off the books.  They probably don't need a Photo ID and don't wish to highlight themselves by getting one.  Yes, there are the very poor, but they can get a free Photo ID, but they need to be educated about it.  There is the place for the whinging Democrats to look for voters.  Although those folks may actually blame Democrats for their situation.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff