Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 08:42:48 -0400
From: matt porter
Subject: Re: Chatham Chatlist #4037
I believe that the email below is an excellent example of someone “muddying the waters with irrelevancies.” The question on the table is whether or not we should allow early voting. The citizenship of voters and allegations of vote tampering are important issues but clearly beside the point. Irrelevant. Designed to “muddy the waters” by creating an emotional reaction in people that keeps them from thinking clearly about the facts and logical arguments surrounding the issue. If I were to bring up poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and the other tools that conservatives have used to keep people from voting, I could be accused of doing the same thing. Maybe we should all make a point of avoiding “muddying the waters.”
As for voting, the fact of the matter is that Americans are pretty lazy about voting. Which is, frankly, embarrassing. And I wish this was not the case. But it is. So, there has been lots of debate about ways to increase turnout and even whether or not we should do anything to increase it. In my opinion, everyone having to vote on election day doesn’t work. I’m not saying that it’s not a good idea, but that low turnout proves it’s not the best option. I realize that it used to work here and that it works in other countries. But the facts demonstrate that it doesn’t work here now. So, we’re left with this question: what’s more important, everyone voting on the same day or more people getting to the polls?
Matt
Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 12:14:00 -0400
From: Joe Kingley
Subject: Early Voting
Once again our left-leaning compatriots seek to muddy the waters with
irrelevancies. No matter what event takes place there will always be the
risk of situation arising that can spoil them. If those on the left wish to
have a level playing field, I suggest they concentrate on ensuring that
those that vote actually have the right to vote, and those that take them to
the polls do not have undue influence over the way their “charges” vote,
either by suggestion or coercion. I might be more sympathetic to their cause
if they acknowledged the need to ensure the person who is voting actually is
alive, lives at the stated address, has not previously voted in the current
election, and is qualified to vote as a U.S. citizen.