Voter photo ID? Absolutely!

The 2012 presidential election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will be one of the most critical in U.S. history. We will also decide which political party controls each house of Congress: Harry Reid vs. Mitch McConnell and John Boehner vs. Nancy Pelosi. For one day the American voter will reign supreme.

For months there has been a raging battle over Voter ID laws in America. The new law in Pennsylvania is bouncing back and forth between the state Supreme Court and the lower court. A federal court in Washington D.C. recently struck down Texas’ new law and the South Carolina law is in the final stages of a suit filed against the U.S. Justice Department.

Currently, according to the National Conference of State Legislators, 31 states have voter ID laws. The crucial debate regarding this issue is the requirement for a photo ID for any person wishing to cast a ballot.

I am firmly convinced that a photo ID is necessary to protect both the voter and the integrity of the election process. As an American voter, I harbor considerable suspicion of Obama’s Justice Department and its Chicago connection. The opponents of voter photo ID claim that such laws discriminate again minorities.

It is fair to ask, therefore, why minority voters should not be required to take the same steps as non-minority voters to achieve the necessary ID. I believe their argument is discrimination in reverse because they want minorities to be exempt from going to the necessary government agency to obtain one of the numerous ID or photo ID cards available to all citizens. Opponents of the requirement point out rare cases of elderly people who they say can’t get the process done. Where are their family members, friends and the political party of their choice who can help them? In fact, most Americans already have some form of photo ID.

The crimes of identity theft, check and credit card fraud have been significantly reduced by strict photo ID requirements.

The last time I flew on a commercial airline I was required to show a picture ID at check in and security. Occasionally I have even been required to show a photo ID before boarding the aircraft. In the past couple of years I have reentered the United States six times and on each occasion my US Passport was not only electronically scanned, the officer took a close look at the picture to make sure it matched my person.

At most retail stores a sign reminds us that those who buy tobacco or alcohol products will be required to show a photo ID. Anyone trying to cash a check is usually required to follow the same procedure. It is not uncommon when making a large credit card purchase to be asked for a photo ID. When conducting large transactions at a bank or credit union, especially when an individual is withdrawing money, a photo ID is usually required. The last time I was stopped by a police officer I had to show my driver’s license which like my passport has a photo enclosed in plastic.

Prior to my last two surgeries I was required to show a photo ID at check in. Doctors are grateful to know that they are working on the right patient.

The U.S. government claims it doesn’t want anyone entering the U.S. illegally, despite the 12 million who are here, nor do they want any nut getting on an airplane these days with a weapon, explosive, or heaven forbid a can of shaving cream or a tube of tooth paste. The photo ID helps TSA keep us safe in our air travel and constantly irritated. Most of the above transactions or procedures have become fairly routine in America. Of course, none of the above photo ID requirements bear on who is elected in America, but they are generally accepted by most Americans as a safeguard and an economic protection. In summary, the purpose served by a photo ID is to prevent voter fraud, security breaches, terrorism, underage drinking, tobacco addiction and misidentification for a variety of reasons. All of these reasons are necessary, valid and sometimes a nuisance for Americans, which brings me to the sacred and critical constitutional right to vote.

The last time I checked the people were still sovereign, though Mr. Obama is trying mightily to tilt that sovereignty toward big government and its bureaucratic regulatory powers. The first function of a free and honest election is for a majority of the citizens to choose their representatives to carry out the delegated functions of governments.

The second, and certainly in my view the most important role played by voters, is to remove from office previously elected officials who have failed.

As Clint Eastwood noted at the Republican Convention, "And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go." The process should be as clean and honest as we can make it. A photo ID greatly removes the possibility of fraud in any critical and close election.