Posted on 01/19/2005 6:11:36 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
Media Matters, the Soros-funded media watchdog, made a big stink last summer about talk show host Michael Savage's assertion that some illegal aliens vote. Here is what Savage is quoted as saying on his July 26, 2004, show:
"I'll go down the list of people who should not have the right to vote. Let's start with illegal aliens. Should they have the right to vote? Course they shouldn't, but they do. They're being courted by the Democrats as we speak." The so-called watchdogs at Media Matters responded, "Contrary to Savage's assertion, the U.S. Constitution grants voting rights only to American citizens."
As I pointed out at the time, numerous cities allow non-citizens (including illegal aliens) to vote in local elections. In addition, there is mounting evidence of participation by non-citizens in state and federal elections.
The latest evidence comes from the Houston Chronicle, which reported earlier this week that numerous non-citizens have voted in Harris County ("Loophole lets foreigners illegally vote," January 16). According to the article,
Dozens of foreign citizens, and perhaps hundreds more, have been allowed to vote in U.S. elections in Harris County because of the county's reliance on an "honor system" that effectively allows almost anyone to vote. At least 35 foreign citizens either applied for or received voter cards last year by checking a box on the application saying they were U.S. citizens, said Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt, who also is the county's voter registrar.
"If you check that you're a citizen, you'll get a card, unless we have some previous knowledge of your name," he said. "If they check yes and they're not a citizen, there is no database that is open to the public that I know of that you can check against."
Besides the 35 confirmed noncitizen applicants last year, Bettencourt is investigating at least 70 others and will send a list of suspected offenders to the Harris County district attorney, who can charge them with a misdemeanor if they haven't voted or a felony if they have. Although Bettencourt canceled the applications and registrations of the initial 35, he acknowledges there are sure to be more who have avoided detection.
"Because it's an honor system, fraud certainly exists," he said. "You never know what level of fraud you have, but we know of non-U.S. citizens voting, that's for sure."
While Media Matters' falsely asserts that the U.S. Constitution denies voting rights to non-citizens, the Chronicle points out that "the U.S. Constitution is silent on the subject. Some states and municipalities have allowed foreign citizens living in the United States to vote. Texas, for example, didn't require voters to be U.S. citizens until 1921."
The Chronicle also confirms that "Several municipalities in Maryland allow foreign residents to vote in local elections. Similar proposals are under discussion in New York and San Francisco."
Since Media Matters' readers never hesitate to bombard me with e-mails when they think I've made an error, perhaps David Brock, Atrios, Oliver Willis, and the rest of the MM gang would appreciate hearing from you. Their e-mail address is mm-tips@mediamatters.org.
Update: Speaking of corrections, I never did hear back from Slate regarding the errors discussed here. I'm also still waiting for corrections from the Nation, Greg Robinson, and Paul Krugman.
During the same broadcast, Savage opined: "[P]eople on welfare ... people with less than 100 IQ should not have the right to vote." He also falsely claimed that "illegal aliens" have the right to vote.
From the July 26 broadcast of Savage Nation:
Savage on Feldt and Planned Parenthood: Gloria Feldt is the head of the planned deathhood action fund, they kill babies. We're the baby killer people. That's what they ... their logo should be "we kill babies." We eat babies for breakfast. Gloria Feldt ... I haven't seen anyone as vicious as her since Goebbels.
Savage on who can and should vote: [P]eople on welfare should not have the right to vote while they're on welfare. Period. End of story. People with less than 100 IQ should not have the right to vote ... I'll go down the list of people who should not have the right to vote. Let's start with illegal aliens. Should they have the right to vote? Course they shouldn't, but they do. They're being courted by the Democrats as we speak.
Contrary to Savage's assertion, the U.S. Constitution grants voting rights only to American citizens.
— N.C.
We badly need voter ID swipe cards in a national database.
At least Savage is bringing the illegal issue to the forefront.
Whether its true or not about voting the point is that there are lawbreakers who are allowed to get away with the crime of entering into our country illegally and have the government allowing it.
They are a drain on all of our resources and their employers who are aiding abetting them are lawbreakers as well.
Their e-mail address is:
mm-tips@mediamatters.org.
I may be overlooking something, but wouldn't swipe cards take away privacy rights of citizens? I'm not one of these privacy nuts, but I do think the government should stay out of my life as much as possible. Just asking, I may be wrong.
I am tired of modern day fascism stealing elections and violating my civil rights.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20041027.shtml
MediaMatters is in error here or have their head in the sand...
I am in agreement with Savage and Malkin.. Illegal Aliens should NOT vote (U.S. Constitution grants voting rights only to American citizens) ..they do not have the RIGHT to vote, but much evidence shows that they DO.
The choice is clear: swipe cards in a national database or out of control illegals and out of control voter fraud. I know which one I prefer.
I am sick of tired of spectacles like the state of WA and now were are uncovering in WI, that make democracy a sham.
soros ping
well from seeing some things from Savage on here, it is probably a case of him saying the right things the wrong way.....just a guess (I dont listen to talk radio anyway) but that does seem to be his track record....
Eight of the 9/11 hijackers were registered to vote.
Swipe cards? Privacy?
Unfortunately, if a situation requires that you must prove some sort of status (citizenship, legal voter, age, etc.), then privacy must be compromised. It can't work both ways.
More unfortunately, it doesn't matter whether it's a "swipe card", an RF ID chip or a thumb scan... all forms of ID can be forged or stolen in some cases if there is enough of a need to do so. DNA is a bit harder to scam, though.
Not if the swipe card brings up a photo ID on the screen.
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