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RE :”Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions because the words ‘voting rights’ appear here. When discussing voting rights, you could be addressing a Constititonal right, or simply a right that had been previously granted by a state. For instance my comment, “I am not convinced that all felons need to lose their voting rights forever.”, doesn't address or imply a Constitutional right. It merely addresses a previously granted right to vote that might have been rescinded.”

I would call it ‘the ability to vote’. Do I have a right to drive a car? Few phrase it that way. Yes, many see voting as such a important thing that they view it as a 'right' (my vote is worthless is Maryland.)
On the left they been making the argument that ID required for airlines and alcohol and tobacco (demanded by Democrats in power) is not the same as voting because voting is a ‘right’, or many times ‘voting is a constitutional right’. So an ID requirement takes away their right to vote, if they don't have an ID. Democrats are pretty fired up about this.

You get my point.

Some on both sides will claim the 14th Amendment covers all these rights that no-one ever thought of for hundreds of years(like a felon's right to vote), but the 14th amendment was passed specifically to protect ex-slaves and maybe their successors.

I would call it ‘the ability to vote. Do I have a right to drive a car? Few phrase it that way.

I agree that few phrase it that way. I think they should be able to though. It has been my thought for some time that freedom of assembly means that I should be able to use what ever modern convenience I might choose to extend my ability to assemble, or pursue my own interests. While I agree that some standards should be met, it is still my take that baring a personal physical limitation, or some determination that I was not of sound mind, or that I couldn't or wouldn't comply with sound driving rules of the road, I should be able to walk, ride a bicycle, drive a car, or fly an airplane if that is what I choose to do. I should have to demonstrate a certain level of competence to do so, but having done so, I would consider this to be a right.

Yes, many see voting as such a important thing that they view it as a 'right' (my vote is worthless is Maryland.)

I hear ya.

I try to be a strong supporter of the Tenth Amendment. It does seem to me that it would be possible for individual states to do things that are not sound though. Should states be able to deny whites the right to vote? Should the state be able to deny Christians the right to vote? Should the states be able to deny women, men, or blonds the right to vote? Beyond the vote, should the states be able to deny blacks the ability to attend public schools? Was that written into the U. S. Constitution?

At the time of our founding, there were denials of the right to vote. Race and gender were disqualifications. I believe land ownership was a must in some states. I would submit that just as our Founders took a pass on addressing slavery at our founding, they also took a pass on specific voting rights, and other individual guarantees.

Were we intended to be subservient to our government, or was our government intended to be subservient to us? I would submit that our nation was set up to guarantee sovereignty as well as self-determination. How are we a self-determining people, if we can't express our will concerning how the government operates? If we as a people cannot be guaranteed the right to vote baring a personal phsyical limitation, or a determination of us not being of sound mind, how do we keep our government in check? How could we construe this as the goverment answering to us? Why would "We the People..." appear and not "This Benevolent Government having absolute authority..."

On the left they been making the argument that ID required for airlines and alcohol and tobacco (demanded by Democrats in power) is not the same as voting because voting is a ‘right’, or many times ‘voting is a constitutional right’. So an ID requirement takes away their right to vote, if they don't have an ID. Democrats are pretty fired up about this.

I believe there is a very good case to be made for having to show identification to vote. Voting fraud has been well documented. And if voting fraud does take place, it nullifies the votes of people who are qualified to vote according to the rules. Having said this, I remain unconvinced that forcing people to display I. D.s is the real answer to this problem. We have instances of clear voter fraud, and yet nothing is done to hold accountable those who do an end run on the voting rules. The enforcement of voter fraud with incredibly stiff penalties, is the way to go IMO.

When ACORN was registering every living being to vote, they should have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. When Hermandad Nacional actually registered illegal immigrants to vote, and there was documented proof that they did vote in the election that ousted Congressman Dornan, and replaced him with Loretta Sanchez, everyone involved should have been prosecuted, and Hermandad Nacional should have been disbanded. Instead, essentially nothing was done.

It seems to me we are being trained to perform like side show seals by our government. Ultimately, I think that is going to be used against us. I believe a case could be made that my objection to the presentation of I. D. when demanded, could actually facilitate what the govenrment has wanted all along though, and that's a way to I. D. us at will anywhere we go, track us, develop profiles, and do most of it under the color of national defense.

You get my point.

I do, and I'm not trying to be argumentative. I do think there are some important aspects of this that get short shrift, but I understand your cause for concern and your call for voter I. D.s to be checked.

Some on both sides will claim the 14th Amendment covers all these rights that no-one ever thought of for hundreds of years(like a felon's right to vote), but the 14th amendment was passed specifically to protect ex-slaves and maybe their successors.

I don't have a burden to bring the 14th Amendment into this. That's fine with me. I do want to urge you to consider if some things that went unaddressed at our founding, were left unaddressed so that there wouldn't be stumbling blocks on the road to unification. We know slavery was. I am fairly certain that other things were left unaddressed as well.