I recall that on election day in 2000 I went to vote, then went to the bank to draw out a fairly large check. I had to show ID at the bank, but not at the polls. The thought struck me then that things were backwards. I should have to show more ID to vote for the people who govern the country than to get some money from my own bank account.
I completely agree with you; showing ID does not make your ballot "unsecret," which it has to be. Merely proves who you are. You know, way back when, not everybody voted, only land holders, etc. Well, you can bet the Founding Fathers never thought of requiring I.D.'s because really everybody knew everybody....when towns were small and people moved less, and old man would know every body in the entire town, most from the time they were born. And, on the flip side, a stranger is also "known" by the old man. ... before he even meets the stranger....word of mouth, etc., he knows all about the guy before he ever shakes his hand for the first time.
We, we don't have that luxury of community anymore, and that's what I think it is, a luxury, a good thing, not required but something you desire. So strangers live now among strangers. ID is required now; we don't have the ability to identify someone besides taking them at their word....not something that should be done during elections.