One of the ongoing divisive issues in America is whether or not voters should have to show identification proving we are American citizens. When I registered to vote in Pennsylvania, I had to show proof of residence, not citizenship. And I want to be clear that I think only American citizens should be allowed to vote. It is one of the great privileges we have as citizens, one which is too often ignored. Remember that most presidents are only elected by about a third of the voting population; in the last presidential election, more people chose to not vote than voted for Pres. Trump. That is shameful.
For millennia, there have been poll taxes. Throughout American history, these have been levied regardless of income, making voting more difficult for people with limited funds. Which is part of the point, isn’t it? It is well documented, historically, that people with money hold the power, and any attempts by the rest of us to change that meets stiff resistance. It is part of the unfairness of wealth, and why holy Scriptures across most religious sects condemn the influence of greed on people’s consciences. “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us, but the verse before it is even more telling. “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
If we could guarantee that every eligible voter could get identification without placing an undue burden on them, I would agree to a national ID for voting. It could be done, but it would take money, as well as the will of a government that believes in fairness, instead of leaders grasping at any possible way to gain an advantage. Any and all administrations can be guilty of that. That is why those of us with ethics and morals, especially those who believe they are religious, should stand up for fairness in all things. Because human nature is largely selfish, and selfishness opposes fairness. It doesn’t matter what your political identity is; if you believe in fairness, you have to support equal rights for everyone. No matter what. Because God is always about equality and fairness and justice.
Prayer – Holy God, You see into our hearts and hope for the best – give us the courage to do the right thing, no matter what. Amen.
Today’s art is a poster from the National Service Training Program contest promoting equal rights.