This deal looks more jive every time we see it...
HARRISBURG - On the same day a judge cleared the way for the state's new voter identification law to take effect, the Corbett administration abandoned plans to allow voters to apply online for absentee ballots for the November election and to register online to vote. (PhillyInq, Amy Worden)
There goes the chief utility of the iPad brigades. But not to worry -- the Dept. of State's happening Facebook and Twitter accounts could still spur somebody applicable on to a Drivers License Center for questioning.
The oncoming VoterID regime will potentially be worth about how much to the Romney/Ryan Express? Three points? We are going to say between three and four points on Election Day. Assuming no earthquakes erupt at the state Supreme Court out of which a remorseful Justice Melvin crawls to do penance.
Changes to Medicare and Medicaid will be perceived more alarmingly for the older, the more infirm, more isolated and/or the more poverty stricken. Nate Silver did not fully factor in these sorts of things, such as all the affected groups and Mitt Romney's new operating system.
A real perfect storm of a sandwich that Corbett and Turzai have pulled the trigger on delivering.
Presidential brouhaha aside, I'm far more concerned about the impact on the accountability of local and state government to the people disenfranchised by this law. This law will also speed and deepen the already rampant corruption of the party that is supposed to stand up to the Social-Darwinisty sharks - all those astute investors who already line Dem pockets with fat fish to let the Big Boys do their thang with those "less fit to survive."
ReplyDeleteThe effect on the Democratic party could be interesting -- I'd guess most immediately and urgently among Hispanics. It could lead to a greater acceptance of immigration hawkery.
ReplyDeleteIf Michael is a citizen but his partner and his brother both are here illegally, does Michael risk going down to the DLC to tell the state, in broken English, of his address changes and whatever else is required to be run through the hastily initiated system? Or is discretion the better part of the valor in exercising one's franchise? And would being a card-carrying member of La Raza help or hurt Michael's odds in any way?
Si usted sabe Miguel, no se preoccupe.
ReplyDeleteUpcoming Presidential race aside, isn't it possible that this hurts Republicans more in the long run by chasing away elderly voters? People with fixed budgets and limited transportation may decide it's not worth the hassle.
ReplyDeleteA couple factors argue for a degree of backfire. The travails of the state effort will no doubt continue to produce dissonant headlines.
ReplyDeleteJournalists would be wise to stake out the DL centers at Smithfield St. Downtown, in Penn Hils Shopping Center, Duncan Manor Shopping Center in Allison Park and Chartiers Valley Shopping Center in Bridgeville. That's where the viral-strength news will be happening.
Transparency in voting is good for all ! Whine all ya want!
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:03 - Word, though we might have started with voting machines that leave a PAPER TRAIL... it's hard to argue against voting ID law without a bit of "nuance". Hastily pushing it through without preparation and scrambling to address the issues really shines a spotlight on the nuances.
ReplyDeleteOff the topic, but did anyone catch Scott Kunka on WESA's Pittsburgh-produced talk show yesterday? It was basically a 20-minute campaign ad for the mayor, no push back from the host, which is par for this fledgling program.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, one of the highlights for me was when Kunka spent some time blaming Murphy for the city's pension problems, then asserted that Ravenstahl had a firm grasp of all the difficult pension issues WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE AS MAYOR IN 2006! Truth is, at that point in his illustrious political career, Luke was still having trouble finding the men's room on the fifth floor.
Kunka then told the listeners that he had a bridge to sell.
Anon 10:25 - I bookmarked that, still have to listen to it. I only caught the very tail end of the interview which I found EXTREMELY interesting.
ReplyDeleteKunka answered in response to the host's last-minute Columbo impersonation that 1) We're in better shape now than we were two years ago and 2) "there is a consensus emerging on where we need to go" (with the pensions).
Veeerrrry interesting because
1a) In 2010 we executed Council's midnight pensions solution, which last we heard from the administration was awful, debilitating and made things worse and
1b) we should be able to agree that at best, it didn't do more than shuffle future revenues around a ledger
2) "An emerging consensus of where we need to go"?? There are only three places TO go:
i) Bankruptcy
ii) Asset sale / lease
iii) State-authorized revenue enhancement
If there's really a "consensus" around some combination of ii and iii, which would be my guess at the only "consensible" concept, that's news.
As far as consensus on pensions, I think maybe "burying the corpse deeply enough that it won't surface for a few years" counts as a place to go.
ReplyDeletethe time for bankruptcy was 2004. Asset sales are good anytime.no help from the state!
ReplyDelete