Based On A Letter From The NAACP

Ben Jealous: Friend,  Imagine if everyone in Manhattan, Detroit and Chicago suddenly lost their ability to vote.

Far Right Wing nut: Hell yeah! Wouldn't that be great! Are we talking a general election or just local? I mean, just think, we could probably put a Conservative in charge and actually get those people back to work and into living meaningful lives in just a few months.

Ben Jealous: No, that's the number of people -- 5 million and counting -- affected by passed and pending changes to voting laws in states around the country. When all is said and done, millions more could be disenfranchised.

Far Right Wing Nut: Disenfranchised? Did they all, like, buy into KFC franchises that got cancelled or something due to Michelle Obama's dietary mandates? Or maybe what you mean is, they are either dead or are not actually citizens of the Country and, therefore, cannot vote, or they simply do not exist, or they are perhaps buying someone's elses vote.  Might that be the quandary that you're alluding to, Benjamin?

Ben Jealous: The people passing these laws lie. They say that it's about voter fraud. What it's really about is systematically suppressing voters of color, students and the elderly.

Far Right Wing-nut: Why the problem with an ID Ben? Are these people all of a sudden going to be incapable of an ID card that has their photo on it? I do agree, getting a photo ID, in these prehistoric times can, indeed, be tough. I mean, just the other day, Sam's Club made me stand in line for about five minutes just to snap my photo from their computer imager; that's a difficult amount of time to stand in line. But they did immediately produce the ID card before I could even shift the position that I was standing in. It was all quite distressing, I can assure you.  I mean, it was a windy day, and my hair is getting a bit long...so I can understand your angst in this regard. I even had to turn sideways to let this nice lady by.

Ben Jealous: While the NAACP is nonpartisan, the people pushing these laws are not. They know that the number of people, five million, whose votes would be suppressed by these laws is three times greater than the combined margin of victory in Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia during the 2008 presidential election.

Far Right Wing Nut: NAACP is non-partisan? Holy smoke! Who knew? I always thought that you guys were Liberals borderlining as White-hating Socialists. So the "National Association of All Colored Persons" (who are Liberal) gave a good deal of money to the Republican National Committee this year? Ben? You there, Ben?

Ben Jealous: Let's call these new voter requirement laws out for what they are: Extreme attempts by the far right-wing to legislate voter suppression.

Far Right Wing Nut: Yeah! Making people prove whom they are is just downright mean! Especially when they get documents notarized, drive a car,  buy cigarettes and beer, cash a check,  even when they ride on a jet. But voting for their local and national appointees, well, now that's different. I suppose all of the card carrying NAACP members should just burn their cards and do away with ID altogether, as well. Bet ya' get on that Monday, Ben.

Ben Jealous: We can fight back. Knowledge is power. Will you take these quick and easy steps to learn the facts about these new voter requirements?

Far Right Wing Nut: Well Ben, I would, but I actually have to go practice changing flourescent light bulbs; you know, tricky thing these days.

Ben Jealous: If we are going to push back against these new laws, we need to separate the truths from the myths -- and the facts do not lie:

• You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than you do of being impersonated at the polls. (Unless it's a clear day.)
• 11% of eligible voters would not have the proper, up-to-date, state-issued ID required to vote. (Unless they get the proper ID prior to voting; they have over 12 months and counting.)
• African American, Latino, young, elderly and disabled voters are far more likely to lack the required identification to vote. (Yeah, especially when they are buried six feet under mud)

Your support in the coming months is more important than ever. Take these quick and easy steps to start fighting back today.

Thanks,

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP