Word to People in Wheelchairs: Sen. Loudon Thinks Because You Don’t Drive You are Lazy and You Shouldn’t be Allowed to Vote

Although there were many other worthy submissions of offensive quotes, the Heartless Quote of the Week goes to Senator John Loudon, hands down:

Republican Sen. John Loudon ridiculed concerns [voiced by nuns, elderly, disabled, student, poor and minority voters] that the photo ID requirement amounted to a tax on voters.

"The only thing taxing is you have to get off your duff and get an ID that's given away for free," Loudon said.

Yes, Loudon told that to Kathleen Weinschenk, who has cerebral palsy and doesn’t drive -  and who wouldn’t be able to vote without a government-issued photo ID if the heartless GOP has their way.

In order to get that “free” government-issued photo ID (a Missouri non-drivers license), Ms. Weinschenk must first comply with the Show Me Proof/REAL ID requirements and get:

(1) a certified copy of her birth certificate from Arkansas (with an embossed or raised seal), a valid or expired U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Birth Abroad; AND

(2) a Social Security card or Medicare card with her current name on it; AND

(3) a recent utility bill (including phone, electric, gas, water, sewer, and cable), property tax receipt, or most recent bank statement, voter ID card, or any official letter issued within the last 30 days by another state or local governmental agency on its letterhead.   

Some samples of underlying costs/bureaucratic steps:

•    $12 – Arkansas birth certificate (can pay additional costs to have it “expedited”)
•    $100 – passport
•    To replace a lost Social Security card one must:
  1. Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
  2. Show documents proving your identity; and
  3.Show documents proving your U.S. citizenship if our records do not already contain  that information; and
  4.  Show documents proving your current, lawful, work-authorized status if you are not a U.S. citizen.

Right now, all Missouri voters, including Kathleen, must already identify themselves when they vote, but there are a number of ways that aren't so restrictive as to keep eligible voters out of the mix. 

It's just plain mean that the GOP wants to change the constitution so they can disenfranchise law-abiding folks with disabilities who literally couldn't "get off their duffs" if they wanted to. 

Congratulations, Senator Loudon, for reaching a new low.