An issue that raised its mangy head a year ago during midterm elections is starting to creep slowly back into the news. By the time we get to November 2008, it will be full blown again.
The issue is requiring voters to show identification at polling places to assure they are actually voters. The complaints call this a violation of people's rights, which put up massive barriers against voting.
I would like to thank all who are making these statements about rights violations for raising the true problem with America today. We seem to have a group of people who feel we have rights we do not actually have.
They say we have rights to not identify ourselves as the correct voter in an election. We have rights to not stop at stoplights because to do so would violate our rights on free passage. We have rights to saunter across crosswalks in front of moving traffic because everyone knows that America is a land of free thinkers.
By now, you have experienced the rights these people believe they are granted.
When we speak of rights, however, I prefer the version that speaks of things I can grasp firmly.
I expect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I do not feel I should fear my government, or be unable to share in what everyone else feels are the specific rights granted to me by being an American. I expect to be treated fairly.
Here is where my feelings diverge from the ideas of radical individuals who believe there is a nefarious force abounding in the land that purposely targets individuals who, for a variety of reasons, do not want their identities known.
Activists feel these rights voters would be imposed upon if they were required to simply identify themselves as the individual who is actually taking the ballot into the voting booth.
They believe this will compromise the system and believe individuals will turn away in droves from the polling places because they refuse to divulge their identity.
Well, I am sorry. Can you say responsibility?
Many of us are growing tired of the pathetic whining of individuals who constantly complain they have rights, but fail to understand responsibilities go with those rights.
I have a right to cross the road, but when traffic is moving quickly or the light is red or an ambulance is passing, I have to make a responsible decision to wait until it is both feasible and safe to cross. This does not mean my rights are being violated.
With the voter identification issue, it is easy to bring out the screamers and make an issue concerning the taking away of a person's rights.
We should add to the mix the issue of showing identification when using a credit card or cashing a check, or getting sensitive court documents like birth certificates.
Why should anyone have to identify themselves when being apprehended fleeing from a robbery or murder. Why shouldn't we all clam up and refuse to say who we are.
Maybe these people have something to hide.
This is America in 2007. We have rights. They are spelled out in documents far and wide.
The problem is we have failed to spell out the other side of the coin that seems to seldom get uncovered - the side that speaks to responsibility.
When Americans across the country stop griping about the rights they believe are inherent, and start looking intelligently about the responsibilities we constantly ignore, maybe things will get better.
Maybe people will think before crossing streets.
Maybe politicians will speak to constituents as the employers they are.
Maybe journalists will think of the damage they do by reporting information before all the facts are known.
Maybe all of us will start to scream "responsibility," and start to act accordingly.
Craig Gunn is director of the communication program for MSU's Department of Mechanical Engineering and a State News columnist. Reach him at gunn@egr.msu.edu.
