Here is something I learned working in a retail management job over a decade ago, which I believe applies to the debate over voter ID in Texas (or anywhere else). Perhaps youll agree. One of the less exciting jobs I had in my early 20s was at an office supply store. When I was hired the district manager explained to me that the store I was being assigned to had the highest shrink (theft and other losses) in the state and that hed like my help determining where it was coming from. I was to report to him directly with my findings after the first couple weeks on the job. Even the store manager had no knowledge of my mission. Quickly I set about trying to organizing things in the store, particularly this room they had where laptops, digital cameras, and other high-dollar items stored, which was under lock-and-key at all times. I noticed they had no system for keeping track of anything that came in or out of that room and the head cashier was routinely tossing the key to whoever else in the store that wanted in. Employees were taking things out to show to a customer that the store had a demo model of on the floor already. So after consulting with the rest of the management I suggested we implement some changes, keep a log book, and restrict access to that area to managers. It became very clear right away that there were several people who wanted to fight me at every turn. They used every excuse in the book for why we shouldnt organize things, from it takes too much time to we have too much other work to do. After I argued with the head cashier one night, she complained to my boss that I just didnt like her because she was not the same race as I. But I kept pushing. Flash forward a few months and we determined that all the folks who had been fighting me so vigorously were involved in a theft ring that included members of management and other employees, and that even the store manager probably knew about it. My attempts to organize had made it very hard for them to steal. The lesson I learned: When things just arent making sense, start reading between the lines. There is no logical argument against requiring people to show an ID to vote. The state issues them for as little as $6 to those who dont drive, or who arent a student. You can even go into the polls without an ID and vote anyway, and fill out a form to receive your ID later. For years you had to show a voter registration card, and if anything a photo ID is simpler and less restrictive than that. What it does do is prevent people from voting under someone elses name, particularly a name of someone who is deceased. And consistently - at least in Texas - only one political party seems to oppose it. Why do I keep thinking back to the office supply store and wondering what their true motives must be?
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:38:03 +0000
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