Voter ID only makes sense!

Great news today from the U.S. Supreme Court...Indiana's Voter ID law was upheld by a 6-3 vote! Does anybody else see a pattern here? In just a few short months, the ACLU & their Democratic friends have filed several suits including, "Prayer" at the Statehouse, the "In God We Trust" license plate, and now the "Voter ID" law...ALL of which were ruled in OUR favor!! When will it ever dawn on these people that Hoosiers believe in common sense? And Hoosier common sense again prevailed!

Is it not common sense to allow legislators and visiting pastors to pray at the opening of the General Assembly, as it has been since our forefathers founded this State? Uncensored prayer is not just common sense, but constitutionally protected and upheld by the Court. But even though we won that issue, we still CANNOT pray an "uncensored" prayer because one man, the House Speaker, still says, "no".

A few weeks ago, we won the "In God We Trust" plate issue and more than 1.6 million Hoosiers are proudly bearing that plate on their vehicle and now today the Voter ID law. I am proud to have been a co-author on both of those pieces of legislation. They are common sense issues. My district, resoundingly, supported both issues. Maybe we're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel of the liberal agenda and true conservative, common sense lives on!

Press Release

(STATEHOUSE) April 28, 2008 — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld Indiana’s law requiring voters to provide photo ID at the polls before they can vote.

The law, which passed through the Republican-led Indiana House of Representatives in 2005, seeks to prevent voter fraud. State Rep. Jackie Walorski co-authored the legislation passed during the 2005 session and is pleased to see it upheld by today’s ruling.

“This is a key ruling on the side of common-sense governance,” stated Rep. Walorski. “Showing a photo ID when casting a ballot is a simple way to curb voter fraud. Photo ID’s are readily available and often are needed to get around in everyday society, whether it is renting a movie, opening a bank account or getting on a plane.

“When I co-authored the legislation in 2005, I had many constituents ask me why they did not have to show identification when voting. They were concerned that just matching a signature in a poll book was not enough security. This provides another layer of protection, while still giving everyone a chance to cast a ballot. I want to ensure that everyone can vote, but only once.”

Certain groups opposed the law, saying that it infringed upon the rights of certain voters, such as the poor, elderly and those from minority groups. However, the law includes provisions for all citizens to receive a free photo identification card issued by the state if they do not already possess one and exempts individuals living in nursing homes where a polling place is located from the requirement to show a photo ID to vote. The law also exempts those who are opposed to being photographed for religious reasons.

There are more than 20 states that require some form of identification to be presented at the polls.

"In God We Trust"

I was delighted to see that our, "In God We Trust" plate withstood the latest ACLU test. It's amazing that 1.6 million Hoosiers would know what's right and not right about a license plate but it took the ACLU to drag, yet another, "God" issue into a Hoosier courtroom. Hoosiers obviously appreciate the reference to God or they wouldn't have responded in near record proportions to the BMV for this plate to be proudly displayed on their vehicle. I see more of those plates, in Northern Indiana, than I do any other plate.

For the next two weeks as Senators Clinton and Obama pound their way through the Hoosier state, I wonder what Obama will think when he sees, "In God We Trust" just about everywhere? Will he still want the votes from those "God fearing" Hoosiers or will he write them off as "bitter and uninformed"?

Refreshing Report

I have a refreshing report! I had the honor of speaking at the University of Notre Dame's Republican Club. This group launched their First Lincoln Day Dinner and brought in more than 70 conservative students. What a night, as some of the best and brightest this nation has to offer, talked about ways to "unite" conservatives. As a model for other college clubs, they brought together not only their Republican Club but also the Pro Life Club and other "values oriented" individuals and groups.

Here's the amazing part: This group, comprised of mostly finance/political science types, opened this event in prayer...actually prayed in "Jesus" name!! (Quite a shock to this legislator, who CANNOT do so on the floor of the Indiana House!) They talked about fiscal responsibility, fiscal conservatism, protecting marriage and other incredible subjects. They were confident, excited and resolute in their desire to keep our nation focused on the very issues that made our country strong.

These students believe that bringing like-minded people together, even if they don't agree on every single issue, will produce a stronger front in fighting the agenda of left-wing liberals. A lesson many like-minded adults can learn from.

Wow!

What a weekend in Obama-land! He thinks that if you're a gun-toting, faith-filled Hoosier then you are definitely "bitter" because of job losses?? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news to the candidate but I am probably the largest defender of our 2nd Amendment rights in the Indiana House, and a faith filled believer at that...and am definitely NOT bitter and have never lost a job in this country. So was Obama also saying that if you are ANTI-2nd amendment and ANTI-religion that you are a "happy" Hoosier?

And to think that just 3 weeks ago I wasn't "excited" about John McCain for President! Now, I think I'll have to go buy a McCain sticker for my holster!

4-8-08

Over the past week, I have spoken to several groups of Hoosiers from Northern Indiana about the general state of our culture. At one meeting, when I talked about the amount of debt that St. Joseph County is carrying, some people tried to "rationalize" the debt, others tried to "blame" other counties for stealing St. Joseph County's jobs, and still others said it is "acceptable" to have a 22% debt load while the rest of the State pales in comparison. There was a small group of people who came up with, what seemed to be a radical idea, which is "living within your budget". It seems that people are conditioning themselves to just accept "government spending".

Which goes to my point last week in my legislative wrap, that until we cap spending, at every level of government, there will be no long term help for taxpayers. A state spending cap is just as crucial as a local spending cap. Hopefully we'll have a Republican majority in the Indiana House in 2009 and we'll be able to accomplish this.

I walked into a local coffee shop this morning and the topic of conversation was why the South Bend School Corporation is allowing Barack Obama to visit Washington High School but they denied Hillary Clinton. What an interesting story unfolding. If anyone is going to hear Obama tomorrow night at 10pm in South Bend...ask him where he stands on the 2nd amendment...curious as to why neither Democratic Presidential candidate is talking about gun rights.