Chicago Republicans

Congressman Raymond Eugene Green, better known as Gene Green, represents the 29th district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He's done so since the district was created after the 1990 census.  He lives in one of the rare liberal enclaves of the Lone Star State.  It's so liberal that our party didn't even present a candidate to oppose him in 1998, 2002 or 2004.

To his great credit, Representative Green voted in favor of the Iraq War and has steadfastly voted against any measures to provide insurgents with a timetable for our withdrawal.  In other words, he opposes telling our enemies when we plan to pack up and leave.  That's a good thing.

To his shame, however, Representative Green voted against requiring voters to present a valid ID before voting.  Clearly, ACORN members must love him.  Even in Chicago, with one of the most corrupt political systems in history, I must show my drivers license before voting.  One must ask what sense it makes to not require that you prove you're on the registered voter list before you vote.  That is not, however, the point of this blog.

We've all heard about the tactics suggested by the White House to Dems for running healthcare town hall meetings:  select smaller venues, restrict access to one doorway, have a larger than normal police presence, employ a "raffle" to decide who asks questions, limit it to a certain number of questions, etc.  While probably not in the playbook, I give kudos to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, another Dem from Texas for handling the situation in a unique way - take calls on your cell phone!  That's right, during a time-limited healthcare town hall meeting Representative Lee twice stepped aside to take a phone call on her cell.  She did NOT extend the duration of the town hall meeting to make up for the lost time.

I digress.  Representative Green has found another, unique method for dealing with town hall meetings.  His office announced that all those attending must present a valid photo ID or they will not be allowed in.  On the surface, this seems fine - if you're in his district you should have access over those who don't.  However, how does this jive with the notion that those showing up to vote for him don't have to prove they live in his district before voting?  His office has yet to explain this discrepancy.  I wouldn't hold my breath for an answer.

It's just one more example of getting away with being unfair because you have a D after your name.

Sources:

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=335056550700351&src=ADARTCL

www.newsbusters.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Green