Bush Veterans Affairs Department Bans Voter Registration At Veterans Facilities

Think Progress:

This past May, the Veterans Affairs Department, led by Secretary James Peake, issued a directive prohibiting nonpartisan voter registration drives "at federally financed nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and shelters for homeless veterans." In today's New York Times, Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz writes, "What is the secretary of Veterans Affairs thinking?":

The department has placed an illegitimate obstacle in the way of election officials across the country and, more important, in the way of veterans who want to vote. A group of 21 secretaries of state -- Republicans and Democrats throughout the country, led by me and my counterpart in Washington State, Sam Reed -- has asked Secretary Peake to lift his department's ridiculous ban on voter registration drives. [...]

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[catinca]

They call this a democracy???

[research]

Oh, they just found something I'm wiling to go to jail for.

I will be starting a registration drive at my nearest vet center.

[demfriend]

So HuffPo this isn't worthy of a bigger title and closer to the top where it might get the attention it should? How are the injured troops supposed to register to vote or change their address which also is required when long term address changes are needed like a long term stay in a VA facility during rehab? This is like the right to vote is also being taken away from these people. If you can leave the facility to register it is supposed to be OK but if you are stuck miles from home and rely on others to have it so you can be mobile then I guess you are still stuck as I cannot see the same facilities transporting the injured anywhere else to register or to vote.

[MajorKong]

Nothing this administration does surprises me anymore.

[Angus703]

Yea really. Just another ridiculously un-American thing to do to our vets.

[NoSillyName]

This is appalling, but I'm no longer shocked by the crap this Mis-Administration does. They are Un-American, repulsive freaks.

[Gary47]

Is there still a living person in the country that needs ANOTHER reason not to vote republican?

[EricHayes]

And the recruiters wonder why they're having trouble getting volunteers . . . "We'll ship you over to a place that's hotter than Hell to get your ass shot off And not pay you enough for your family to live on while you're there), then, when it does get shot off, we'll throw you into a facility where the rats are better fed than you'll be. Then, to top it off, we'll make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to exercise your constitutional right to change all this".

Works for me . . .

[RatgurlSD]

That's about how I read it.

[LeawoodKansas]

Support our troops? Take care of the veterans that took care of us?

Why would Republicans want to do that?

[ShamusNYC]

I know, it's like crazy talk!

Then again, maybe they're being allowed to stay at the VA to stop them from going to the voting booth...

[ShamusNYC]

Reminds me of how repubs fought so hard against motor voter registrations...

[lily31]

DOUBLE YIKES!

This is not the American Way except as the Republicans see it.

If the MSM and State Election officials don't get this out in the open and turned around we will have betrayed the people who served our country so courageously during this utterly stupid war as well as all the other military actions.

Let's get action going with State and US Senators and Representatives!
Let's get action going with Governors and other state officials
Let's get action going with our local newspapers and television stations!
Let's get action going with the VFW and families!
Let's get action going with Moveon.org

NOW ....... to use a GWB favorite saying "this cannot stand"

Sic 'em!

[loper2008]

Funny how Republicans are afraid of VOTERS!!!!

[PioneerKing]

This can not be!!
Republicans trounging on a constitutional right??

Say it ain't so!!

once again republicans showing America what hypocrits they really are.

[desertdweller]

If they disenfranchise enough voters, the only ones left will be Bush's wife and his dog, and I'm not sure that the dog won't jump ship.

[lvdragonlady]

What a crock. People have the right to vote and the fact that the federal government supports them, should not interfer with any voter registration.
shrubie and his admins have gotten out of flippin control.

[SoCalNick]

OK I will try to Explain. The GOP has the RIGHT to pretend that EVERYONE in the Armed forces agrees with every they say and do, even use intimidation to get crowds of people in war zones to show up when they come overseas and act as if they are FULLY behind them. BUT when it come to allowing their REAL feelings to be exercised by a VOTE..well..........................you know. ~snark~

It is simple...say you work for Micro soft. Can you expect a long fruitful carrer to come after telling Bill Gates he sucks and is dumb as a box of Hammers? NO!

Just Imagine having a job where you CAN'T QUIT and can be chosen for the crappiest duty IF you do not play the game. Not to menton NEVER get promoted.

The fascination of the civilian community of the Miltary world astounds me. McCain was a Failure in the Military , yes he was a POW but that non withstanding. EVERY thing else he did was a DISMAL Failure. Why do you think he refuses to release his records??? KERRY DID!!!

[sand cat]

And this is a surprise because...?