To the Editor:
The most fundamental right and privilege of being an American citizen is voting, yet in Maine, no one needs to show photo identification to prove that you are who you say you are. Why?
Please consider the facts, Mainers must produce valid photo identification to buy alcohol and cigarettes, adopt a pet, purchase a rifle, write a check at the Hannaford, make a credit card purchase at Best Buy, apply for a loan to purchase anything, start a bank account, get married and receive a marriage license, drive, close on a house, get medical care, or get a mailbox key from the US Post Office in Damariscotta.
We’ll add to that: get on a plane, get insurance, rent an apartment or move into an extended care facility, get a job, get a hotel room, rent a car, and enter a Federal building.
Given all of the above – which people will be left out? The people who don’t drive, don’t work, don’t eat, don’t own or rent a place to live, don’t travel, don’t go to the bank, don’t get married, don’t cash checks, don’t drink or smoke, don’t get sick, don’t need a mailbox key and possibly don’t reside in Maine.
Opposition to “no photo ID to vote!” is emotional and illogical and the mantra “it will leave people out” is baseless and lacks all common sense.
Jim Carlton, Damariscotta
