[Hoot Gibson]

I understand your embarrassment, Hoot. However, one would be naive to believe that, in some manner or the other, votes aren't "bought" and "sold" in every state.

Whether it is the tombstone voting in Chicago or the illegal immigrants voting in Florida, the practice is widespread. Obviously, photo identification would help. I am convinced that the Democrats garner a lot more illegal votes than do the Republicans since Democrats vehemently oppose any and all efforts to cure this problem. Their opposition has little to do with infringing upon the rights of individuals and much to do with cutting into their core constituencies. Conversely, Republicans support mandatory measures less because they want clean elections and more because they know Democrats get a large majority of the illegal vote.

I know that votes are bought and sold in every state, Truth. But this story plays into nearly every hillbilly stereotype. (At least this guy seem to have most of his teeth.) The people that the national media interviews in cases like this are always well represented by welfare recipients who use the worst imaginable grammar. In this case, votes were being bought for only $25 and the seller was stupid enough to admit it to a national TV audience. His interview has been running every few minutes on Fox News Channel and I am sure that he is enjoying more than his 15 minutes of infamy on other networks as well.

Just when I began thinking that the guy could look any more ignorant or embarrass his fellow Kentuckians any more, he suggested that the fix for the system was for "them" to do something about the people who buy votes. At no time does the man even hint that he regrets selling his vote for a pittance. He also said something to the effect that "everybody in the area does it."

I am dead serious about preferring a truckload of illegals who appreciate what we have in this country over somebody who is willing to sell his vote for a day's worth of beer and cigarette money. It is unfortunate that the sheriff cannot just drive this man to the state line and ban him from ever returning. This is the kind of people who are destroying this country and they do heavy damage to eastern Kentucky's image every time that they open their mouth in front of a camera.