Why doesn’t Paul Ryan want his constituents to vote?

Mount Pleasant, WI- Ryan Solen has grave concerns about problems many Wisconsin voters face.  He commented today, “Voting is a fundamental right of all citizens.  It’s the single most important act a person can take to ensure that his or her voice is taken into account when deciding on representation or leadership in government.”

Last Friday, the ACLU alleged that Wisconsin law violates the Fourteenth Amendment and Section 2 of the VRA—the Act gutted by Paul Ryan’s inaction. In April, The Nation estimated Wisconsin’s Voter ID law could stop 300,000 residents from voting.

Solen notes that, “adding additional difficulties to obtain proper identification infringes on this right, and only serves to silence the voices of those that are not able to easily obtain additional identification.”

How was Wisconsin able to enact a Voter ID law that silences voters?

It’s an excellent question that leads right back to Paul Ryan who, once again, demonstrates he can’t take responsibility for anything.

In February, Paul Ryan stated to the Congressional Black Caucus that he supported the bipartisan Voting Rights Act introduced by fellow GOP Wisconsinite Rep. James Sensenbrenner. The proposal would have updated the Act that was gutted by a 2013 Supreme Court decision.

Rep.  Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) stated, “He said it right in front of everybody — he said he supports the [Jim] Sensenbrenner bill.”  Somebody said to Paul Ryan, “Well, why don’t you tell your committee chair [Goodlatte] to [take action]?”

Paul Ryan’s response should not surprise anyone: “Look, I can’t do that.”

Of course, Paul Ryan had a convenient excuse. He said he wanted to ensure proper “order” in the House.  He then kicked the ball back to the House Judiciary Committee. The Chair thinks the VRA is unnecessary.  It’s doubtful any action will be taken this year, which could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters across the country.

The Speaker’s inaction may have allowed Wisconsin officials to pounce on his failure to act by enacting one of the harshest voter ID laws in the country. They cite concern about voter fraud, which is baseless.  Between 2002 and 2005, only 40 voters were indicted or plead guilty to voter fraud—roughly .00000013%.

Paul Ryan’s inaction led—either directly or indirectly—to the predicament Wisconsin voters face today. This same inaction characterizes Paul Ryan’s continued snub of Ryan Solen’s offer to debate in two months after the Wisconsin primary.

The general election is in 36 days. Paul Ryan’s constituents have a right to know the positions of their representative. The only decision Paul Ryan has made is that he plans to spend the entire month of October fundraising for GOP House candidate in other districts.

Ryan Solen is right when he says, “this country watched as you promoted, and took part in, stopping progress on the simplest of legislation while cultivating a persona of being the nice-guy.”

Paul Ryan has also cultivated the persona of doing something for his constituents.  The persona is not the reality.  He never says what he means or means what he says.

About Ryan Solen

Ryan Solen is an Army veteran of the war in Iraq and is seeking to represent Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. He is a Digital Forensic Specialist and Computer Security Analyst. He is a married father of four and enjoys reading, writing, doing karate with his family, and relieves stress with his vintage Lego collection.

He is the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s Nominee to run for the U.S. House of Representatives to replace Paul Ryan. For more information, please visit www.solenforcongress.com.

Committee to Elect Ryan Solen for Congress

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.