Rules for absentee voting allow many people to vote early so they can avoid the long lines on voting day.

Those who are 65 or older, the disabled, those who care for the disabled, those away on vacation, those whose jobs make it impossible for them to vote in person and others are now eligible to vote early.

The new photo ID rules that discourage voting in South Carolina by the elderly, the disabled, students and others are not in effect now. You can vote using your voter registration card only, or just your driver’s license if you prefer.

It is important to vote for President Obama.

Social Security and Medicare benefits are at stake. Republicans believe in the survival of the fittest and that Social Security and Medicare are Ponzi schemes. Not true.

Democrats believe people should work and pay for disability, old age and health insurance so they will not be burdens on their children or the state when they become old or disabled. President Obama has extended the life of Medicare by signing the Affordable Care Act into law.

There are many other reasons to re-elect President Obama: GM and Chrysler are alive, and Osama bin Laden is not. People are better off now than they were when the Republicans ran the country’s finances off the road.

Republicans had control of the presidency, the House and Senate in 2001 and 2003, when they created two wars of choice, prescription drug coverage and two Bush tax cuts with no way to pay for them.

Instead of paying for these debts they incurred, Republicans chose to borrow from the Social Security Trust Fund and from China.

Republicans cannot be allowed to be in control of our nation again.

Marie Vevik

Cayce