May I suggest we start writing Letters to the Editor?

[Pacifist Patriot]

Here are two that have been sent to a couple of Florida papers

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ONE

On January 6 those who tuned in to C-SPAN witnessed something that has only happened three times in American history. Rep. Tubbs-Jones and Sen. Boxer interrupted congressional acceptance of the electoral votes by objecting to the Ohio slate of electors based on evidence of massive voting irregularities forcing the two houses to meet separately for debate. Courageous Democrats spoke on behalf of voting rights for all citizens regardless of race, political party, etc... They presented accounts of flaws in a system unable to assure fair and transparent elections. They pointed out this issue is not about President Bush or Senator Kerry, but about ensuring voters’ rights are protected.

Ironically, despite their attempts at a revote in WA, Republicans framed the contest as a “conspiracy theory” interfering with the business of Congress. Furthermore, Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio’s Secretary of State, functioned as both the head of Ohio’s election activity and co-chaired Bush/Cheney ’04 Ohio, yet Republicans ignored the obvious conflict of interest. The House Judicial Committee Minority Staff Report recently documented Blackwell’s illegal activities in this election.

One Senator said of election reform, “It’s a shame we’re wasting our time on this today.” What is shameful is any official sworn to uphold and defend our Constitution brushing aside voters’ rights as inconsequential. We cannot claim to be a great democracy if we remain ignorant and complacent about our voting rights. 100% of our voters should have complete confidence in the process and outcome, yet we failed them in both 2000 and 2004.

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TWO

I cannot even begin to describe how appalled I am by our current slate of elected officials in both the House and Senate. The protest against the Ohio voting irregularities is not 'misguided', 'full of wild accusations', 'equal to a terrorist attack' or designed to put someone other than George Bush in the White House. He'll be our president for a second term. We get that.

The protest is about ensuring that every vote is counted accurately and every citizen who wishes to vote is given a fair chance. The events in Ohio on November 2nd and beyond are plainly documented and Mr. Blackwell's actions and words are out there for all who wish to see.

I deeply resent Representative Keller telling me to 'get over it'. As the proud citizen of a democracy, I have a vested interest in assuring my vote and the votes of each and every one of my fellow Americans who went to the polls on November 2nd was counted and counted accurately. He may not lose any sleep over the fact that thousands of his constituents and Americans in all states have lost faith in 'the system', but I'm saddened and not a little bit frightened. Representative Keller can hear me loud and clear. I will never get over anything that threatens the credibility and the viability of my democratic government. The fact that he can calls into question why he's even in office.

As an added bit of irony, it's quite amusing to see the Republicans in Washington DC call the Democrats sore losers while they wage legal warfare in Washington state over the governor's election there. I wonder if Rep. Keller has the same advice for his colleagues out west.

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Elected officials at all levels DO review the letters to the editor and who knows. We may reach more of the ignorant masses. ;)