I'm Confused

[WVRICK13]

We have many situations where the public is outraged by the actions of the Republicans they elected because they feared Socialist Democrats, i.e., Wisconsin. Just what did they think would happen? The thing that confuses me most is that the idiots in this country will keep electing Republicans. If we Democrats don't get a message and stick to it we are doomed.

[BeFree]

1. First things first

And it is something that leaders don't even want you too discuss.

The vote count has been monopolized and corporatized.

One private company is entrusted with counting 80% of the votes in the US elections.
One private company. How in the hell did we let that happen?

[WVRICK13]

3. So True

How can we fix this problem?

[BeFree]

5. How?

Grassroots. Every person has to tell their 'officials' they are not happy with how their vote is counted.

Problem is, the officials love the computer counts. It absolves them of nearly all responsibility.
There have been huge screwups and the officials just say: it was the machines fault, don't look at us.

For a talking point, once you have the officials listening, is bring up the fact that there is no proper audit of the machined counts. If we are going to be using these machines, there needs to be a proper audit/accounting of the votes.

Ask them what audit or double check of the vote now exists. Usually the state laws describe the method and in most states, the experts agree, the audits lack meaning.

The past grassroots actions have been very successful. Nearly all the non-paper vote counting machines have been outlawed. It is amazing, really, when you consider that in 2004 nearly half the votes were counted by no-paper methods. And because of citizen complaints those machines have been done away with.

[liberal N proud]

2. Republicans own the propaganda machine

Otherwise known as the TV Networks.

Liberal Media is a myth concocted by the right wing to sneak the attacks under the radar until it is too late. It may very well be too late.

[WVRICK13]

4. How Can We Get The Public

to pay attention to votes and actions, not propaganda? Until people see the facts we will keep repeating this spiral into feudalism.

[KharmaTrain]

6. A Country Of Selfish...

The rushpublican 25-30% will always show up to vote. This was especially the case last year when all one heard from the corporate media was how badly things were for Democrats (that led many Democrats to run for cover) and depressed Democratic turn out. The centrist and corportist policies of this administration also turned off many (as we see right here on DU) and surely had an effect as well.

To answer your question..this country is all about "me"...has been for the past 40 years. People want everything but don't feel they have to pay for it. They're entitled to whatever they want and the rushpublican party has catered to this mindset and added some convenient scapegoats and strawmen. It's an ideal world...you are never held responsible or accountable and when you screw things up you blame it on others. It's worked so well we have a large portion of the electorate that gladly votes against its own best interests.