While many voters breathed a great sigh of relief after November's clear repudiation of the Republican strategies and policies, their complacency is quite dangerously premature. Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, the Democrats are not necessarily tuned in or responsive to the urgent need for meaningful election reform. There are a number of proposals out there that will be introduced very soon. But it is far from clear that any of them will do the trick to restore safe, accurate and transparent elections, despite the sponsors' claims. The August Zogby poll commissioned by election law attorney Paul Lehto revealed that 92% want the "right to view vote counting and obtain information about vote counting" http://wwwzogby.com/News/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1163 This is a startling and overwhelming majority of Americans. But, while our elected officials are supposed to reflect our views, they simply will not do it without a tremendous amount of prodding from their constituents.
As Susan Brownmiller writes in My Soul Looks Back in Wonder, p.161
"Change in this country comes from people's movements. It doesn't come from electoral politics or legislation. It starts with very special people who declare themselves soldiers in an unpaid volunteer army of the moral, knowing they can really make change."
This is the challenge that we face. Will people fight their own feelings of helplessness and apathy and step forward and mount a sustained effort to force change from the bottom up? We must demand accountability from our government. Otherwise, we are a sad excuse for a democracy. The Salt Lake Tribune quoted a native of Salt Lake City, who is interning in Washington this semester and who participated in the rally: "There's nothing more patriotic than coming out and voicing your opinion." http://www.sltrib.com/ci_5102265 I couldn't agree more.
Won't you join us?
Three "Quick Pick" actions for people ready to stand up and be counted:
Joan Brunwasser is a co-founder of Citizens for Election Reform (CER) which exists for the sole purpose of raising the public awareness of the critical need for election reform. We aim to restore fair, accurate, transparent, secure elections where votes are cast in private and counted in public. Electronic (computerized) voting systems are simply antithetical to democratic principles.
CER set up a lending library to achieve the widespread distribution of the DVD Invisible Ballots: A temptation for electronic vote fraud. Within eighteen months, the project had distributed over 3200 copies across the country and beyond. CER now concentrates on group showings, OpEd pieces, articles, reviews, interviews, discussion sessions, networking, conferences, anything that promotes awareness of this critical problem. Joan has been Election Integrity Editor for OpEdNews since December, 2005.
Great article, Joan. I love the way you write. I think you and Bernie (Ed. note: Bernie Ellis, the organizer of the 2005 Nashville conference) are kindred souls in the way you write.
Thanks for the ETERNAL VIGILANCE mention.
David Earnhardt, "Eternal Vigilance"
by
Joan Brunwasser (139 articles, 3422 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 597 comments)
on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 11:00:34 PM
Dear Joni:
The article below is great; I envy the clarity and economy of your writing. If you're ever in the mood to quote Jewish and other sources on the reasons to never desist seeking the change that would make human existence worth the risk of creation I'd be happy to run a few by.
LL
by
Joan Brunwasser (139 articles, 3422 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 597 comments)
on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 6:38:57 AM
Well said, as always. I like your reference to Tutu and your statement that it is important to enjoy life to its fullest even if you are "on a mission."
LH, IL
by
Joan Brunwasser (139 articles, 3422 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 597 comments)
on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 7:40:37 AM
This book was my wakeup call. I don't even remember how I stumbled across it, but after reading it, I was consumed with the desire and need to know more. Prior to that I was mostly apolitical and just plain fed up with the whole mess. I truly do credit this book for bringing me out of my malaise and encouraging me to dip my toe back into various waters.
by
Mark Petersen (9 articles, 73 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 50 comments)
on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 9:08:40 AM
it has that effect on people. i liken it to a nightmare you can't wake up from. i'm not exaggerating (something i'm prone to do) when i saw that it caused me a LOT of lost sleep.
Joan B.
by
Joan Brunwasser (139 articles, 3422 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 597 comments)
on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 2:45:36 PM
7 comments
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