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January 14, 2008 at 08:06:56

South Carolina Elections Are UNCONSTITUTIONAL!?!

by Mark A. Adams JD/MBA     Page 4 of 10 page(s)

www.opednews.com

 
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I’m sure that most people who watched it believe that they now know all of the important information about dirty politics in South Carolina, but somehow, NOW made no mention at all that South Carolina’s election would be conducted on touch screen computers. Was it sloppy journalism or smoke and mirrors to give the illusion that the press is playing its role of informing the public? I guess that they were just too busy to have someone spend an hour to find out the truth and report it. Will they NOW? Why don’t you ask them?

I hope that you realize that our corporate media and our government media have been playing along with the charade of the Neo-cons for years. They repeat the government’s lies that the consumer price index is only going up 3% a year when the price of milk, bread, eggs, and many other basic foods have nearly doubled in the last few years. They repeat the lies about the crime rate being the lowest in 30 years when we all know that is just absurd, at least those of us who are over 40.

So, what can you do? First, you need to understand what our Founders knew. You need to demand that your fundamental rights are respected. You need to remind the powers that be that all power is inherent in the people. You need to act now before more suffer, before the grip of those in power grows more oppressive. You need to act now to demand that your peaceful right to remove bad leaders is respected, preserved, and restored. Honest elections are the only way to avoid the violence and suffering that come with tyranny, oppression, and eventual revolution.

Ask yourself, what do you think Martin Luther King and those who worked for years in the civil rights movement would do? Would they stand by and let the fundamental right to equal treatment under the law and at the polls be taken away by a regime that wants to count their votes in secret? I think that Dr. King would be leading the effort to demand public vote counting. Some of his disciples are still around, but I haven’t heard their voices on this issue yet.

What will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton do? Will they call for South Carolina to follow its Constitution and count the votes in the open for all to see? I know that they have the power to reach millions. I have seen their rallies in Jena, Louisiana, and I have joined in their rally for justice for Martin Anderson in Tallahassee, Florida. Will these civil rights leaders call for action to protect our rights to have our votes counted in the open? I hope so. Let’s ask them.

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Sam Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere, Nathan Hale, and thousands of other brave Americans stood against the most powerful nation on Earth to fight tyranny and give us the opportunity to govern ourselves. Do you think that they would stand by and let our votes get counted in secret? I don’t think so. I think that they would take up arms if our leaders refused to restore public vote counts.

Anyone who has thought about this for a few minutes realizes that we can restore election integrity overnight. The vote can be cast on paper, placed in a ballot box in public view in each precinct, and counted in public in the precinct when the polls close. This can be done immediately with little need to add any more poll workers and with great savings on expensive, unreliable, and untrustworthy voting machines.

Those who refuse to restore public vote counting should be removed from power. Their effort to violate our fundamental right is obvious. Those who are running for office should demand an immediate restoration of public vote counts. Those who do not act now do not deserve your trust or your support.

The leadership of the two parties which have actively participated in taking away our rights and endangering our future deserve no support. It’s time for change in Washington, in South Carolina, in state and local governments throughout our country, and in the leadership of the parties from the national level to the state and local levels. As Lee Iacocca said in his new book, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone," "It’s time to throw the bums out!"

It’s time to throw out their secret vote counting computers, too. Secret vote counting was good for Hitler and Stalin, but it’s not good enough for me, and I hope that it’s not good enough for you either! It’s time to stop conducting elections on computers that count our votes in secret! It’s time to take our country back!

Here is how you can help. Call and email the campaigns of those leaders listed below who should and could take action on this issue. Ask them to demand that South Carolina conduct its election in a manner which is Constitutional, where the votes are counted in the open rather than in secret on a computer.

Help spread the word. Email this to your contacts. Print this out, and mail it or give it to those who are not online. Take action now to preserve our right to control our government. In case enough people do not step up and demand change, help me conduct an exit poll and help make sure that any tampering is exposed. Please go to www.VoteCount2008.org to help now.

Thank you for your time, attention, and effort to help preserve our right to control our government. The contact information follows for the Presidential Candidates and the leaders who might take a stand to protect our democracy.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

http://www.dennis4president.com/home/

http://www.dennis4president.com/contact/

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Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
Stop Counting Our Votes in Secret!!! Restore Election Integrity with Hand Counted Paper Ballots Now!!!

Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers

Mark A. Adams earned his BA in business administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics at the University of South Florida. He earned his law degree and his master of business administration at the University of Florida where he also worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics Department. Mark practiced law in Florida. In 2006, Mark represented Max Linn, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida, in successful lawsuits brought against the media to require his inclusion in the Gubernatorial debates. Mark also represented John Russell, Clint Curtis, Frank Gonzalez, and others in contesting the official results of the 2006 elections in Florida state court and before the U.S. House of Representatives. Mark has been involved in the judicial reform movement since 2003, the media reform movement since 2004, and the election reform movement since 2006. Before those years, he believed that judges followed the law, that our media told us the truth, and that our votes were counted. Beliefs that most of us once held and that many still hold on to. Unfortunately, Mark, like many of us, learned that these beliefs were no longer true. However, Mark believes that we can counteract the forces which have destroyed these institutions if we face reality and take action before it is too late. Mark asks that you please remember that the American dream will die and our children will suffer if the people do not know what their government leaders are doing, if the people are not able to vote ineffective or corrupt leaders out of office, or if judges can ignore the law and the facts with no repercussions!

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15 comments

Andi Novick
Northeast Citizens for Responsible Media
www.re-media.org

andi novickAndi Novick
Northeast Citizens for Responsible Media
www.re-media.org

UNCONSITUTIONALLY UNCOUNTED

This is an excellent piece.  We all know elections counted in secret is the essence of anti-american and can't possibly be consitutional, but Mark's given us the smoking gun of unconstitutional.  If the SC constitution says - no secret vote counting- what more could one want as proof that we've entered a very dark period in which time and time again the constitution is treated with the same respect as has been shown the Koran by some of our representatives in Iraq. 

andi

by andi novick (52 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 14 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 12:54:10 PM
 


Jim Freeman's op-ed pieces and commentaries have appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, International Herald-Tribune, CNN, The New York Review, The Jon Stewart Daily Show and a number of magazines.
Jim FreemanJim Freeman's op-ed pieces and commentaries have appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, International Herald-Tribune, CNN, The New York Review, The Jon Stewart Daily Show and a number of magazines.

While wondering why there are not comments on

such an explosive accusation, I waded through the 2 1/2 pages of side issues before getting to the crux of 'unconstitutional.'

Interesting stuff Mark, but take a lead from journalism and get to the point FIRST and then work backward to detail.

Not many are willing to search for the subject matter. 

by Jim Freeman (108 articles, 51 quicklinks, 215 diaries, 382 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 12:58:55 PM
 


Nobody special.
WatchingNobody special.

Nice try but not quite

http://www.scstatehouse.net/scconstitution/a01.htm

 

Here is Article I of the South Carolina constitution. Nowhere in it does it say votes must not be counted in secret.  

by Watching (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 313 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:13:48 PM
 


Nobody special.
WatchingNobody special.

I don't know why

but the message board made a broken link. Do not click on the word 'Here'. Click on the actual link.

by Watching (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 313 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:14:58 PM
 


Nobody special.
WatchingNobody special.

It broke the link, too

http://www.scstatehouse.net/scconstitution/a01.htm

by Watching (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 313 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:17:42 PM
 


 I like to watch. I am not a wage slave.
B York I like to watch. I am not a wage slave.

secret vote counting

 

Article II Section 1 says just exactly what the author of this post says it says.

Check it out 

by B York (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:29:20 PM
 


10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,
Gallaher10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,

I agree with Jim

You need to get to the point on at least the first page of a rant.

I had no idea as to your point, other than you believed something was unconstitutional but did not want us to know what was unconstitutional.

Sad to point out that the Republicans and Democrats don't even have to hold an "election" to pick who they want to run. It can be done in a smoke filled back room with large amounts of money changing hands. If you have joined a "party" you are the problem. Primary elections are not covered by the constitution, they are governed by the party.  Everyone knows that if you are not in a "party" you have no chance of winning or even being placed on a ballet so they join in with the corruption.

HA,HA, You really thought the public picked elected officials. They sure have you fooled.

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 607 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:16:03 PM
 


 I like to watch. I am not a wage slave.
B York I like to watch. I am not a wage slave.

Secret vote counting

 

I didn't read the whole article, but enough to get the gist of it.

I live here in South Carolina. While I keep a copy of the U.S. Constitution close at hand, sad to say, I haven't read the S.C. Constitution in years and didn't notice or think about the secret vote counting clause.

I expect soon to hear the Republican attorney general render an opinion arguing that the plain language of the Constitution doesn't really mean what it means. In the alternative, I expect some prominent local pol to be offering an ammendment in favor of secret vote counting.

I can't wait to hear those arguments.

by B York (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:23:46 PM
 


Mark A. Adams earned his BA in business administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics at the University of South Florida. He earned his law degree and his master of business administration at the University of Florida where he also worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics Department.

Mark practiced law in Florida. In 2006, Mark represented Max Linn, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida, in successful lawsuits brought against the media to re...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Mark AdamsMark A. Adams earned his BA in business administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics at the University of South Florida. He earned his law degree and his master of business administration at the University of Florida where he also worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics Department.

Mark practiced law in Florida. In 2006, Mark represented Max Linn, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida, in successful lawsuits brought against the media to re...

to see more of bio, click on member name

What's the problem with America?

What’s the problem with America? A few are demonstrated clearly in these comments.

Jim correctly points out that one of the problems is the lack of attention span. It seems almost helpful. Get to the point, as in only one?

Watching then demonstrates a startling lack of attention by not only missing the link to Article II, Section 1, but also by missing Article II entirely when he looks at the South Carolina Constitution. By the way, Article II is titled "Right of Suffrage" as in voting. Naturally, it’s also listed right after Article I in the table of contents. Watching is not really that watchful.

Gallaher then demonstrates that he is apathetic as well as unable to understand that counting votes in secret violates Article II, Section 1, of South Carolina’s Constitution which states, "the ballots shall not be counted in secret." He says, "I had no idea as to your point, other than you believed something was unconstitutional but did not want us to know what was unconstitutional."

He also attacks my article as a rant and implies that I’m a fool for thinking that voters should have a say in electing our leaders. He seems to be just fine with some sort of feudal form of control by those in power. "HA, HA," (sic) he says to you fools who care about elections.

Did I raise any other points in my article other than that South Carolina’s election system violates its Constitution? Did anyone get the point I raised about lack of competition in our educational system? How about the point that people who want to take and hold power engage in misinformation? How about the harm which flows the lack of power to control our government?

It seems curious that Jim, Watching, and Gallaher would really want to take their time to be so helpful. Oh, that’s right. Their comments were not helpful. Instead, they served to undermine and distract from the points which I raised. What were those points? Read the article and see. Open your mind to what the masters of illusion and distraction don’t want you to know.

By the way, there is a great commentary on the Brad Blog today where Brad points out how laughable the attacks are which have been made on him for daring to point out that counting votes in secret is no way to run a democracy. It’s here http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5542 I must warn you though. He makes more than one point, and he favors democracy over the illusion of it.

by Mark Adams (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 180 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 5:24:43 PM
 


None
brantlNone

Factual article, but get over yourself

Jim said nothing but that basically if you want your article read, get to the point that your headline makes quicker. Nothing but constructive criticism there, bud. Gallaher basically says the same thing. If you want to make an impression, this slow-motion punch isn't going to get it. Period.

by brantl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 23 comments) on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 2:53:38 PM
 


10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,
Gallaher10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,

I'm sure you were well meaning.

I'm  sure you are well meaning with your rant. The problem with your article is that it did not get to the point in the first or second paragraph. If you have not noticed there are thousands of articles written each day and not all can be read. Your title at least brought some interest for me to look closer at your allegation.

I have sat through many court cases where the person lost because they never got to the point. And reading this I understand why the courts demand a format for filling cases. You placed your argument before clearly stating the alleged constitutional problem.

The title of your article is "South Carolina Elections Are Unconstitutional" Then you don't say why you believe this until the second page. Rambling does not make your argument any more impressive or important. Get to the point. I don't want to feel like I'm reading an infomercial waiting for them to spill the grand price at the end only to think what a rip off.

Reading your article made me feel like I just wasted five minutes of my life that I could have been doing something, be it anything else. I'm not short of attention just short of patients. 90% of the time I only read the headline and the brief. I don't have the time or patients to hear everyone's problems with your government. They are far to vast and it would take hundreds of years to enumerate.

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 607 comments) on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 1:36:45 PM
 


None
brantlNone

Gallaher and Freeman are right...

You took way too long to get to your point. Don't ever try to write flyers, Mark, you'll cause pedestrian traffic jams.

by brantl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 23 comments) on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 2:46:29 PM
 


John is a family physician in a small Iowa rural community. He is happily married, the father of two children, and active in his Christian church. His hobbies include photography and tinkering with computers. His passions are philosophy, science, and the incredibly critical point in the space-time continuum that is Now.
John BoweryJohn is a family physician in a small Iowa rural community. He is happily married, the father of two children, and active in his Christian church. His hobbies include photography and tinkering with computers. His passions are philosophy, science, and the incredibly critical point in the space-time continuum that is Now.

Excellent point!

Although I have to agree with the criticism of your expository style, I think you have done a great service by discovering another serious flaw in our election system. Maybe you could write a summation that enumerates the main points with links to the full article? Thank you and keep up the good work defending our constitution!

by John Bowery (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 20 comments) on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 3:14:23 PM
 


Mark A. Adams earned his BA in business administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics at the University of South Florida. He earned his law degree and his master of business administration at the University of Florida where he also worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics Department.

Mark practiced law in Florida. In 2006, Mark represented Max Linn, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida, in successful lawsuits brought against the media to re...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Mark AdamsMark A. Adams earned his BA in business administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics at the University of South Florida. He earned his law degree and his master of business administration at the University of Florida where he also worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics Department.

Mark practiced law in Florida. In 2006, Mark represented Max Linn, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Florida, in successful lawsuits brought against the media to re...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Don't Miss This!

If you want to strike a real blow for election integrity, STEP INTO THE FRAY that I started in South Carolina. Help push for the legal action which could KILL SECRET VOTE COUNTING!!!

 

Read An Open Letter to Senator John Edwards: The Constitution Prohibits Secret Vote Counting! Will You Take Action? http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_mark_a___080117_an_open_letter_to_se.htm

 

Article II, § 1 of the Constitution of South Carolina states, "the ballots shall not be counted in secret." Computers count inside their case, with no oversight, just like they are told to do, unless of course, they malfunction or are hacked.  Can you see a computer count?

 

This is the election integrity jackpot, a Constitutional provision prohibiting counting votes in secret! No more need to refer to case law, evidence, or logic to argue against secret vote counting, at least in South Carolina.

 

Let’s focus our attention and effort where it can really do some good!!! Also, we need help in Florida to catch them again!!! Join the effort that I started. We need leaders, and we need volunteers in order to make this too big to ignore! Check out PROJECT VOTE COUNT and spread the word like Paul Revere!!!

 

STEP INTO THE FRAY WHEN YOU CAN DO THE MOST to save our country, to protect our freedom, to protect our right to elect our leaders, and to protect the future of our children and grandchildren! PLEASE HELP KEEP THE LIGHT OF LIBERTY BURNING! GO TO http://www.votecount2008.org/ and JOIN NOW!

by Mark Adams (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 180 comments) on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 3:11:23 PM
 

 

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