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
 

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, 222 diaries, 384 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 12:58:55 PM
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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, 89 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:29:20 PM
 

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, 608 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:16:03 PM
 

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, 89 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:23:46 PM
 

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 (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 181 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 5:24:43 PM
 

Democracy

Outstanding, well researched, thought provoking article, written in excellent English prose.  It is no wonder that ditto heads have trouble reading it.  As a lawyer, please explain how a citizen goes about challenging such obvious desregard for the rule of law.  Where does one start?

by mainehonza (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 5:47:05 PM
 

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
 

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, 608 comments) on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 1:36:45 PM
 

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
 

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
 

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 (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 181 comments) on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 3:11:23 PM