Calling upon all Americans who cherish democracy to support the Mexican people in their magnificent struggle for a recount. No more stolen presidential elections anywhere.

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As Mexicans by the millions stay in the streets for weeks doesn't it seem as if we Americans should be helping them achieve the transparent elections process every democracy must have? If we are willing to spend millions on a war for democracy overseas, are we also willing to make a few phone calls in its defense for a good neighbor? A stable Mexico, with popular confidence in their government and elections system, will be much more likely to produce a quiet border.


An open letter to the American People,

For American citizens who truly believe in the fundamental virtue of democracy the sight of millions of people demanding a recount and the official elections board trying to deny it to them must be unsettling. As Mexico goes through the growing pains of a 10 year old democracy one of the first things that must be established is trust. How much can a recount of all the votes cost? A pittance when valued against loss of faith in government! How can the Mexican elections officials falter for even a moment when so many millions want a recount?

In this historic moment, and without bombs, Americans can demonstrate our strong belief in the institution of democracy, and our willingness to exert ourselves in it's defense. In the name of all we hold dear, I ask all Americans to call the office of the United States Ambassador to Mexico and the Mexican Consulate to add your voice to the millions clamoring for a full recount in Mexico's presidential election. The Elections Court in Mexico City will make their decision by Sept. 6th, so call soon.

Please call the following and firmly support transparency and a full recount. Don't accept it if they say they can't take a position. If your call doesn't go through dig for more numbers.

- The US Dept. of State, Mexican Affairs Office at (202)-647-9894
- The Mexican consulate in Washington DC at (202)-736-1000
- You might also call the consulate in your own state - http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm
- The Organization of American States, Director for the promotion of Democracy, Elizabeth Spehar (202)-458-3270 Also ask for the Department for the Promotion of Governance and the Department of Crisis Prevention and Special Missions
- The United Nations Department of Political Affairs, Electoral Assistance Div., Exec officer Scott Smith 917-367-3381 or Armando Martinez 917-367-3256
- The United Nations Development program/Democracy Fund 212-963-3437
- The main UN # is (212)-963-1234

The following organizations need to take a position on the practice of Democracy, the proudest birth right of any American. Ask them to publicly support a full recount. If you believe that Democracy is a fundamental American value, don't take "no" for an answer. Over 50% of their membership is of Mexican origin and they care about democracy or they shouldn't be here.

- League of United Latin American Citizens 202-833-6130 Ask to leave a message with Director B rent Wilkes.
- The National Council of La Raza Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation (202)-785-1670

Mobilize as many others as you can to help create a "North of the Border" buzz. Help get the word out to the troops fighting for democracy overseas, Canadians, concerned churches and everywhere else you can think of. This is a crisis moment for Democracy and anyone who has been through the last two presidential elections here should know it. Let's see how much people power we can exert on the international stage in support of democracy.

Mexico is showing us what Democracy looks like, but democracy doesn't have to be in the streets. If we are smart we will succeed in getting it off the streets.

If we do not act it may demonstrate that our own democracy is so weak that Americans will not even take a moment to pick up their phones to defend it in a crisis moment, even for our neighbors. In truth, are we prepared to defend it here at home the next time we have a presidential election?


George Ripley

From the US Department of State web site: Democracy Building in the Americas http://www.state.gov/p/wha/

Secretary Rice: "We want a true democratic hemisphere in which people have the means and the ability to express themselves and to freely associate and to get together in nongovernmental institutions and to press their cause and to hold their governments accountable. So we want real democracy in this hemisphere, where democracy is really working."

US State Department Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Mission: We are working with our partners in the Americas to generate broad-based growth through freer trade and sound economic policies; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.


Articles on the subject of Mexico's presidential election:
http://www.oas.org/main/main.asp?slang=e&slink=http://www.oas.org/newscli ps

http://www.gregpalast.com/we-dont-need-no-stinkin-recount

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/080606x.shtml

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/newssearch?sb=-1&st=obrador&

Authors Website: www.vote.org

Authors Bio:
Democracy is the pre-eminent value of all Americans, our cherished birthright. My work is to help unite the electoral reform movement into a congruent platform which we can push forward as a nation.