Arkansas Blog

How is it possible, after so many years filled with dangling chads, voter sign-up, sign-down, legal wrangling, etc...how is it possible that we have not demanded a simpler, transparent way to vote and account for accurate voting?

Are we that lazy and apathetic that we can not get something in place that most states and voters can agree upon?

At a time when we are spending Billions to bail out this financial institution and that nation, how is it possible that we are not spending the time and money to get this right?

Perhaps this potentially long recession will force us to take the steps that we know must pass in order to walk-the-walk in making a more efficient and effective voting system and encourage better folks to run for office. It seems like the quality of politicians have dropped, consistently for decades and voting pro-activity and accountabilty might help.

And this says it all:
"A five-year investigation by the Bush administration resulted in the convictions of only 26 voters found guilty of voting more than once, registration fraud, or ineligible voting."
Twenty-six convictions after a FIVE YEAR investigation.
There are always going to be glitches, the great majority of them innocent mistakes, no matter what system is employed. But Republican operatives are using those mistakes and/or oversights to commit their own voter fraud.
In my case, there have been numerous times when I could have denied the right to vote based on Republican criteria. I didn't report my name change to voter registration for several years although I made the change on my driver's license and Social Security card within months after marrying. In addition, my mailing address has been changed a minimum of five times -- post office and 911 address reordering -- although I have lived on the same property through all those changes. I reported none of these in a especially timely manner either. A little too casual about the situation? Maybe so, but I didn't think it mattered. I knew I still lived here.
In any case, yes, I know some fraudulent practices occur. On a small local scale, it may make a difference. On the national level? Or even state level? I don't think so. Just imagine the number of people needed to carry out such a plan. Collusion on that scale simply can't be hidden.
We don't now have machine politics on the national scene, at least not in the manner Republicans are trying to imply. However, it does appear that Republicans are trying to bring that to pass in their favor.

Via Dallas Morning News (clicky) the new GOP ad of the day.

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/10/gop-ad-says-us-in-a-storm-obam.html

I know the GOP can't hardly find an American musician/band who will allow team McCain to use their music, but damn, why do they always go for the simulated soundtrack sounds from Jaws or Friday the thirteenth?

I must echo DBI on this one. Democrats MUST win by a landslide for the election to count.

For way too long we have allowed a noisy, insidious group to suppress American voters, screw up
results and created utter confusion. If you think Republicans run efficient campaigns look at the
2006 results up in Benton County. Several areas had 140% voter turnout.

ES,
It took a break or two before I returned to your posted link. Isn't it grand. Republicans create the
STORM OF THE CENTURY and now claim only one of their OWN can navigate it. I loved the changing sea image but I think it says more about the fear of Republics than it says about Obama.

Meanwhile, The Morning News cartoonist, Harville, also employs the ocean in his metaphor about a sinking McRage.

Click bluename