I'm joining the "why bother voting in 2006" craze.

[IdaBriggs]

The fix is in, so its frankly a waste of time. In fact, every time anyone from the Democratic party calls me for money, I am going to point out that I have no confidence in the electoral process (since the "how to hack an election" stuff is widely available on the net, and a bored seventh grader can do it), while the "paperless" thing makes voting integrity issues a joke. (And, to be fair, ballot box stuffing is also pretty darn easy!)

My candidate of choice for 2006 is going to be Snoopy. Or maybe Tweety Bird. I've got some time to make up my mind between now and then, and until / unless the Democratic leadership decides that MY VOTE MATTERS (as opposed to having it FIXED), I'm going to encourage everyone else to do the same -- even the Republicans.

In fact, now that I'm feeling a little bit righteous about the whole thing (are these "leader" type folks LISTENING?), I think I'm going to actively work to get an amendment to my state constitution where people can start selecting "NONE OF THE ABOVE" and if "NONE OF THE ABOVE" gets more than 50% of the vote, then NONE OF THE ABOVE CANDIDATES will be allowed to run in my state for that particular office for ten years.

Then I'm going to make sure my amendment passes by making sure some Diebold programmers are happy enough to ensure that it does.

Am I *REALLY* going to do these things? Who knows? But maybe if enough of us say it, THEY MIGHT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE!!!

:evilgrin:

[shadowknows69]

1. then you've resigned yourself to be a slave

whether the fix is in or not we must stand and try to be counted or they've already won.

[IdaBriggs]

11. I'm not a slave, nor have I resigned myself to being one.

I'm a pissed off American citizen who has watched the Democratic party LOSE even when THEY WIN. Then they all rip each other apart going "why didn't we win?" when anyone who pays attention can tell THEY DID.

35% approval ratings -- does anyone really believe this guy was REALLY elected in November? How stupid do we all look?

Sheesh. :eyes:

[LynneSin]

2. Sorry, I don't think so

Have fun with your lameass excuse for not voting.

Let the rest of us get back to working trying to make a difference. If our founding father's had given up ages ago we'd still be ruled by a Queen. Because they fought, I will continue to fight

[acmejack]

3. Right on!

No time for defeatism. We ARE taking our Country back, whether it be through the system or in spite of it. We must try the accepted approach (voting) first. We need the 50% who didn't vote to get off of their TV satiated asses and go to the polls first.

edit for lack of caffeine induced errata

[IdaBriggs]

6. Who can argue with a founding father's post?

But, out of curiosity, how many people (percentage wise) actually "fought" during the Revolutionary War? Obviously a bunch of the Colonists stayed loyal to the King, a bunch joined the rebellion, and a certain percentage probably did their best to ignore the whole thing.

Makes me wonder if a certain percentage of apathy is to be expected.

As for "trying to make a difference," we all have different agendas. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the attention of a bunch of folks who don't think fixed elections are that big of a deal -- threatening NOT TO VOTE (i.e. STRIKE) unless they make sure EVERY VOTE COUNTS is just one technique, and if it works, I'll jump on board.

[notadmblnd]

4. I think you should support Scooby

I'm already seeing bumper stickers.. WWSD what would Scooby Doo?

[LightningFlash]

5. Mrs Briggs, several states have already mandated VVPB....

We of the USA are finally winning on this issue...It may have taken a long time, or not, but VVPB is being mandated and required in all states.

Rush Holt's bill HR550 is being introduced, republicans and democrats alike this month to clean up elections once and for all.

Please read 2004 results & discussions to see what actions are being taken on the bill.

The truth of the matter is, there are millions fighting for verifiable elections and they are now winning this war.

[IdaBriggs]

7. Uh, I'm one of them, but I'm obviously not staying as up to date --

as I thought I was. Best head over to the 2004 forum the latest. Thanks for the update!

:)

[leftchick]

8. I hear ya Ida!

:(

[radwriter0555]

9. IF the DNC had ANY sense, they'd refuse to even run a Democratic candidate

since that would cause a HUGE uproar. It would turn everything on its ear.

[LightningFlash]

10. If the DINOs don't allow VVPB to be used in washington....

Then everyone will know where the DINOs loyalties lie, and lots of scum will be elected in Washington D.C.

Verified ballots is a state by state issue, not a countrywide, and god forbid it ever becomes federalized.

[blm]

20. I'd like to hear Dean raise a stink about this in some high profile way.

Election issues are the number one job of the DNC.

[SouthernDem2004]

12. Yes, lets all give up and let them win, that will teach them!

[Telly Savalas]

13. To really piss off the neocons, I'm gonna vote for Republicans in 2006!

[IdaBriggs]

14. That is what has happened, isn't it?

50% of the country didn't even bother voting. Why is that, I wonder? Those of us who care (and worked hard) watched as corrupt politics won the day. The folks who get paid to pay attention to this stuff are busy playing media games with their images, and AREN'T HELPING. How many folks are actually raising a fuss about this? (DISCLAIMER: I haven't been to the 2004 Results forum recently, and another post says good things are happening with this issue; I am replying to your post without being completely up to date, so take some of this with a grain of salt.) :)

[applegrove]

15. This message is funded by the same people who funded Nader

in the last election.

As you were.

[IdaBriggs]

17. Huh? Clarify, please.

Are you saying "As you were" meaning ME, or "As you were" meaning, "go back to business as usual?" Just double checking. The Nader folks are Very Nice People who really believe in their cause.

For myself, I am/was a Kerry supporter, and voted for Gore in 2004.

I am proud of the fact Michigan has now voted for the "real" Presidential winner twice in a row. :)

[applegrove]

19. It is just that it matters so much that we vote in 2006. It is so

important. It would serve the end game of the neocons to wear you down so much that you become apathetic. The manipulators use that to control the people they want to control. Making people feel powerless is how Saddam Hussein ruled for so long. And all the others like him.

Was sort of a tongue in check way of saying "don't fall for it!". Whenever I come across someone at the DU who is exhausted and about to give up I tell them to pace themselves. To take a break now. Because we will need everyone in fighting form come election time.

COURAGE!

:hi:

Why isn't the Conyers petition close to 500,000 already? Amazing!

[applegrove]

21. Nader was funded in the last election partially by Conservatives.

They needed every single vote to go against democrats. Just like in 2000. Nader took the money and said "they are all the same". They are not all the same.

It matters a great deal who and that you vote in the 2006 election.

[leesa]

16. Vote. If nothing else, do it just to spite them.

Your attitude is what allowed them to steal the last several elections.

[IdaBriggs]

18. My "attitude" is NOT what allowed them to steal the last several elections

because it was ELECTION FRAUD that did it, and a whole bunch of people who wouldn't FIGHT IT (meaning the quote unquote Democratic leadership). I did my share and then some, while (with the exception of John Conyers and Barbara Boxer) DID NOTHING.

[DrGonzoLives]

22. Sure, that'll work

Ensure more Republicans get in power. That will advance the cause of election reform.

Oh, wait, THE FIX IN THE EVIL GOP WILL WIN 4EVER!!111!

Lame. Very lame.