Help needed with Letter to the Editor!

[Pacifist Patriot]

I've got to get the word count down and could use another set of eyes or twenty for spelling, grammar, etc. Ideas?

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On January 6, 2005 we witnessed history. At least those of us who tuned in to C-SPAN witnessed something that has only happened three times in American politics. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Sen. Barbara Boxer interrupted the congressional acceptance of the electoral votes in the 2004 presidential election with an objection to the Ohio slate of electors based on evidence of massive voting irregularities in that state.

This action forced the two houses to meet separately for debate. Courageous Democrats rose to speak on behalf of the voting rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, gender or political party. They presented indisputable accounts of problems in a system that prevents us from holding fair and transparent elections. They pointed out this issue is not about President Bush or Senator Kerry, but about the stunning flaws experienced on November 2, 2004.

Congressional Republicans argued against preserving or improving our democracy. Ironically, they framed their rebuttal in terms of “sore losers” despite their on-going attempt to gain the Governor’s mansion in the state of Washington through a re-vote request. They supported the actions of Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio’s Secretary of State, who functioned as both the head of Ohio’s election activity and co-chaired Bush/Cheney ’04 Ohio. Kenneth Blackwell’s illegal activities with respect to the election have been well-documented by the House of Representative’s Judicial Committee Minority Staff Report and pointed out by several senators in debate.

As for election reform, in the words of one Republican Senator, “It’s a shame we’re wasting our time on this today.” How can any official sworn to uphold and defend our Constitution have the nerve to brush aside voters’ rights as inconsequential? Shame on him and shame on anyone who considers election scrutiny a non-issue. We cannot rightly claim title to the greatest democracy if we remain ignorant and complacent with respect to ensuring 100% of our voters have complete confidence in the process and the outcome.

[mycatforpresident]

1. You didn't give the WC requirement, but

here are some ideas.

Good letter.

On January 6, 2005 CSPAN viewers witnessed history previously seen only three times in American politics. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Sen. Barbara Boxer interrupted the congressional acceptance of the electoral votes in the 2004 presidential election with an objection to the Ohio slate of electors based on evidence of massive voting irregularities in that state.

This action forced the two houses to meet separately for debate. Courageous Democrats rose to speak on behalf of the voting rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, gender or political party. They presented indisputable accounts of problems in a system that prevents us from holding fair and transparent elections. They pointed out this issue is not about President Bush or Senator Kerry, but about the stunning flaws experienced on November 2, 2004.

Congressional Republicans argued against preserving or improving our democracy. Ironically, despite their own attempts at a revote in WA, they framed the contest as a “conspiracy theory” that interfered with the business of Congress. Further, Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio’s Secretary of State, functioned as both the head of Ohio’s election activity and co-chaired Bush/Cheney ’04 Ohio, yet Republicans ignored the obvious conflict of interest. Blackwell’s illegal activities in this election have been well documented by the House of Representative’s Judicial Committee Minority Staff Report.

As for election reform, in the words of one Republican Senator, “It’s a shame we’re wasting our time on this today.” What is shameful is when any official sworn to uphold and defend our Constitution brushes aside voters’ rights as inconsequential. We cannot rightly claim title to the greatest democracy if we remain ignorant and complacent about our voting rights. 100% of our voters should have complete confidence in the process and the outcome, yet we failed them in 2000 and again in 2004.