mybiddness
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posted on November 12, 2000 11:34:49 PM new
In his quest to become President Mr. Gore has opened a Pandora's box that will never again be closed. As he continues to fuel the protest of real or perceived wrongs in the voting precints of his choosing, I predict that this will escalate into a full blown microscopic look at the entire voting process in all states - and for both parties. Florida is just the tip of the iceburg.
This isn't entirely a bad thing IMO - although I do find it suspect that Gore has been involved in politics for 24 years and has apparently never been privy to or concerned about the voting "irregularities" before.
With the Democrats painting the Republicans with the "bad" brush - it's only a matter of time before Republicans will begin to air some of the Democrat's dirty laundry to offset their own.
What effect will this have on our nation? Do you think that all the world wide bad press will eventually help us to become what we have always claimed to be? Or, will it lead to fighting and more division?
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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jamesoblivion
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posted on November 12, 2000 11:39:45 PM new
I think our democracy -- excuse me, Constitutional republic, I mean  -- is stronger than any one or two men and their little problems. I'm sure we all noticed that in the past week everyone has managed to get up in the morning, go to work, relax and pretty much live just as always. No rioting or meltdown in sight. 
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mybiddness
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posted on November 12, 2000 11:56:18 PM new
James My question isn't whether it will destroy us in any way - I'm sure it won't. But, will it change the way we vote? Will we have the same behind the scenes underhanded tactics going on in future elections as we've had in the past? Or will being forced to look at the dirt force us to clean up our act?
BTW, I'm betting it won't change a thing - 'cept a few more looks over the shoulder to make sure no one's looking.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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krs
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posted on November 13, 2000 12:21:41 AM new
There's alot of reading that you could do to get an idea of how very deeply the party political system in the country has been subverted over the last century by members of both of the major parties, and by the party system itself. It's dirty and has been, and it's so big that very few with any sway will speak against it.
If there's one thing about Florida that stands out it's that in the desperation of the closeness of the race the dark dirty corners are being made more light.
It'll blow over as soon as there is a result, and the country will continue along enjoying the benefit while complaining of the detriment as it alwas has.
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mybiddness
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posted on November 13, 2000 12:27:25 AM new
Krs I couldn't (and didn't) say it better myself.
It's nice to find something we agree on.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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abingdoncomputers
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posted on November 13, 2000 06:23:22 AM new
I believe that when this mess is sorted out that we will see a major overhaul of the voting process (the physical way that we actually cast our votes). We live in a digital world now and our polling equipment needs to be brought up to date.
I think we'll see a standard touch-screen type of system in every precinct in every state. The votes will be tallied in (almost) real-time and we will know the winner within a short period of time after the polls have closed.
Of course the big obstacle will be cost. But I think the States and the Federal Government will share the costs and it will happen within 5 years.
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enchanted
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posted on November 13, 2000 06:35:55 AM new
I do hope they move to a new method of marking a ballot whether electronic or otherwise. This is looking pretty ridiculous for an election in the year 2000 when we're supposedly pretty technological.
enchanted
[email protected]
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biff
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posted on November 13, 2000 07:27:36 AM new
abingdoncomputers,
It wouldn't be so cost extensive if schools, universities and libraries were closed on election day and we made use of the huge banks of computers already sitting there.
There should be a national standard for national elections. State and local elections could continue to be governed by the state.
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Meya
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posted on November 13, 2000 07:41:06 AM new
Yep, there needs to be a standardized way of voting in Federal Elections. It doesn't matter which side you happen to be on, you can't ignore the rediculous way this has gone. Folks holding ballots up the light to count them, I mean come on. The more hands that these ballots go through, and the longer this is strung out, the more potential for problems.
We've gone into the world of the bizarre now, and it is just foolish.
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abingdoncomputers
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posted on November 13, 2000 07:59:21 AM new
There should be a national standard for national elections. State and local elections could continue to be governed by the state.
Right on the money...
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krs
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posted on November 13, 2000 08:05:48 AM new
http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/US_election_race/Story/0,2763,396376,00.html
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biff
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posted on November 13, 2000 08:11:31 AM new
krs
Now that's just rehashing electoral versus popular vote.
Which doesn't have squat to do with this election.
Rules can't be changed at this stage of the game. If you feel strongly about it, attempt to change those rules prior to the next election.
This is not the first election where the cantidate with the most popular votes may not get into office.
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CleverGirl
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posted on November 13, 2000 08:51:27 AM new
Rules can't be changed at this stage of the game. If you feel strongly about it, attempt to change those rules prior to the next election.
I keep hearing that and reading that from Bush supporters, but for the life of me I can't figure out what people are talking about it when they say it.
All is currently proceeding under FL law. The ONLY people trying to change the rules are the Bush folks, by going to Federal court to quash the manual recount (duly provided for by FL law).
krs Loved that article from the Guardian.
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biff
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posted on November 13, 2000 09:04:17 AM new
clevergirl
Huh? I made a republican statement?
There are very varying opinions on electoral vs popular vote by many people. Whether female, male, republican, democrat, independant, caucasion, indian, whatever.
I don't like the electoral process myself. It seems blatantly unfair.
But that process cannot be denied during this election. It's too late in the game. Regardless of political preference, if someone disagrees with the process, they should work on changing it prior to the next election.
The inequities of the electoral process have been shown in many elections prior to this one.
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