Good, thoughtfull post on the RB:
ragingbull.altavista.com
By: wurger $$$$
Reply To: None Thursday, 9 Nov 2000 at 2:38 PM EST
Post # of 5085
OT: Random election thoughts:
It seems to me that neither candidate is clearly the people's choice. I say send them both home and let's try again. 5 days for the two major party committees to nominate new tickets. 21 days to campaign. Everybody back to the voting booth. No exit polls. No precinct results released for 48 hours. (Electoral College still does its thing -- can't throw out the Constitution.) Election certified by the 50 secretaries of states (and whoever in Washington DC). The sentate recieves the certifications and tells us who won.
That was tongue-in-cheek of course, but the whole thing is pretty frightening. The election hinges on such a narrow margin that fewer than 1,000 votes separates the two in the deciding state, and something like 150,000 out of 100,000,000 votes (that's 0.15%) separates the two in the popular vote. Palm Beach ballots should be irrelevant at this point, and yet they are the material factor in the election.
The biggest problem in Palm Beach isn't just how the system failed, but that there is no clear remedy. How do 19,000 people approach a "do-over"? Do they vote for whom they originally intended? Or does the current situation influence their decision? Suddenly the knowledge and significant import of each vote becomes a significant factor. What does the national spotlight do to people? Will 19,000 people be allowed to elect the next president? How do we prevent undue influence on these poor saps, not just from the parties and candidates, but suddenly also from friends, relatives and the public at large.
If Palm Beach gets revisited, then what about every other person in the country whose ballot was voided for whatever reason.
If Palm Beach is revisited, then how do we deal with the Democratic National Committee handing out cigarettes to encourage a vote? (Why cigarettes of all things? I know that's an effective attention getter for the audience involved, but since when is the Democratic party so politically incorrect?)
I am getting increasingly concerned that there will be a storm. What is happening in Florida today might just be a glimpse of what can happen throughout this country when this thing is declared over. The two parties' posturing is stirring up strong and deeply held emotions. This isn't just about who wins and loses, but it is about the most basic and fundamental rights that makes this country what it is.
At this point I think there is nothing more important before us than the orderly transfer of power, and I hope -- no I expect -- that both candidates will focus on that and start now to take steps to make sure it occurs. Time to step back from personal stakes and even party interests and start thinking of this country as a whole. Contesting the Florida outcome beyond the recount will serve not only to prolong the divisiveness of party politics, but will serve to make that division even stronger and deeper.
Therefore, no matter how it turns out -- my candidate or yours -- I will accept that outcome and not look back. How about you?
P.S. Sorry for the long post. I said everything I have to say on the matter at one time. |
