What's to prevent them from stealing the next election too?

[Cyrano]

Yes, I'm a conspiracy theorist and based on circumstantial evidence, I believe the Rethugs have stolen this year's election. And not just the presidential election. I'm talking about senatorial, congressional, and gubernatorial races.

The companies that make and program the voting machines are all headed up by BushCo supporters. And the Rethugs fought tooth and nail before the election against paper trails, and after the election, for non-access to the machines.

Forget the "values" crap they're peddling us about why the election went to Bush. Unless we can get paper trails, as well as putting an end to phony "felon's lists" and all other forms of minority voter disenfranchisement, we're never going to win an election again.

We're dealing with fascist criminals who will never relinquish power voluntarily. Whatever it takes, let's make sure we get a fair election in 2006. How? I wish I had the answer. But at least, let's acknowledge the nature of the problem.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Fight LOCALLY!

Most counties decide what type of device to use, as they do in Illinois. We attended all the county board meetings where the discussions about what equipment to purchase were had, and lobbied for verifiable, paper trail machines, and we got them.

You can do this, too, y'all! It's called grass roots effort.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. You got it!

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[dflprincess]

2. Don't look to the DNC for help

see the press release I posted here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=120193#120231
for their plan.

[Us vs Them]

3. I agree with you

And think this should be our top priority. Election reform.

[katinmn]

4. you left me an opening

for this!

http://www.51capitalmarch.com/

I wish more people were excited about taking it to the streets on Sunday.

[Cyrano]

5. You need more publicity. See if one of the major blogs will post it.

However, as much as I hate to sound negative, I have my doubts as to how much good it will do. The Republicans couldn't care less about such marches, and the Dems are sitting there with their thumbs up their asses trying to figure out how to get "values."

Between the right wing propaganda machine and the lack of a "liberal media" no march in Washington, DC or any state capital will get any coverage.

Somehow, we've got to find something really dramatic that will wake up most of the morons in this country.

And I don't use the word morons lightly. Even though I think the election was stolen, the fact that over 50 million people voted for Bush means that stupidity is rampant and on the march. And it's a deadly disease that we must find a way to counter before we go the way of the dinosaurs.

[katinmn]

7. It's getting out there and we're posting away

but you're right. No one cares and we'll probably have 20 people at each capital. :-(

[billie_]

10. i hope your wrong, trying to get ppl to go 12.12.04 n/t

[Cyrano]

12. Keep the faith, katinmn

Paul Wellstone is a hero to many of us. Your efforts are appreciated, welcomed and embraced.

The sad reality today is that we're up against a band of thugs who will do anything, while we're trying to "play by the rules."

There aren't any rules anymore. Nor will taking to the streets the way we did in the '60s work today.

What's needed is a new technique to overcome these barbarians, short of a civil war. A modern day civil war is impossible as there are no geographic boundaries to separate the differing idealogies.

And, as with Germany of the '30s, world opinion has no effect on the war criminals who have seized power in America.

How do we defeat them? If I had the answer, I would share it. The best idea I can come up with is a European and Asian boycott of us, until we change our policies.

[katinmn]

13. Thanks, Cyrano

I'm basically just a shy, introverted Norwegian who would rather observe and push from the sidelines. But now I'm old enough to see the stark contrast between the freedoms we had and what we have lost.

We've always had some skeletons in our closet but there was a time not so long ago when America was seen as a beacon of hope and a model for democracy for people around the world. Now I'm ashamed of what we've become.

I don't have the answers either.

But I'm ready to fight for my country.

[billie_]

9. I agree, we need to fix the voting problems before we can do anything

i was trying to keep that link kicked last night after hearing about it on Mike Malloy

so, KICK !

billie

[Gman]

6. Not a damn thing

There was a right wing revolution in 2000 and it was continued this year. Why does everyone expect the right wing to say, "Oh sure. We'll have fair elections."

The only way you deal with a revolutionary provisional government is with a counter revolution. Its the only way.

[katinmn]

8. we could consider the Sunday protest "practice"

many of us have never done this before. We don't know what the hell we're doing but we're tired of sitting on our asses.

[TrustingDog]

16. you are correct.

to expect a 'fair' election next time out is quite hilarious, actually.

[ooglymoogly]

11. imo if we cannot effect change i. e a new and honest voting system by

2006 we have to boycott the election since our vote is not going to count anyway. bushes victory would then be a 130% victory, depending on the no of dems voting, 30%higher than saddam husein, with the crooked voting machines since no or few democrats would vote to counteract the fixed no's , then the world at least would know that democracy has died and shrub could not continue his charade....i can pipe dream can't i...pipe dreams are filled with faulty reasoning...pie in the sky and all that

[greenohio]

15. Call your state rep and senator and tell them to change

the election process so that
1)All ballots are counted by hand at the precinct, the night of the election.
2)Representatives are present from each candidate on that ballot.
3)The counting is video taped.
4)The result/per precinct is published and certified with the representatives signing after the vote.
5)The only ballots counted at the county are absentee, but that counting is video taped and representatives from each candidate are present.

It would take a huge conspiracy to commit fraud with this process.

[TrustingDog]

17. don't vote IN DROVES... maybe reverse physcology will do it...

why bang your head against the wall? The big fix is in and the system is rotting stinking foully excelerating since 2000.

The only thing those fascists have (and we voluntarily give them) is credibility by being foolish enough to think our vote counts for anything.

They hide well behind this façade and it has served them well. Let's play the game a bit different seeing as the regular way makes piss all difference.