My Rep. finaly answered my E-mail... Nothing we can do

[zeemike]

Jus got this from My Rep, a reply to my E-mail two weeks ago Her it is;

Dear (zeemike)

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns over the
2004 Presidential election. I appreciate hearing from you on this
important issue.

Over 110 million Americans, which is almost 60 percent of the
voting age population, cast their ballots for a Presidential candidate in
2004. This marks the highest turnout for a national election since the
1960s. There have been concerns, however, that voting irregularities
occurred in several areas during this election. In response to these
concerns, several Members of Congress recently sent a letter to the
General Accountability Office (GAO), requesting an investigation into
this situation.

On November 23, 2004, GAO Comptroller David Walker stated
that in the past, the GAO has conducted a range of federal elections-
related work, including systemic reviews on issues relating to federal
election requirements and technologies. In addition, the GAO has
ongoing and planned work relating to systemic election issues, involving
reviews of voter registration processes, provisional voting, and voting
technologies. The GAO, however, is not authorized to engage in
enforcement efforts relating to specific allegations of voting
irregularities. The Constitution asserts that elections are a matter largely
reserved to, and regulated by, the individual states. Mr. Walker has
affirmed that the GAO will continue to do its part in connection with
important elections issues.

As past elections have shown, there needs to be significant
election reform to ensure accountability and confidence in the electoral
system. I have cosponsored a vital piece of legislation, H.R. 2239, the
Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act, which aims to
achieve these goals. As you may be aware, computerized voting systems
will soon become the primary method for voting across the country.
Unfortunately, with this technology comes a potentially serious problem
- the fact that computer voting machines are not currently required to
produce a voter-verified paper trail. H.R. 2239 addresses this problem
by requiring a voter-verified record for all votes cast in federal elections.
Under this bill, funds will go to ensure that this minimum standard of
voter protection will be built into computer voting systems before the
next general election. Unfortunately, the majority did not allow this bill
to be brought before the House prior to the 2004 general election.

The core principle of our democracy is consent of the governed.
I believe that it is vital to ensure all Americans know that when they cast
a ballot, their voices will be heard and will be heard correctly. Please be
assured that I will continue to closely monitor this issue and that I will
take your thoughts into consideration should any related legislation come
before the House during the 109th Congress.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel
free to contact me again if you have thoughts or comments on any
federal issue. You may visit my website at www.tomudall.house.gov for
more information.



Very Truly Yours,

Tom Udall
Member of Congress

And my reply was;


Dear Mr. Udal

Thank you for your reply.
But let me summarize your letter in what I hear you saying;
That if someone has stolen our votes, and or impeded the voter process in any way there is no legal way to challenge it
And that you have a bill that will make it harder for them to steal the vote but there is no hope for it either.
What the *** is going on here? Are we a democracy or not?
It is very discouraging to hear you say this because there are some of your colleagues that are also Democrats right now in Ohio investigating this with little or no help form you.
I want my representative in Congress to defend democracy and the constitution like they promise to do when they take office. And I do not accept the excuse that there is nothing we can do.

[aquart]

1. Good answer.

His wasn't.

[pbartch]

3. his answer stunk to high heaven

these people get elected then forget all about us......

just like in the bubble gum movie........LEGALLY BLONDE 2

I'd rather have that blond "girl" (I mean the character in the movie) in Senate or Congress.....than most of the people who got voted in!!

[GetTheRightVote]

2. thank you for taking action, but it looks like we might need to march

right over to their offices the fire them all

[katinmn]

4. At least you got an answer. I'm still waiting.

Must be a crush of letters out there, huh?

Your rep say he introduced legislation requiring a paper trail but it wasn't taken up in time for the 04 election. Now that's a surprise given we have a Repug controlled Congress. AT least he did something.

But I'm with you in that we want them to do something NOW. Speak up NOW.

Geeze, these people are half asleep.

[bullimiami]

5. there was no "legal" way to challange king george

but we did it.

when the legal system is corrupt the time has come to challange it.

[SueZhope]

6. heres mine from Nita M. Lowey

looks like they are sharing tips on what to say to us



Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns about
> the integrity of the recent national election. I appreciate the benefit
> of your views on this important issue.
>
> As you know, there have been various reports of strange
> results and difficulties had by people trying to cast their vote in the
> election. I take each of these reports seriously, and have been
> following the developments of various cases that are receiving
> scrutiny. I believe that the right to vote is fundamental to the
> continued survival of our democracy, and because of that belief I
> have been working in Congress to ensure that American's votes
> count.
>
> Almost immediately following the election this year, a
> group of Representatives, most of whom are on the House
> Judiciary Committee, contacted the Government Accountability
> Office (GAO) to request an investigation into various reports of
> voting irregularities. This is an important request and I will watch
> to ensure that the GAO conducts a thorough investigation of these
> issues.
>
> In addition, I am already a cosponsor of H.R. 2239, the
> Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act. Congress took
> the first step towards enhancing our nation's system of voting in
> 2002 when it passed the Help America Vote Act, which I
> cosponsored. While this legislation has facilitated needed
> improvements in our voting system, and will continue to
> implement additional changes, I recognize that it is only a start.
> H.R. 2239 would build on this law by requiring voting systems to
> produce a voter-verified paper record suitable for a manual audit
> and superior to that of a paper ballot box system. It would also
> require the Election Assistance Commission to perform mandatory
> and surprise recounts in a sample of jurisdictions to test the
> effectiveness of this new system.
>
> This legislation has not received adequate consideration by
> the House leadership, and is still pending before the Committee on
> House Administration. You can rest assured that I will continue to
> support these and other improvements to our election system.
>
> Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me; if you
> would like more information on this or other issues, or to sign up
> for my regular E-Newsletter, visit my website at
> http://www.house.gov/lowey. Please do not hesitate to contact me
> again if I can help you in any way.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Nita M. Lowey
> Member of Congress
>

[zeemike]

8. Yep

They all say the same bullshit
I wonder if they go to school to learn that?

[rzemanfl]

15. At least it's better than getting a

machine signed letter from Rummy saying your kid is dead and he's sorry, yada, yada, yada...

[merh]

29. Naah, they learn it at the kool aid parties

they attend. You know, since fundies are in charge, cocktail parties are "morally" questionable, so now they have kool aid parties. So innocent, so informative! :puke:

[rzemanfl]

14. Surprise recounts, I like that

but the chance of it getting through a Republican congress are zip, zero and nada.

[katinmn]

20. Dem congressional staff write them

probably change a few sentences around

[Cogito ergo doleo]

7. Thanks for writing Udall

He was a great atty. gen. and a nice guy, but his letter stinks. Thanks for writing your good reply, zeemike. I've written to him about Social Security-- wonder what kind of form letter they have prepared for that.

[zeemike]

12. I always liked him too

But once they join the club I guess they leave us all behind.

[Cogito ergo doleo]

16. It sure is beginning to look that way. n/t

[mbee]

9. Unbelievable! This is not the right answer and someone has got

to DEMAND THAT THE VOTES ARE COUNTED. I admit the pugs are repulsive in their actions, but they aren't pussys and we need to start imitating them in respect to demanding our rights or we deserve what we get.

[msongs]

10. he's an elected Democrat, did you expect him to fight for your rights???

not friggin likely.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/bush-xmas.htm

[zeemike]

13. For a minute I did not get it, until I saw the shape or the tree.

[patdem]

17. Msongs...that Xmas tree has me chuckling...though not in a good way

only because it is very resourceful and pertinent. I really did not expect anything like that and was shocked..then chuckled? I guess I have a pretty sick sense of humor?

[Cogito ergo doleo]

19. No-

Humor is humor because its defining characteristic is surprise or the unexpected. The irony of this is so full of pathos it makes you laugh sadly.

[merh]

30. Msong, do you mind if I copy your card.

I have some repukes I would love to send that to. :evilgrin:

[Alizaryn]

11. Nicely done, keep us posted.

[Niche]

18. Here's mine from Feinstein/Still nothing from Boxer

Dear Mr. (gender wrong)(Niche):

Thank you for writing to me about voter confidence in elections. I
appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

A number of bills, which address the issue of voter confidence,
have been introduced in the 108th Congress. Some bills, such as H.R. 2239
and S. 1980, would require voting machines to produce a permanent paper
record so that voters can check the accuracy of their votes and officials can
conduct a manual audit or recount should either one be necessary. I am
currently reviewing a number of legislative options that have been
proposed to ensure an accurate and reliable voting system. As it became
clear in recent elections, inadequate voting mechanisms can be detrimental
to the integrity of our electoral process.

To address voting concerns, such as voter ballot verification and
others, I supported the AHelp America Vote Act", which became law
December 29, 2002. Among other reforms, the AHelp America Vote Act@
created a new federal Elections Assistance Commission to ensure that all
voting technologies are tested for accuracy and to provide procedures for
decertification of a technology that is subsequently found to be inadequate.
The Commission is also responsible for distributing federal grants to state
electorates for improvement of their electoral processes. States still
maintain control over election administration, but the law introduces a
degree of federal oversight and assistance.

Again, thank you for writing. I hope you will continue to keep me
informed on issues of importance to you. Should you have any further
questions or comments, please feel free to call my Washington, D.C. staff
at [phone].

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov


P.S Expect this from F./Boxer has not responded and she usually responds right away... bad cop good cop stuff with them...

[EFerrari]

21. DianeDoublespeak. If it's not importing to China or building

military installations, she's really good at being vanilla.

I'll keep at her if you will, Niche. Frankly, I'd like to go on a "no incumbent left behind" spree. Including Nancy Pelosi for backing Roemer.

[SueZhope]

23. Interesting

You got the short form.
Perhaps someone passed around a sample letter .

Democracy is looking far of on a mountain top tonight.

[whalerider55]

22. Flat out

Put it to my Senator, KENNEDY, in an e-mail asking him to sponsoir the House petition to throw out the Ohio Electoral ballot on January 6th. Two weeks, now, and I haven't heard a word.

Not what I've come to expect from the Liberal Lion.

The Elephant has labored mightily, and brought forth... a mouse, i fear.

whalerider5

[mulethree]

24. Iam completely ineffective, please replace me with a republican

if you want your representation to actually get anything done for you. Well, except for elections, repubs are powerless to repair our election process except to get some huge block grants directed to republican voting machine companies. Phil Zelikow kept that commission on target as well.


At least he voted against the war.

[mulethree]

26. Heres Santorum (Generic form letter)

Dear (Mulethree):

Thank you for contacting me and providing me with your insight regarding the issues currently facing our nation. I apologize for the delay in my response, but I want to assure you that I appreciate hearing from you and having the benefit of your views.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me, and I will be sure to keep them in mind as I undertake my responsibilities as your United States Senator. During the 108th Congress, a multitude of diverse issues will be considered and debated by the Senate. I look forward to continuing to work on issues of importance to our Commonwealth.

Thank you again for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance with this or any other matter, please feel free to call on me again.

Sincerely,
Rick Santorum


Specter and Fitzpatrick didn't even bother to respond.

[zeemike]

27. At least he made it short n/t

[mary195149]

25. I think the only way anything will be accomplished,

is if we as the people of the United States fight it for ourselves. We probably should protest in D.C. We need to take to the streets like the Ukraine.

[mulethree]

28. Maybe better luck

If we demonstrate inside/outside the NYSE.

NYC has media headquarters and financial centers and lots of willing people. Kiev type action is more possible there.

[Beth in VT]

31. I got an equally lame reply from Leahy

Jeffords has done more, sponsored a bill that would require voter-verified paper trail, open source code, random manual recounts.

[zeemike]

32. At least he went for open source n/t