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Bush, The Election, and Terrorism Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by clarita zarate, United States Nov 1, 2004
Peace & Conflict   Opinions
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My fiancé wrote this, I want to share it with you:

Everyone seems to be talking about how important an election this is going to be, how it is the most important one in our lifetime. I certainly feel that way, but not particularly because of all the issues being debated, which are undoubtedly of considerable importance: the war, the economy, health care, the environment, civil rights (which would include the matters of abortion, same-sex marriages and gun ownership), etc. etc.

This election is the most important in my 52 year old life because I really believe that it might be the last real election the United States of America will ever have.

Serious danger signs are all around us and if they go unheeded it could well signal the death of democracy in this country. "Democracy"... such a lofty word.
It is supposed to symbolize what is best about America, what has made this country
a model for freedom-loving people all over the world. A system where every person, regardless of race, sex, economic status or personal beliefs, has a say...it's called a VOTE...in the running of the government. Government of, by, and for the people...it's not a cliché. It is a fundamental tenet of the Constitution, and it is supposed to be guaranteed by law. And the law is supposed to be fair, weighed in the impartial scales of Justice, and enforced without personal or political prejudice.

Elections are supposed to be above all honest and fair. Every citizen has the right to cast his or her vote and that vote must be counted accurately. In no way must it EVER be tampered with or cast or counted under questionable circumstances. This is our most precious and sacred right as Americans. I am sure that most people would agree with that, regardless of political affiliation.

So what are we to say, then, about the incredible lack of conscience we are seeing
in those who are seeking to suppress the vote? Of course, I understand that these are battleground states, elections are battles, and one side is obviously afraid that they might lose. But is winning really everything? Is it really worth it to obtain victory if you have to subvert and undermine our most basic American institution to do it?
The answer, for the side that supports Mr. Bush, is sadly, but clearly, yes.

What happened in Florida in 2000 was their first real test. Could they get away with
illegally taking tens of thousands of people, mostly minorities, off the voter rolls because their last names matched those of totally unrelated convicted felons in Texas, and then could they get another many thousands of votes intended for Gore cast mistakenly for Pat Robertson because of an incredibly misleading ballot configuration in several highly Democratic counties? And would they then claim victory by the thinnest of margins...537 votes? And could they then block a true and accurate recount with legal tricks, and have the Supreme Court appoint the President? And would the Democrats cave in and the press be intimidated into not running any stories seriously investigating what really happened? And would the population shrug their shoulders and look the other way? And was it a coincidence that Jeb Bush was governor of Florida at such a crucial moment?

Obviously the answer is yes on all counts, except of course the Bush question. Let's face facts: they CHEATED and COVERED IT UP to "win" that election. And that set the tone for the next four years. In my personal opinion, the situation in Florida demanded a full, seriously and impartially monitored RE-VOTE, not a recount. After the very integrity of the vote was called into question that would have been the only really right thing to do.

But they got away with it. And I fear that that has only emboldened them further.

I would like to ask these individuals, who are working so hard to block people from
participating in our (so-called) democracy and exercising their rights as citizens a
question: How can you look in the mirror and honestly call yourselves Americans?

I'm not really interested in their answer. They will be full of rationalizations and spin-
doctored explanations. The plain fact is that politics in America has become so polarized in the last few years that both sides hold the other in utter contempt. And the current administration has clearly shown that they have no use or regard for any
kind of rational discussion. Why should they? They have proved by their actions that
they are interested above all in pushing their own right wing ideology and serving the interests of big American money and big American power. And they have also
proved that they are willing to do anything...even LIE SHAMELESSLY to the American people and to the world, and CHEAT on elections...to do it.

And this is what really worries me: if you believe the polls, their strategy is working.
A large portion of the population is uneducated and uninterested. They, like their President, seek simple-minded answers to complicated problems. They don't really seem to care that they have been lied to. The fear of terrorism is their overwhelming concern and they will gladly look the other way as their rights are taken away in exchange for a false sense of security. TV Guide is more relevant to their lives than the Constitution.





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