Posted on 01/08/2005 10:11:20 PM PST by Ooh-Ah
I commend Senator Boxer from California for joining with members of the House, most particularly Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, in raising the objection because it does permit us to air some of these issues, something that I believe is necessary for the smooth functioning of our democracy and the integrity of the most precious right of any citizen, namely, the right to vote.
As we look at our election system, I think it's fair to say that there are many legitimate questions about its accuracy, about its integrity, and they are not confined to the state of Ohio. They are questions that have arisen throughout our country and certainly because of the election of 2000 have been given high relief in the last four years. And then questions were raised additionally with respect to this election, which deepened the concern of many people about whether or not we can assure the continuity of our democratic process by ensuring the consent of the governed and the acceptance of the results of elections.
Several weeks ago, we stood in great admiration as a nation behind the people of Ukraine as they took to the streets to demand that they be given the right to an election where every vote was counted. In a few weeks, we're going to see an election in Iraq. And we know that there are people literally dying in Iraq for the right to cast a free vote. I am very proud of our country that we have stood with Ukrainians, Iraqis and others around the world, but increasingly, I worry that if this body, this Congress, doesn't stand up on a bipartisan basis for the right to vote here at home, our moral authority will be weakened. I take that very seriously.
This year, we will celebrate the anniversary of the voting rights act, and it will be an opportunity for us to take a look at this landmark legislation and determine how we're going to move it into the 21st century so that it really stands for what it was intended to do when it was first passed. I would be standing here saying this no matter what the outcome of the election because I still think the best rule in the politics is the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I worry whether it's a Democratic or Republican administration or a local, county, state or federal election that we are on a slippery slope as a nation.
My colleagues, Senator Boxer, and I along with former Senator Bob Graham of Florida introduced legislation last year to try to assure a verifiable paper audit. We didn't get anywhere with that. We didn't get a hearing before the rules committee. I would hope that the distinguished chair of the rules committee would hold such a hearing this year. Because if we can go buy a lottery ticket or go to a bank and get an ATM deposit, then we know we can use an electronic transfer mechanism that gives us a record.
Last spring, India had an election and 550 million or so people voted from the dot-com billionaire to the poor, illiterate peasant. They all voted. Mr. President, they voted on electronic voting machines. They voted in a way that guaranteed the safety and security and accuracy of their vote. They had uniform standards. They had a nonpartisan board that oversaw that election. The result was shocking-they threw out the existing government. Nobody predicted that. Yet they did it with integrity. Surely, we should be setting the standards. I would hope that this body, and thanks to the objection of my friend from California, this debate which has started today will continue.
screw you Hillary.........you stabbed her and Jesse Jackson in the back.....the right hates you and the left should consider you a traitor.......
Hah!
She worries about 'voting reform' and never mentions Chicago, NYC, or LA.
Amazing....
bookmarked and FYI ping
FUH
HELLO Hilary, WASHINGTON state is in the middle of major vote fraud, we could use your help here/sarcasm
What I suggest for poor adrift Hillary Clinton, is an ovehaul of the left's efforts to invalidate our election process.
If that wanker and her side would clean up their act, the problem would be solved.
Wasn't it Babbushka Boxer who stated every vote should count the other day? LOL, hey toots, how about the votes of the military? Investigate how those votes are being treated these days.
Will someone please inform this U.S. Senator that we don't live in a democracy.
....Boy...Hillary threw every currently-newsworthy catch-phrase that she could think of into these few paragraphs
The corrupt talking about corruption!? HILLARIOUS!
Clearly lots of poor illiterate american peasants voted in the last election as well. With a little help from their demonrat friends!
Hillary!, I doubt very much you would be standing in the Senate whining about election fraud if sKerry had won. And your golden rule seems to be: Do unto other before they have a chance to testify.
And, uh, speaking of affirming citizenship... how 'bout THIS idea?
I called MY Congressman and Senator's offices this past week. How about YOU?
Wait a minute. How 'bout signatures affirming citizenship, voting only once, being properly registered, still living at the address of registration and NOT BEING DEAD -- with penalties for perjury as well as voting law violations?
Since it is now in vogue to wet our pants about India's superior voting methods, here are a couple of things to remember.
a) They don't vote on one day as we must by law. They hold elections over a couple of weeks. Then they count the votes after all have voted on a separate day. Not at all like us where you generally know the results within a few hours of the polls closing, even if the official counting and certification is not for a few weeks.
b) If you are out of town on the day your state is holding the election, whether for the legislative assembly, or the parliament, too bad. Sick or invalided? Tough. Serving your country overseas? So sorry, brave jawan. No absentee ballot system at all.
c) Ask how elections are going in Bihar or J-K or anywhere in the Northeast? How about how many times the Center has dissolved a legally elected state government/legislative assembly in the last 50 years because they did not like it?
d) Check out Transparency International's website for an analysis about the levels of corruption in India. Makes Chicago politics look like Mayberry, RFD in comparison.
Wrong right there. I won't listen to socialists that try to denigrate our Republic.
Hillary wants to gripe about voter regulatory isssues........yet it was her campaign finance director who has been indicted for campaign finance fraud.
The Bitch HATES our military. Can any American ever consider voting for this Bitch? Personally, I think that some need a Pb injection at 2300 fps to the target at a black crusty.
Now that Newt is out there bashing President Bush, Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bremer it appears Newt is planning on being Hilary's running mate in 2008.
And just think... she's standing in the Senate because of some voter fraud.
She's done.
Next.
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