But the thing that brings me a feeling of peace is that this election has restored my faith in democracy.
Several things conspired to lead me to the conclusion that our democracy was under seige. Obviously, Bush v. Gore was the starting point. I moved to Florida, so I personally felt my vote might not count. In 2004, with Bush's unpopularity, the compelling case Michael Moore made against Bush in Fahrenheit 9/11, the vast discrepanies between the exit polls and the election results lead me to believe that the Bushies may have stolen the presidency from Kerry.
Back in September I started getting this feeling of impendiing doom. As it became clear that McCain was losing the election, the feeling grew. My stomach hurt for months. I felt that we (whoever "we" are) should have done more to ensure that votes were properly counted. Then I made the mistake of watching Hacking Democracy, and listening RFK, Jr. (though I didn't read the book).
But the good guys won! Floida wasn't even a factor. We may not all live happily ever after, but I am believing that we still have a government for, of and by the people.
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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has written a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist asking for federal inspectors to be given access to polling places in four Florida counties, including Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. So far Secretary of State Kurt Browning, a man appointed by Crist, has refused.
"I think there's a new secretary in town," Browning said. "And certainly, when you look at the law and you read that law, I think it's very clear as to who can come into a polling place and who cannot."
In case you missed it, Browning, the new Secretary of State, seems to be saying he's not the softie Katherine Harris was. (Note: he is not her direct successor.)
However, Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark said she also plans to help voters with problematic registrations take care of those on Election Day as well, despite the warnings of Secretary of State Kurt Browning, who says such a plan could violate Florida's 'no match' law.
My net search has been an exercise in futility. I planned to vote early, so if I have a problem I can fix it, but at the rate I'm going, I won't be ready by Nov. 4!
I don't feel bad asking here, because I hope any sugestions might help others with similar quanrdies.
Thanks,
Marianne
]]>Dear Sarah,
Here is the link.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html
First, let me direst your attention to Article 1, Section 3:
"The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."
The part of the constitution pertaining to the office you are seeking with which you are probably familiar, taking over the duties of president should he become unable to do so, is found in Article 2, Section 1. Our constitution has "amendments," and this section has two; 20 and 25.
Should you become president, you might think it would be cool to make the first dude your veep. No can do. This same section provides that the president and the vice president must be from different states.
Imterestingly, even with the amendments, it is not clear what is intended in the event that the president is permanently unable to complete his term. It is only a tradition that the vice president finishes out the term of office. I learned in law school that the Constitution says whatever the supreme court says it says. Since no one has ever raised this issue, the supreme court has never interpreted this clause. I mention this because I believe if you were to become president, someone might look into this.
You probably should have taken a look at Article 2, Section 2 before you became governor. It seems you might be guilty of treason, as the foriegn policy experience you acquired in your dealings with Russia are clearly the sole realm of the president. Oops! (see also; Article 4 Section 4.)
I believe that covers it. In fairness to you, you did say someone had to tell you what the vice president does. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I assumed (made an ass of "u" and "me"!) that someone in the McCain camp would have told you.
Marianne
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Pretty much what they did Thursday. And they had been on such a roll!
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1. Which is the true threat to unraveling the fabric of democracy?
A] ACORN unwittingly registering non-existent voters who will never actually show up to vote; or
B] Leaving ballots in your trunk, rigging electronic voting machines, disqualifying voters for irrelevent inconsistancies between there voter registration cards and their motor vehicle records or there social security records, combined with various and sundry tactics of discouragement.
2. Yes or no. Do you support legislation that would require that a bucket of water be dumped on Michele Bachman's head every time she uses either the words liberal or leftist in combination with either anti- or un- American?
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