Just Before Sunrise

The election on November 7, 2006 will have dramatic consequences for the American Republic. There is virtually no way I foresee that it will not, for the waning powers of a Republican Party are at risk of being called to task for years of abuse. Or, in a reverse scenario, the Republicans manipulate an electoral retention of Congress despite all predictions to the contrary.


One tool to that latter end may be legislation just passed in the House and headed for the US Senate, which requires specific ID at polling places, a move already ruled illegal in Missouri and Georgia in the runup to the election. This bill, if passed and enacted by the Republicans into law, may render this election even more contentious than the election of 2000 for President of the United States. This action is remarkable from a party that pleaded before the Supreme Court of the United States, that Florida should handle the outcome of the Presidential Election in 2000. And now, that same party proposes rules to influence the election at the states' level to the House and Senate. How conscientious on their part to be concerned about such matters from on high!

The focus of Republican efforts to skew the outcome of the election to their corporate and collective liking appears to cut along two lines. First, ... Deny as often as possible the right to vote to citizens on the margins, ... The poor, the elderly, the homeless, our deployed military, and the aged. At the same time then to demand the promotion and utilization of electronic voting machines produced largely by corporations run and owned by inveterate politicos, ... Universally, to my knowledge, Republicans by party affiliation. The demand for verifiable paper records to be produced, verified by the voter, and retained for recounts is resisted at every turn by the Republicans. One has to wonder why, if the intention is accuracy in counting the vote, and a desire to have a valid outcome to the election reflecting the wishes of the American electorate. How can a manufacturer be proud of a product whose output can be easily corrupted in such a critical environment? Does Diebold provide that same level of security and traceability to its banking customers? Do you find their ATM's are handing you more or less money than you requested from your accounts? Do you get money from other people's accounts? Do you think this is a different company, ... Or rather the same company with a different purpose?

This election will not be close. That is to say, the outcome will be clearcut, however it is legally achieved, or illegally contrived. The morning of November 8th will either be a day of rebirth and opportunity for America as a democratic republic, ... Or the beginning of an even darker chapter in our recent immersion into a gentle but sinking American Fascism.

Benito Mussolini, 'Il Duce' must beam from below at the fact that his concept alone, and neither the Deutscher Fuhrer's, nor the Japanese Emperor's approach, was the first to rise from its grave and seize the Corporate imagination in America. America does not require that all journalists be Republican, as Il Duce required of Italian journalists, ... to be fascists. As did Berlusconi, ... Republicans or Corporations own most news outlets, broadcast and print.

This Winter of the American Republic may be only about to deepen, ... Or be nearing its climax. The darkness may lift, or be lifted, to allow a sunrise toward Spring. My concerns notwithstanding, we must, each and everyone of us, vote! We can not concern ourselves whether our vote is properly counted at the moment we cast it. If you feel concerned about any circumstance surrounding your vote, ... Write down and record the particulars. Record the names of pollworkers, registrars, and election staffers. If they will not give you their names, ... Make notes to remind you of their appearance, the time of day you voted, and the surrounding events and comments made.

The battle to come may not be political, but legal. No one can know the affect their own vote, either counted or corrupted, can make for our nation of states. Remember for whom you voted. Write it down before, during, or after you cast your vote. This will be a very important vote in your life, of that I can assure you! Whatever your predisposition and persuasion, I want your vote counted. You should as well.

Stargazer51