Red Blogule to the Electoral College system - Abolish

Archives 20040829 (see blogules 2004)

(discussion about the US system of indirect prez elections)

I'm not very found of the Electoral College system either, which is not fully democratic. But I consider the primaries an interesting crash test for a most-powerful-person-in-the-world wannabee (pure demagogists could be elected - Howard Dean is one thing, Hugo Chavez another kind).

Yet, direct vote is the best system for such a national election (especially since the US consider themselves a leading democracy), not this "nationocal" madness where Republican supporters back Nader and voting methods vary from one state or one county to another (ie the nepotic Banana Republic system in Florida). In this country, the knowledge is kept by a minority and the majority can easily be betrayed (ie the Y2K Floridian bug).

A reform is badly needed and local elections should be held independantly from the national ones. It should be a Federal issue where Governors have no right to cook according to their own receipe.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to Ralph Nader - Independent days are over

Archives 20040822 (see blogules 2004)

Nader tipping balance ? The guy's accepting tips from Republican supported lobbies : CSE (Citizens for a Sound Economy / Freedomworks) will help him get on the ballot in key states. Nader 2004 declined to answer when I asked their position regarding this support. Stop telling lies Ralphie: you are no more independent.

Just have a look at the CSE's website:
=> Their press releases : "Michigan CSE Turns Out Members for Nader Ballot Push"
=> The profiles of both CSE CEOs :

• "Dick Armey - co-chairman of CSE - Former Majority Leader D.A. has had a very distinguished career as Congressman for the 26th District of Texas. He was active in passing legislation related to military base closure and realignments, agriculture subsidy reforms, free trade, education scolarships for disadvantaged children and Homeland Security. He has served as ranking Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, as Chairman of the Republican Conference and as Majority Leader of the House where he had full responsibility for the legislative schedule. During his last year as a Member of Congress he served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security.
• "C. Boyden Gray - co-chairman of CSE - Gray is a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering where he focuses on a range of regulatory matters including, environmental, biotechnology, trade, clean air, and risk management. Gray served as counsel to George Bush, during his terms as president and vice president. Gray also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina Law School.

=> Some quotes from CSE supporters in the "about us" section (I just picked up 3 names out of 5) :

• "Folks, you've got to get to know this organization... They have been doing a great job all over the country educating people". President George W. Bush (NB : the expert in education known for slashing education budgets and taking some time to read My Pet Goat)
• "CSE is one of the most effective grassroots lobbying organizations around - anywhere." Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris (NB : yeah, that Kathy Harris who made sure Florida voters were betrayed)
• "You guys are everywhere" - Florida Governor Jeb Bush (NB : brrrr, even at the Supreme Court ? - scary, uh?)

Shall we let Bush-Nader 2004 get the same results as Bush-Nader 2000 ? Let us expose Nader's contradictions.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to The Bush Klan at work (continued)

Archives 20040817 (see blogules 2004)

(discussion following the previous blogule - what can be done against such abuses ?)

What to do indeed ? The least we can do is expose this kind of behaviors. Yet, there may be a lead: the article mentioned Joseph Egan, an Orlando lawyer who represents Mr. Thomas from the Orlando League of Voters. Going through the Yellow Pages I found a Egan Joseph Jr - Attorney (address). Good luck! And if there's nothing you can do, you can still sing your blues out. I'd suggest :

You load sixteen votes, whaddya get ?

Another day older and deeper in jail.

Democracy don't call me 'cause I can't go.

I owe my soul to the President's bro.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to The Bush Klan at work

Archives 20040817 (see blogules 2004)

Thank Bob Herbert for this very useful piece of journalism in the New York Times ("Suppress The Black Vote ?").
A few insights :
. "State police officers have gone into the homes of elderly black voters in Orlando and interrogated them as part of an odd "investigation" that has frightened many voters, intimidated elderly volunteers and thrown a chill over efforts to get out the black vote in November."
. "The officers, from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which reports to Gov. Jeb Bush, say they are investigating allegations of voter fraud that came up during the Orlando mayoral election in March."
. "Not surprisingly, many of the elderly black voters who found themselves face to face with state police officers in Orlando are members of the Orlando League of Voters, which has been very successful in mobilizing the city's black vote".

Governor Bush seems to have the same approach of democracy as his brother. It's not about family anymore: this is an actual Klan...

SM on a forum