The Iranian Meet and Tweet

So the question of fairness looms…

Is it fair that with respect to Iran, President Obama is willing, without preconditions, to meet…

But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadineja, without exception, won’t allow his people to Tweet.

Power to the Tweeters… May their revolution bring about “change we can believe in.”

Election day changes I want to see…

I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the United States wrangling over the results of our presidential election, and even suggesting that the presidency itself could be stolen by thievery at the ballot box.
-Thomas Jefferson

At this point we are better than halfway through the all-important day that we exercise our Right as Free Men (and Women) to control our governance. There is no greater power in the world where Freedom reigns than the power to cast a vote and tell those who would lead how we feel and what we think. Much will be read into the results of our voting, and much possibly misconstrued or manipulated, but consider the alternative where a elite few make all decisions based on their personal whimsy or gain. Great Civil Rights battles have been rightly fought throughout the history of our country and, indeed the world, to establish this most basic of controls. I believe because of all that has been sacrificed, it is not something to be taken lightly or cynically ignored. Make time, make a choice, and vote, no matter what the outcome. It is in this spirit that I would like to propose two changes to the process of Election Day in this country:

1) Not releasing the result of any actual vote tally until after the last poll in the West closes.

2) Not publishing the result of Exit Polling until after the last poll in the West closes.

Both are really for the same reasons; if the goal of Election day is to make sure that all voices are heard then we are doing Western voters a huge disservice by implying that by the time they get a chance to vote that their vote “won’t matter”. While it could electrify a close race, the potential for disaffection on a seeming landslide can’t be dismissed for either the apparent winner or loser. I think one of the little discussed advantages of a secret ballot system is that not only does it protect the voter from persecution, but it also protects later voters from the results. They can remain enthusiastic about their vote and their candidate’s chances.

The excitement to know the results after so much discussion and wait is understandable, but it serves no democratic purpose to publish the information before everyone has a chance to be involved. And there are plenty of cases of incorrect or potentially fraudulent exit polling results that could be interpreted by the cynical as an attempt to manipulate the outcome.

We seem to pay lip-service to Election Reform after each major cycle has passed (usually championed most by the party that lost the election) but rarely does there seem to be enough steam by the newly annoited to actually get it done. Maybe this is just another good reason why we need a National Initiative system.

After all….

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
-Thomas Jefferson

Government thuggery

I know it sometimes sounds like calls to limit government power and keep a wary eye on them even after are the ravings of a crazy and paranoid person…but reality can be very frightening.

From the “Common Sense” commentary this week:

…In Michigan, similar nastiness has been directed against the campaign to recall Speaker of the House Andy Dillon. Dillon staffers have flocked into the district to intimidate those petitioning to recall their boss.

One such blocker, hired by the Michigan Democratic Party to “educate” voters, is an eight-time felon whose rap sheet includes armed robbery. The police got involved . . . making robo-calls to residents claiming the recall backers were “extremists” engaged in an “illegal” effort.

The Detroit News piled on, arguing that the recall, precipitated by Dillon’s big tax hike, will cost Michigan taxpayers more because it requires a special election. Except that it won’t. The regularly scheduled August primary will piggy-back the recall vote — which will happen, since last week more than enough signatures were turned in.

Most of our Founding Father’s would weep to see examples like this of a government lording over it’s people.  Jefferson would probably call for another revolution.  All I’m asking for is a little due diligence when you’re called to vote.  Suffrage was one of the most fundamental rights our Father’s fought for so that we, the Sons (and Daughters) wouldn’t have to refresh the Tree of Liberty “…from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants…”.  Voting is a much less messy way, but no less Revolutionary if practiced by a people who are determined to have the government they know they have an Inalienable right to.

It starts and ends with you.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniencies attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.

-Thomas Jefferson

P.S. The “Common Sense” commentaries are excellent and can be sent to you via email for weekly shot in the arm about how important it is that we remain an educated, indignant, and motivated electorate.  You can sign up on the page linked above.