I also heard that many voters "thought" they were voting for (Democrat)
Vice-President Gore but instead voted for the polar-opposite, right-wing
fundamentalist, Pat Buchanan. This morning's news even had a quote by Mr.
Buchanan saying that he doubted that those votes were really his.
The media is reporting that 19,000 ballots were marked for 2 candidates-
Buchanan and Gore. Later in the day, they were saying that the ballot was
"confusing" to some voters, and some pundits suspect that part of that may
have been caused by the residents of Florida, many of whom are, uhm.... past
retirement age. (Lots of people retire to Florida don't cha know.)
The dems are claiming that the ballot is actually "illegal" because Florida
law states that the ballot must be built a certain way. And the one in
question isn't built that way. (Ironically, the Bush folks point out that
in Gore's home county, they have..... wait for it..... a butterfly ballot.
Some candidates on the left, some candidates on the right.
**
The reality is that if a voter makes a mistake on a ballot, all he or she
has to do is ask for help. It happens many times on every election day.
The mis-marked ballot is destroyed and the voter is given another chance.
It is completely cavalier and inappropriate to later whine, as I saw one
elderly American do on TV news, "I don't know who I voted for! The ballot
confused me!" That's hog-wash.
Shame on the dems! "Reckless voters" is not a valid reason to annul an
election. And thank G*d.
Further, in Florida both parties are allowed to view the ballot ahead of
time. BOTH parties approved the so-called 'illegal' ballot!
**
IMO, we should quietly have faith in the democracy that has given us
peaceful transition of power for generations (HELLO??) and work the
re-count. Let's recount with dignity.
Maybe, after we have a new president, we should re-visit the wacky idea
(IMHO) of the Electoral College but it's no reason to throw out this
election! If we did, we would never again be able to put our trust in the
democratic process. Instead, the process itself would be up for review
after every election!
Thanks for the bandwidth, Les.
Finding the ballot counting strangely more interesting than the candidates,
Jim L'Hommedieu
PS- Steve Dulson, sorry I forgot to label the "Israel vs. Palestine" thread
njc.
