The 21^st Century Magazine,
at South Florida's www.miami-dade-online.com.

The 2000 Presidential Elections has resulted in a crisis for Democracy. It is not a Constitutional Crisis, nor a crisis in faith, nor even a crisis of Law. It may be a crisis of courage and understanding.

"Democracy" is defined as "all for one". A citizen of a Democracy has the duty to fight for the rights of each and every citizen. If you allow one single American citizen to be refused their right to vote, you better have a damn good reason for it.

While there were other situations of illegality, the Palm Beach, Florida ballot was unequivocally illegal by Florida law. Florida Law states the punch hole must be to the right of the candidate's name. In Palm Beach, the punch hole for Pat Buchanan was to the left of his name. Florida Law stipulated the Democratic Party, having the second largest votes for the last election for Governor of Florida, must be placed second. The punch hole for Pat Buchanan was second.

The Palm Beach ballot was a flagrant illegal ballot. This is the problem. The "State" in the form of Palm Beach County conducted an illegal election based upon an illegal ballot.

In effect, the entire community of Palm Beach was refused their rights as citizens of a Democracy to legally vote. Let us look at the reasons being given to disregard this problem.

"The ballot was reviewed and approved": How does anyone have the right to disregard Florida Law? Do we only follow laws that are convenient or comfortable? Where would that lead us?

"It was an unintentional mistake like others made in other states": If someone died, it would be called "manslaughter" which is still a crime.

"It is best we get this behind us": The definition for "Communism" is "one for all". Should the citizen in Palm Beach who had his/her vote tossed out because of an illegal ballotkeep quiet for the good of everyone else in Palm Beach County? Should the rights of the one be second to the interests of the many?

"It is in the National interest": The definition for fascism is "all for the State". If we sweep the Palm Beach problem and other similar illegal voting throughout the nation under the rug for the good of National Interest, we are no longer acting as citizens of a Democracy. Everyone is giving up their individual rights for the benefit of the State.

"We are the laughing stock of the world": If we stand up, say a mistake was made that took away the rights of American Citizens of Palm Beach, call for a legal election, pay the price and do it right as citizens of a Democracy, the likes of which the world has never seen before,...the laughter will stop.

For those who doubt our resolve to maintain America as a sound and powerful Democracy, we must send the resounding and unequivocal message that illegal voting will not be tolerated in the United States. Look beyond the politics and look to your responsibilities as citizens of Democracy. Too many people have died to give and protect the right to vote.

There is a poem about Nazi Germany that talks about doing nothing when they came for the mentally ill...and then the gays...then the handicapped...then the Gypsies....then the Jews...and then the rest of the world. Let us not give reason for a future poem that starts out: "When they refused the citizens of Palm Beach the right to legally vote, I did nothing...."

Am I being overly dramatic? Where do you draw the line? Democracy is not for the weak of heart, or those who are not willing to be always vigilant. Legal voting is not only your right as an American citizen, it is your obligation to protect as a citizen of a Democracy.

July 5, 2001: Since writing the above, even more blatant problems in Florida have been uncovered. Luckily, there are people who have developed a website that allows you to effortless let your voice be heard on all issues. For all concerned citizens, take a good look at http://www.workingforchange.com/ and especially the "Activism" section http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/index.cfm.

For the issue concerning Florida elections, please see http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ItemId=11490

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