That count is now under the century mark until millions of Americans go to the polls in what can easily be argued will be our most important presidential election in decades. With what many historians agreeing has been the worst eight-year stretch our country has been through presidentially from 2000-2008, I can only hope people will take this election seriously when they go into their voting precinct this fall.
Afterall, we have been through two terms of a president who at best has been a disaster and at worst who was never elected legitimately to begin with. Remember, Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000. That cannot be disputed. There is also mounds of evidence which show he really did not win the state of Florida eight years ago. Even with his brother as Governor of the state, a Florida Secretary of State who acted unethically by working for his campaign and by helping to illegally purged voters from the register (it has been documented over and over folks if you care to take the time to look at the evidence), independent studies have shown if a complete recount was conducted in Florida, Gore would have won.
The 2000 election is over, however. While there should have been an uproar from Americans over this injustice, most went about their daily lives as if nothing happened. Why did so many people sleep walk through this miscarriage of justice? Your guess is as good as mine.
A similar injustice occurred in 2004, only this time in the state of Ohio with a similar unethical Republican Secretary of State. Once again, the evidence is there for those who care to read about it, research it and look beyond what is told to you on FOX News.
Numerous books written by award-winning political journalists, college professors and those who follow the election process for a living have outlined how these two elections were decided under the shadiest of circumstances. Yet, where is the outcry from the people? Where is the demand for justice?
It’s nowhere to be found just like it’s nowhere to be found when Bush pushed the unconstitutional Patriot Act, not once, but twice. It’s nowhere to be found just like when Bush wants to illegally spy on Americans, going against the very grain of the Bill of Rights. This is the president who once said afterall, “this would be much easier if it were a dictatorship.”
For me, I’ve had it with the two parties which for the most part have very few differences. As I’ve stated in the past I’ve joined the Bob Barr crusade. Barr, who is the Libertarian candidate for president, has also seen enough although he comes from the other side of the aisle. Barr is a former Republican who saw personal liberties trampled on by our current president and had to take a stand. Like me, Barr said, “Enough is enough.”
I must say it’s been enjoyable to be enthusiastic about a presidential candidate again. It’s been a while since I have really felt that way.
I know a Barr presidency would not mean a violation of civil liberties. I know a Barr presidency would not mean continuing to use our troops to occupy a foreign country. A Barr presidency would mean an end to the unconstitutional FISA bill and Patriot Act and a restoration of Habeus Corpus.
Bob Barr has drawn a line in the sand. I have too. We would love to have you join us.
Chris Bridges is a reporter for The Banks County News. Contact him at 706-367-2745 or e-mail comments to chris@mainstreetnews.com.
Aired December 18, 2000
GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH (R-TX), PRESIDENT-ELECT: I told all four that there were going to be some times where we don't agree with each other. But that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0012/18/nd.01.html
Dear Mr. Bridges:
If you are going to use a quote, please research the quote yourself so that you actually quote the quote. It's also good to use a quote that matches the theme of your editorial. If you researched the quote, you'd see that it has nothing to do with evil President Bush calling up his SS troups, it was said jokingly in reference to the difficulties with bi-partisan efforts after an election. I get it!!
One more thing: I find it really irritating that you don't site specific information in your comment piece. "Numerous books written by award-winning political journalists, college professors and those who follow the election process..." Who exactly are you citing? What books did you read? Or are you just repeating other peoples published comments? I can't believe that the only source you actually cite is the comic book paper USA Today.
I agree with the previous commenter that the BCN needs a conservative voice for politics, both local and national. I would like to read smart, thoughtful, informative pieces on problems with the election process and what we can and should do to protect our rights and freedoms, on the upcoming election, on immigration, etc.