What Do Dog Attacks, School Shootings, and Election Theft Have in Common?    Spring 2001
	Page 3 We continue to look everywhere but in the mirror for the root of our problems. Yet, when all is said and done, it is we, the People, that shape our nation.
		It is hard to image that G.W. Bush would have become the GOP nominee, let alone finagle the election, were all voters truly aware of his dismal record as governor of Texas. Or if they had looked into his prior history, including being AWOL from Guard and refusing to give account as well as other questionable dealings like Funeralgate, unanswered questions about drugs, about character, and lack of experience but not connections. Likewise, had more voters been aware of Al Gore’s 24 years of mostly stellar service to the nation, with only the one hiccup that the corporate media exploited with glee, and the fact that most of his so-called exaggerations were fabrications by the media and Bush campaign. Granted, he still won the popular vote, but it would have been a landslide and Florida would not have been an issue if more voters had participated in becoming thoroughly informed of the stark difference between the two candidates. Nonetheless, Election Day came and Florida happened. Granted much of the problems in Florida (and other states) had to do with serious civil rights infringements. This cannot be overstated. Nor can it be ignored. However, a portion of the problems would never have happened if voters had taken responsibility for their actions. This means being responsible in determining that they were prepared to exercise their right to vote. How should they have done this? First, by taking an active role in finding out well before Election Day that they were in fact registered to vote (calling or visiting their voter’s registration office to get verbal and/or written verification). Second, voters should have been familiar with the ballot before entering the booth. This means studying the ballot prior to Election day to ensure they understood where the candidates were listed and where to punch. By all accounts, thousands of voters reported various problems the day of the election. Further, it seems that many of the complaints should have been handled and solved on Election Day but for failure of the system. Yet a percentage of the complaints would not have occurred had the voters been more prepared. Whether one believes most of the voter registration and ballot problems were coincidental or part of a conspiracy the fact remains that some problems could have been prevented. Had Palm Beach county voters for Al Gore taken responsibility to be prepared ahead of time, they would have known that his name was listed second, but the hole to punch appeared to be third. The best outcome of being responsible would have meant the ballot would have been corrected, but at the very least it would have helped to put voters on alert to be extra careful when making their selections. Had Democratic party representatives in Palm Beach County taken the time to examine and think about the butterfly ballot prior to the election, perhaps it never would have been used. Had the thousands of voters who were listed as dead or whose names did not show as being registered via license registry not relied on the State, and had been responsible for their voting rights, they would have made phone calls prior to election day to verify their status. Most of us are now finding out that the problems in Florida happen in nearly every election. How is that? How can poll workers, election officials, and other public officials allow voters to be disenfranchised year after year, election after election? How can so many have been so irresponsible for so long? I would like to believe that the Florida fiasco was more a blessing than a curse. That it will serve as a catalyst to motivate Americans to take a more active, more responsible role in our representative democracy. I would like to believe the ongoing investigations into the 2000 presidential election will force implementation of fair and equal voting procedures nationwide. Of course, I had hoped Columbine would have caused a massive public outcry for change. I had hoped it would have motivated our elected representatives to initiate stricter gun laws and enforcement, curb the steady stream of violence that is targeted to kids, and give more emphasis to quality education, daycare, and positive ways to nurture our kids. Barring this, I had hope we would have thrown the bums out! It has not happened thus. I still have hope, but I fear it is not enough. We are a people submerged in a sea of irresponsible bliss. We are shocked and saddened from time to time by waves of violence and injustice yet we quickly dive back into forgetfulness. Our escapism does not change the fact that we are a nation that continues to lose its humanity one bullet and one ballot at a time. ### About the author: Degreed in Political Theory and Broadcast & Cinematic Arts, Ms. McKay has written and produced for CBS, CableVision, Wcities, and Alta Vista/MyWay.  Her writings on Coup2K, renewable energy, Medicaid, and progressive taxation have appeared in national, regional, and local publications. An activist for progressive health care and tax reform, nonviolence, and human rights, her work has included organizing the largest anti-war demonstrations in Tennessee in 2001 and 2002, beginning 12 months before Not in Our Name, MoveOn, and other national groups got on board and mass national demonstrations began .  She has worked with MoveOn.org, Code Pink, WAND, and ANSWER.  She is currently writing and organizing around progressive health care reform and  pitching her speculative socio-political thriller novel, "Eli Beight." slmckay.com