Please get this to Debbie W-S.

[elleng]

I have written the following letter to my congress-critters, and would appreciate it if DUers, our friends, relations, and neighbors do the same. I would like to see and hear of other suggestions, to address this critical issue.

Thanks, all.

'I am a strong supporter, and appreciate the work you're doing now and have done over the years.

A most critical matter has come to my attention, I must share it with you, and I must strongly encourage you to address this matter with ALL your Democratic colleagues, and even Republicans who you think might be receptive.

A recent study has come to light, confirming that Diebold voting machines can be EASILY hacked, for about $26 in equipment and with little technical knowledge.

We CANNOT have another debacle such as we've seen in the past. Its clear Republicans will do whatever they can do to achieve their goals.

Please read the attached, raise the alarm, and protect us from losing our democracy.

Thank you.


http://www.salon.com/news/politics/electio...

[russspeakeasy]

1. You may have the wrong address...she moved to the 3rd party.

[ChiciB1]

2. I Know Debbie Says She's A Democrat... But She's Really, Really

on the "lite" side for me. I'd rather write to Bernie Sanders even IF he's not from here.

Florida is one screwed up state when it comes to voting, MACHINES and all. I do think most of us know it, and many of us FEAR it. But I doubt Debbie will do anything about it.

I don't really have much faith in our voting set up in ANY county in this state. And MY county is one of the very worst. We kind of lost 18,500 under votes and in the end it didn't seem to matter one bit.

You should have attended the fiasco after the election, which was really a FARCE!

[elleng]

3. I don't care for her either, but suggested this due to her DNC role.

Bernie has no clout w 'professional Dems,' whose a**** I think ought to be kicked. This is one of those miseries we're stuck with.

[ChiciB1]

4. Point Taken... I Understand! Stuck Being The Operative Word.

Sometimes I just get riled up a bit too much. I've lived in this state since '71 and have seen so much happen. Actually way back then, there were MANY Democrats here. I believe Reuben Askew was the Governor then if memory serves me correctly.

I'm trying very hard to think of the right words here but am having some trouble. Perhaps it's just that I have no faith in what she may actually do, because I'm not sure what she really WANTS to do. I tend to visualize her with pom-poms in each hand, twirling around in pony tails yelling Rah-Rah-Ree!

Okay, so I'm cranky tonight and I know you're actually trying to present a good idea and it has merit. I just wish we had another band wagon to hitch our dreams to. We're at a place where we have to dance with the ONE that BRUNG you, when we really want the ONE who isn't there.

I don't want to put too much stock in what's going on in NYC and the "movement" that seems to be growing now, but just maybe the time has come when "we the people" are going to rise up. I'm going to the rally in Tampa in support of what will be going on around the country, there are more and more cities joining in. I think getting involved with this could really be more affective than what Debbie "might" do.

But, good on you... I mean no animus.

[elleng]

5. Thanks, Chici; I know you mean no animus.

And I thank you for going to Tampa. I think/hope such actions may be the most effective acts we can take. I'm more often at the point of riled up now than I have been.

And I'm very glad my folks no longer live in Florida.Bob Gra ham was the first Presidential 'candidate' I contributed to, way back when.

[ChiciB1]

6. Sorry I Didn't Get Back To You... Logged Off Last Night To Watch Bill Maher...

And yes, it IS difficult living down here, but it is what it is.

Hope you will be part of the rally where you are. I'm not sure how many will show up down here, but there are several groups coming together for it and that fact is very important. Activism here is lame here when compared to many other parts of the country. Still, I'm doing my best to get the word out and invite others to come along.

Have a good one. It got a "little" cooler down here last night so I'm headed outside to do some landscape work! When it's 85 degrees and low humidity I can handle it better than 99 with high humidity! But, I'll be sweating anyway!

[elleng]

7. Got a 'little' cooler here, too! 52 degrees; had been around 75!!!

[elleng]

8. In response to my letter (above,) Senator Mikulski responded:

Dear Ms. G:

Thank you for getting in touch with me to express your views on touch screen voting. It's great to hear from you.


I share your concerns about the touch-screen voting machines and the lack of a verifiable paper ballot. The foundation of our democracy is built on the fundamental right of every U.S. citizen to vote for the candidate of their choice on Election Day and know their vote counted. I understand the need for strong federal standards and oversight to ensure that the votes of all citizens are counted fairly on Election Day. Your views will be helpful to me should this issue come before the Senate.


Again, thanks for writing. If I can be of any assistance to you in the future, please get in touch with me.


Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator