Letters To The Editor

Government and politics

Faulty election unacceptable

It is preposterous to think that 19,000-plus voters in Palm Beach County are too old, too senile and too stupid to figure out how to vote for their preferred candidate. If the numbers are that out of whack with 66 other Florida counties, something is flawed and it deserves to be checked out thoroughly. If the shoe were on the other foot, Gov. George W. Bush would ask for the same courtesy and would deserve it. Steve Berde Spokane

Problem is media, clueless voters

In response to a couple of letters in Saturday’s paper, Ken A. Rogers (“End the projections, predictions”), no, you are not alone. You expressed my sentiments exactly, so you have at least one other guy on your side. Even if they can or do accurately project the winner, big deal. Just how does this benefit society? Yes, it’s time to put some restrictions on election reporting.

And Wesley Storer (“Infamous ballot looks OK to me”), I’m with you. I, too, saw a sample of the Florida ballot and can’t really see the problem. Each box, with however many names in it, has an arrow pointing directly to the hole that is to be punched. Not just pointing to it but running right up to the edge of it. So what’s to understand? Maybe those who can’t figure it out and don’t bother to ask are too stupid to be allowed to vote anyway. They should be kept in mind, however, for use as potential jurors for the prosecution in any future litigation against McDonald’s or the tobacco companies for self-inflicted injuries. Keith Cotter Coeur d’Alene

Whatever it takes, get count right

Republicans are screaming for Vice President Al Gore to give it up and take it like a man. Voters, do you actually believe if the shoe was on the other foot that the Bush camp would act any differently? Who’s kidding who?

What I really want to know is, where does the American citizen come in during this display of immature name calling? The voters who turned out in record numbers to cast their ballot. The voters who cast their ballot believing in democracy and the representative republic in which they reside. The voter who was totally sick of the billions of dollars spent on the election by both parties and sick of all their special interest contributors.

I remember so vividly my eighth grade civics class. Mrs. Griffith, the toughest teacher in school, told us, “When you get old enough to vote, your vote will help shape the democracy in which you live.” That’s all any voter can ask in this great country - that their vote will help shape the country in which they live and that it will be counted. If there is the slightest doubt that your vote is not being counted or interpreted as you intended, any election committee should do something about it. Partisanship be damned - and that goes for both parties. You see, Mrs. Griffith, I didn’t forget. James A. Nelson Spokane

Tricky ballot really child’s play

Concerning the “confusing” ballot controversy in Florida, our granddaughter startled all of us. She will be 7 next month and taught herself to read. She has no experience with voting, ballots or the like. Her dad showed her the ad on page A15 of the Nov. 11 Spokesman-Review and with no coaching, asked, “Can you vote for Mr. Gore?” She looked for about two seconds, then correctly colored in the proper punch circle for Gore. Then he asked her to vote for Bush. She promptly colored in the punch circle for Bush.

If a 6-year-old can so quickly and correctly follow the ballot instructions, why are a bunch of Democrats so utterly confused by the same thing? In kids’ games, they can call “overs” but voting isn’t a game! Dan Lemke Spokane

Get vote tally complete, correct

On this Veteran’s Day I support any effort for a complete and accurate accounting of all votes cast in Florida and elsewhere. It is essential for the legitimacy of the next president, whoever he may be. I also protest the Electoral College system. In an essentially one-party state such as Idaho, it means that my wife and I, who between us have nearly a century of residence in this area, are effectively disenfranchised for the rest of our lives if we vote for a non-Republican candidate. This is not democracy and this is not what I served in Vietnam for. Cleve D. Shearer Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Gore can gain by conceding

There is no honor in politics today. So I did not vote. But there is no honor in apathy either. For like the patriot in the movie, a character Mel Gibson played splendidly, I cannot sit and watch what those patriots died for become ugly and dishonorable.

Vice President Al Gore holds within his decision the fate of this great nation. Will he drag this nation down with his pride? Or will he humbly, for the greater good of all, concede? He alone holds the power to influence not just this election but elections to come for many years.

Gore can restore in me that my one vote would have counted and give the gift of his humble concession to Bush. There is no dishonor in defeat, if you do it right. If Gore does this, his legacy will last far longer than the dishonor done by others. Jeri Cass Newport, Wash.

Gore right to take exception

With votes cast under suspicious irregularities in the Florida elections, we can’t just give the election to Gov. George Bush and move on. Why criticize voters in Florida and Vice President Al Gore for not conceding the election? Florida needs to resolve this and make sure things are done right, so what’s the big hurry?

Until the Electoral College convenes in December, we have plenty of time for process. Our country and the world is watching to see how our republic will act.

Yes, voting is a less than perfect system. But it’s critical that Florida voters are satisfied that their intended votes were counted. Floridians know better than any of us what happened in Palm Beach County and from the voice of a county commissioner, individual voters and Pat Buchanan himself it is clear the election was not fair for those voters.

This isn’t about Gore, a candidate trying to get a win, as Bush wants us to believe. It is about our citizens. Shame on Bush for his caustic remarks against Gore. Shame on him for pressing for his crowning. Shame on him for acting like a president-elect under these circumstances. Shame on him for criticizing the legal processes that need to take place in Florida.

Hats off to Gore for requesting his legal right to a recount. Karen Contardo Spokane

Democrats stuck on the low road

It’s beyond comical watching Al Gore’s supporters cry foul and file lawsuits in Florida regarding the “confusing” ballot issue, even though a Democrat county official approved the design prior to the election.

These same people do not seem concerned that their own campaign workers allegedly used cigarettes to bribe homeless people into voting for Gore in one state or that a partisan judge illegally held polls open in another state so large numbers of union workers could vote for Gore after the polls should have been closed.

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri has what I consider the most valid legal issue of all to contest. Our Constitution states that a person elected senator must be an inhabitant of that state. Ashcroft’s opponent was Gov. Mel Carnahan, who was killed in a tragic plane accident just prior to the election. His name remained on the ballot and he won. I’m not sure where Carnahan is now but he is clearly no longer a resident of Missouri.

Unlike Gore officials, however, Ashcroft took the high road. He conceded the election, in effect to Carnahan’s widow, rather than file a legal appeal I’m sure he would have won.

This is the second time in the last two years (remember that impeachment thing?) that high-level Democrats have had to choose between ethical action and winning at any cost. The Clinton legacy is still alive and well. Hal R. Dixon Spokane

Duh or blah? What a joke

Had there been a clear-cut choice between our Republican and Democratic presidential candidates this election would have been decided long before the polls closed Tuesday night. Trouble is, no one knows who is worse, Gov. George Bush or Vice President Al Gore - perhaps the two most featureless candidates this nation has ever had.

I hear now that Gore is prepared to litigate if he doesn’t win. Well, perhaps the lawyers can determine who the next president is. They can’t do any worse of a job than the trailer-park residents in Florida whose ballots are being recounted.

Finally, politics has become what I always thought it was - a joke! Dave Holmes Coeur d’Alene

Evil alliance at work here

Divide and conquer is an algorithmic technique but it is also an effective modus operandi long practiced by warring factions and is evident in today’s political arena. Every conceivable tool is being utilized by the media and the Democratic Party to wrench victory from the jaws of defeat. They have tried to influence voting results by prematurely and falsely announcing victories, casting doubt on the validity of a ballot plus inciting a near riot with their inflammatory words and actions.

Who’s kidding whom? Even a child could figure out the extremely simplistic ballot used in Florida.

This divisiveness will only continue to drive a wedge between the people of our country. I do, however, have to acknowledge the brilliant deceitfulness of the above parties, as they don’t miss a trick trying to mold public opinion.

Unfortunately, too many people are susceptible to their mind-control practices. They have even managed to convince the populous that the Democrats are responsible for the current prosperity, when it is a Republican Congress that has held the purse strings, not the donkey party and its immoral lackeys. They are also apparent students of Sun Tzu’s writings, as he stated, “All warfare is based on deception and he will conquer who has learnt the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.”

We have been witness to eight years of the worst political duplicity endured in recent history and once again have provided fodder for the world’s derision. Tom Hayes Spokane

Bush gets ahead of himself

I understand the Bush campaign has begun the process of assuming the presidency by putting his transition team in place. Given that the Florida vote is so close, that the final vote is not certified and that the courts are still weighing the validity of the Florida vote, this seems to me an almost treasonous act.

On top of that, the fact that Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote suggests that Gov. George W. Bush is a man with no regard for the will of the people. For until we the people have spoken, nobody assumes the presidency in this nation. Period.

Both candidates should back off and let the people speak and the courts decide. The people and the rule of law are supreme. Spin doctors and politicians are not. Guy E. Larson Newport, Wash.

Gore should hang in there

Vice President Al Gore would do the country no favor by conceding the election when the results are in doubt. If it means having a revote in Palm Beach County, Fla., to resolve the issue, so be it. Too much is at stake for there to be any doubt about who really won the presidency.

Of course, The Spokesman-Review endorsed Gov. George Bush, so your paper’s attitude is not surprising. But Gore will suffer no backlash by insisting that the real will of the people be known and respected.

If Republicans want to challenge the results in Iowa and New Mexico, let them do just that. Their threats don’t frighten me and they should not deter Gore. Marian Hennings Spokane

Electoral College a keeper

I am concerned with the rhetoric I have been hearing in the aftermath of the presidential election. Some are saying that our system is not working and is antiquated. Students of history are excited about this election because it proves that our system does work - that every person’s vote counts.

If the United States were to do away with the Electoral College, as some have suggested, the high-populationdensity urban areas and the big states would be in complete control over who is elected president. Rural areas and small states would not have a significant impact on the outcome. The vote of every American counts under the current system. As a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington, I would like my vote to matter. Kathleen I. Wilson Spokane

Bush should ask for revote

As an American voter who respects our democratic system, I feel Gov. George W. Bush is morally bound to call for a revote in the places in Florida where confusing ballots made voting difficult.

Any person who would lead America as president and says “I trust the people” should be happy to allow concerned citizens to vote their mind. Someone who says he wants to “restore honor and dignity to the White House” should not allow himself to come to power in such a questionable and possibly illegitimate way.

Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote; George Bush should acknowledge that every step should be taken to ensure the true will of the American people is heard.

We have to look at why we vote in the first place - to express our desire for how the country should be governed. If thousands of people say they were not able to accurately express themselves, it should be our moral obligation to make sure this is corrected. Thomas D. Keenan Coeur d’Alene

Democrats being too one-sided

I, like many others across the nation, am very frustrated and upset by the current election dilemma. I can’t believe all of the posturing and stalling by the Democrats. Do they really believe the American people don’t know that if the tables were turned, they’d be telling Gov. George Bush to “be a man and just accept what the Electoral College has decided,” or something along those lines. When will it be acceptable? When they win? When will it end? Cindy Talley Coeur d’Alene

So, where’s the reaching across?

During this election campaign, Gov. George Bush promised to be a different kind of leader in Washington, D.C. He promised to end the gridlock associated with partisan bickering. The election dilemma in Florida could have been a proving ground for this kind of leadership and Bush has failed miserably.

When allegations arose that some voters were turned away from the polls due to the color of their skin, a real leader would have demanded an inquiry into the matter. Bush should have volunteered to work with the Gore campaign, the state of Florida as well as civil rights leaders in resolving this matter.

Instead, Bush is acting in total self-interest as he wants to be president, not the leader of a working democracy. This kind of “leadership” diminishes our country’s standing in the world. What nondemocratic country could respect the demands of a President Bush to hold free and democratic elections?

Bush should live up to his campaign promises and exhibit real leadership in resolving the election dispute in a fair, free and democratic manner. Democracy demands it! Jesse A. Hansen, III Spokane

Follow law, be calm; It will be OK

There’s a lot of news coming out of Florida and not much of it is good. Rev. Jesse Jackson and other chanting, placard-waiving demonstrators are making fools of themselves and of our country.

The lawsuits are unfortunate. None of them are apt to improve the situation for any voter, any candidate or the country.

The declarations of Gore campaign chief Bill Daley and Republican Party Chairman Jim Nicholson make me ill. There is nothing to be ashamed of in having a poorly designed ballot. Both Democrats and Republicans looked at it and approved it. They were probably both wrong but probably not evil.

There is nothing to be ashamed about if even a large number of people failed to accurately express themselves in the voting booth. Just make sure that the same mistake doesn’t happen again.

Florida law calls for a recount under certain conditions. If the conditions are met, do the recount. Both sides should watch closely and make sure that it is done as correctly as humanly possible.

Neither Gov. George W. Bush nor Vice President Al Gore is going to be a perfect president but the country will survive. It survived Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson, to name just a couple of our recent more challenged statesmen. It will also probably survive Bill Clinton.

And it will survive a few days delay in finding out who we get for the next quadrennium. Paul J. Allison Spokane