Sunday, November 27, 2011

Don't let Voter Fraud Steal Your Vote

I have an exciting new project that I think will be a lot of fun and rewarding for me.  I wanted to share it with you because I thought you might want to assure yourself that your vote in the next election really counts for something.
 
One thing we all have in common. . . Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, Socialist Party or whatever. . .  we all want our vote to count for something.  We want our voice to be heard.  On this we can all agree.   I have been wasting a lot of time reading and sending along emails that express my frustration but I don't accomplish much except to complain.  I wanted to do something positive that would move us in the right direction.  However, I was not looking to work for one Party or another.    But I wanted to do something constructive that would benefit everyone.  I think you will agree that I have found the perfect way. . .
 
I am going volunteer with a non-partisan organization called Election Integrity Project (www.electionintegrityproject.com/). ; There are 30 Election Integrity Projects located in 30 different States.  Each one independent of the others because each State has different election laws.  The movement was started in Texas and the Texans have worked hard to become good role models for the new Projects.  We all want our vote to count for something.  Every time someone votes more than once or a non citizen votes. . .  my vote no longer counts for anything.  That makes me mad and I plan to do something about it.  If two people vote more than once or two non citizens vote then neither of our votes count for anything.
 
For my very first assignment I will explain why it is much better for you and the integrity of the voting system to vote in person instead of Voting By Mail (VBM).  I know. . . I know. .  voting by mail is very convenient but if it means that my vote won't count then I am going to stop doing it.  Citizens Voting By Mail is the #1 tool for fraud.  Absentee ballots are the most vulnerable to fraud.  They are easy to obtain by fraudulent methods.   They are open to successful multiple registrations and fraudulent voters.  When I vote by mail I have no guarantee that my ballot arrives to be counted untouched, unaltered or arrives at all.  Often times the counting of your Voting By Mail (VBM) ballot is delayed or not even counted!  When you vote by mail your ballot may be considered unworthy of counting because the statistics of the counted votes show the VBMs would make no difference in the outcome!  That is just absurd!  There is no way of predicting the statistics will remain the same from one group of ballots to another.. 
 
Of course if a person is ill or immobile or traveling or in the military then they must Vote By Mail.  But, VMB should be limited to those who have no other choice.  But they should be the exception not the rule.  Yet some States are considering closing the polls and have all votes by mail or on line. 
 
When you mail in your VBM it must be mailed several days ahead of the election day.  Not only is that contrary to the Constitution but requires that you make your decision before you have all the information.  Something may happen (and often does) two days before the election that may change your mind but unfortunately you have already cast your ballot and it is too late to change it.
 
Voting in person while less convenient has these important advantages.  It is a deterrent to fraudulent votes.  One thing I had never thought of was that it guarantees my privacy.  Your name appears on the VBM.  Anyone who comes in contact with it can see how you voted.  When I vote in person I know my vote is submitted without alteration.  I know that my choices are private and I am assured that my vote  will be counted and counted promptly.  Also I vote with the assurance that I have all the current information humanly possible.  I enjoy going to the polls to vote.  I feel the power of being a part of the community.  It is a feeling of pride as the neighborhood exercise its rights to cast our ballot as each of us sees fit.
 
So I hope you will join me making your vote count for something by going to polls to vote IN PERSON!   And if you decide you want to help the Election Integrity Project in your State clean up the Voter Rolls and provide well trained Poll Workers, here is their website again www.electionintegrityproject.com/
 
Thanks for listening.  I will keep you posted how it goes.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Bugs in bed

I received email about the bed bug epidemic taking place in America.  After some research I found that the email is partial true.  There is a growing bed bug epidemic but the conclusions of the email are not exactly true.  

If you are concerned about bed bugs, here are three pretty good web sites I found that you can explore for yourself:  www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/bedbugs.asp (skip the " example" and go right down the page to the "origins", www.medicinenet.com/bed_bugs/article.htm, http://www.badbedbugs.com/.

Please, I would welcome your comments.  If you don't know how to comment go to the article listed under Archive, top right corner, October, How to post a comment.    

Monday, October 11, 2010

Is Socialism Really So Bad?

It is my hope that this subject will cause some debate between my readers.

Does America seem to be "socialophobic" to you? I asked myself about Socialism and I realized that I had pretty much forgotten all I had learned in school about Socialism.  I hadn't really thought about it lately. The mention of Socialism just causes me a knee jerk rejection; bad, bad bad. So I thought I would try to answer the question, "is Socialism really so bad and if so why"?

I made several failed attempts before I found a way to present this information to you. It seemed overwhelming. So I will make a few comments on my conclusions and include the best of the web sites that I used for research so you may judge for yourself.


Definition of SOCIALISM by Merriam Webster
1: 
any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property

b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
First Known Use of SOCIALISM  1837


The Founding Fathers knew that private property is key to our freedom.

Socialism does not allow the owning of private property.  It is difficult for me to imagine not even dreaming of owning my own home.  And what about my sewing machine?  My automobile?  Would I be expected to share my jewelry? 
 
One of the finest sources that I found on Socialism comes from the Illinois State University. It is an easy read and very comprehensive. (lilt.i/stu.edu/rrpope/rrpopepwd/articles/communism.html)


Definition of COMMUNISM by Merriam Webster
1  a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2: a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

Origin of COMMUNISM
French communisme, from commun common
First Known Use: 1840


In the Soviet Union the Communist Party owned all industry, and property. The Party advocates the nationalism of banks, railroads and industries. (The railroads?. . . . maybe not such a bad thing.)  The Party is also in favor of one global government. (hummmm. . ..  I don't think so).  The Communist Party believes that the American people can replace capitalism with a system that puts people before profit - socialism.  Everyone who wants to work should be guaranteed a job or get unemployment payments until she/he can find a job.

 
A good source of information about the Communist Party can be found at http://www.cpuusa.org/.


I concluded that as a conscience, Socialism has some merit.  Pure Socialism is well-meaning if misdirected.  The Socialistic ideas may have made our Democracy better.  But Socialism works against human nature.  Even a two year old  baby wants to "own" things.  "Mine, mine, mine!"  We can use our will to go against human nature but it is unsustainable.  Eventually we will tire and have revolution. 

Please, I would welcome your comments.  If you don't know how to comment go to the article listed under Archive, top right corner, October, How to post a comment.     

How to Comment on a blog

Some have been having trouble leaving a comment on my blog.  I don't blame you.  :-\  I needed to do some experimentation to figure out how it works myself. 


The major problem is that it can fool you into thinking that your comment has been posted and it hasn't.  So here is some insight.

The site won't accept the comment unless you are identified or post under "anonymous."  You need to make a choice. 

When making the choice for "Comment as:  select profile" your choices are
     Google Account  (put in your google account info here)  OR
     Live Journal       (put in your Live Journal info here)  OR
     Word Press       (put in your Word Press info here)  OR
     Type Pad           (put in your Type Pad info here)  OR
     AIM                  (put in your AIM sign in info here)    OR
     Open ID            (put in your Open ID sign in info here)   OR
     Name/URL        (if you have a web site, put in your name and web address here)
 OR    
     Anonymous        (this is the easiest.  You may sign your name to the comment.

Next - Click "Post Comment." If you chose "anonymous" you move directly to the  "Word verification" request. If you chose any of the services like Google or Word Press you move directly to your sign in page for the service you indicated.   If you are at your service sign in page, sign in.  When you sign in you will be switched to the "Word verification" request.

At "Word verification" request you will see a distorted word that you must type correctly.  This prevents spanners from instantly posting 10,000 comments to my blog.   It proves you are a real person reading the distorted word.  Just type the word in the box below the distorted word and click  "Post Comment"  You should receive a confirmation message.  Your comment should be available immediately.

I suggest you do a practice or test comment.  Just make your comment say "test" and try to post it.  If you are successful I  can remove the test later.  This should insure that you don't spend time writing a comment and then lose it in the process of posting.

Please post any comment you have on how these directions could be clearer.  Thank you for your help and your comments.

The Patriot

Monday, October 4, 2010

Why and How I Created This Blog

I never wanted to be a blogger.  I was born before WWII, so I am technologically challenged.  The terms software, hard drive, IT, digital, memory, motherboards, CPU, HTML, multi-media, dialog box, URL, and scripts are like words from a foreign language.  The term "formatting" caused me the most trouble.  When I first got my computer my son warned me. . .  "never, never, never "re-format" your computer.  But when I went to write my first blog the instructions asked me to "format" my blog.  So before I even started I was blocked!  So what did I do? . . . . I asked for help. . . . and when he stopped laughing my son explained the difference to me and I proceeded.

I got stuck several times before I got this first one published.  But most of the time I went to good old Google for help and Google usually had the answers and I benefited by learning a lot along the way.  Little by little, piece by piece, I learned my way. Now I am feeling good.  ☺ (I just now learned how to make this happy face by going to Google)

Why I am writing a blog
I believe that our Founding Fathers were brilliant in creating the documents that guided our United States of America to being the best and most sought after residence in the world for over 200 years.  During my lifetime I have watched the slow erosion of these documents along with our liberties and our national pride.

So, I have been watching the news and reading my email and passing along outrageous comments and jokes to people who are also dissatisfied with the way our Country is going.  I have been spending a ton of energy preaching to the choir.  Now I want to do something more constructive.  I am going to quit complaining and instead take practical action to make a positive change.

I have given up my reading and forwarding of joke and repetitious rhetorical email.  I will devote my time to this blog to try to make a difference.  I will discuss interesting issues and avoid political personalities.  No slamming of current political figures, please, no matter how tempting.

Some of My Beliefs
In looking for a definition of Conservative I found that there about as many definitions as there are people.  So let me concentrate on what I mean when I refer to myself as a Conservative.  I will borrow from several sources. 

I like this quote from Alexander Pope, "Be not the first by which the new is tried, Nor the last to set the old aside." 

I love facts and want the truth.

While maintaining religious freedom for all, the principals of the US Government must remain true to Judea-Christian values.  This was the intention of our Founding Fathers.
 
With the exception of national security, military, boarders protection, foreign policy and mediation of interstate problems, everything should be left up to individual States.  That means schooling, health, taxes, social services, everything should be guided by each individual State and the people who live within that State. 

I am pro-life but at the same time I believe that the abortion issue is not the government's business.  My tax money should never ever be spent to kill an innocent baby.  I am willing to spend my State taxes to provide homes and care for unwanted children.

I believe American money should be backed with gold bullion.  Good luck with that.

That all for now, folks!

The Patriot