Search Results for: Voting

Safe, Secure, Trustworthy Voting – It Is Here for the Taking

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Three States Show Us How It Is Done – Russians Be Damned!

We Know What Works

We have talked before about how Washington and Oregon have responsive, secure, and low-cost voting systems. This happened because Democrats and Republicans decided this was important. They worked together to make it happen. Voter turnout  is unimaginably higher than in other states. Stacey Abrams is continuing that effort in Georgia and nationwide, as are others.

Add to that list of states doing it right, Colorado, a state whose 2018 elections were models of effectiveness in every measurable area.

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It’s One Day AFTER Voting. Time to Go a Better Way.

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What Was Old is New Again. We Have Better Way to Confront our Voting Challenges.

 

Well, it’s the morning after the election. We all need a bit of time to process what went down, so more on that in our next edition. In the meantime, let’s take a good look at how we vote in this country.

Not all that long ago, when voting machines came to be the norm in much of the country, I was on board. Digital/optical scanners and electronic tabulations were the way to go.

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Welcome Home, America: Observations of a Voting Site Volunteer

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Spend Some Time at a Polling Place. You Will See Much to Feel Good About.

For several elections, we  turned our home into a campaign house. From late Summer through election day we rearranged the entire house. We set up distribution of canvasser materials and training areas. We established reporting stations and break area for returning canvassers. While it was a crazy set up to live in the midst of, we found it a very satisfying contribution to democracy.

But we are not doing a campaign house this year. Instead, I am at early voting sites,

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Ten Short Notes

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A Lot Is Going On. Let’s Keep Track, Even Of The Ones Easy To Miss

Minnesota Leads the Way – But Do Not Be Fooled

The people of Minneapolis and many others who came to support them have done it right; we should all be inspired. But understand this is far, far from over. The Administration took a bit of a bloody nose and is making noises about easing back a bit, but the evidence is pretty thin. There are still thousands of federal forces in Minneapolis (and in lots of other places). Some confrontational methods seem less used,

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Murder in Minneapolis

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Murder, And So Much More

We all would rather talk about anything other than what is going on in Minnesota and elsewhere, but we really do not have that option, do we? This cannot stand and only the citizenry – you and I – can stop it.

As Bad As It Could Be

Renee Nichole Good was shot 3 times and denied medical assistance as she died in the front seat of her car.

Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the local VA hospital was shot as many as 10 times. When medical personnel arrived,

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Up and Coming Leaders

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Trump’s Lame Duck Phase May Be Off To An Early Start. Who Is On The Rise?

Political Timing

A lot of people quite naturally are wondering who is most likely to be the Democratic candidate in 2028 and who will carry the Republican banner. The reality is that this sort of thing generally does not begin sorting itself out until the preceding midterms (2026 for this round) is complete.

But given all the turmoil and issues around Trump, positioning may start a bit early this time around. In fact, candidates for presidential nominations actually do,

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What A Week This Is

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No Shortage Of Potential Big Deal Events In These Days

Are We A Day Late?

Yes, we are a day late. This blog normally posts on Tuesday, but we had some technical speed bumps and in any case, it seemed better to wait a day to see what the elections developed. Boy, did those elections have an impact! Glad we waited to communicate. We have a lot to reflect upon.

Elections

Three local elections took place this week that have national implications. They are the governorship of VA and of NJ, and the mayor’s race in New York City.

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Why The Coming Midterm Elections Are More Important Than Ever

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Think About A Dress Rehearsal For A Coup

Our Vocabulary Is Changing, As Is Our Reality

People tend to be a little loose in the definition of political and social terms, especially when in a fight over an important issue. Trump and friends are quick to call anyone they disagree with communists. In an earlier time, some leftists and progressives were quick to call opponents reactionaries or fascists. It is easy to go overboard in describing others.

But in following the text of Project 2025, statements from throughout the Trump administration, and watching what actions are being taken – with the full support of far too many Republican legislators and officials – times have changed.

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WHAT YOU GET WHEN ONE ISSUE GROUPS PUT UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE IN CHARGE

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The Musk Mess Is Epically Destructive – And Completely Predictable

The Musk & Company Cuts

People are, at different paces and levels of attention, are beginning to figure out that the chainsaw cuts in government generated by DOGE are about as ineffective – and stupid – as one could imagine. Even people who really would like to see large government cuts are slowly but surely figuring out none of this works as it is being done.

A couple of framing thoughts to keep in mind.

First, the idea of looking for opportunities to increase government efficiency and to save costs is never a bad idea.

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There Is A Champagne Shortage

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No, Not Here. In Moscow and Beijing

“I Can’t Believe Our Good Luck”

That must be the phrase being repeated daily in the capitals of Russia and China. In just the first couple of weeks, the Republican administration has gone to a European security conference and first offered up everything the Russians could hope for out of Ukraine, with nothing demanded in turn. Our new not ready for prime time Defense Secretary was a one man disaster at the conference. He was clueless as to what the situation demanded. So much for American leadership.

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