As you know, I have long been a proponent of public discussion and debate.  I have freely offered Voice of the Voters radio/internet with even extended time from preceding program if needed...or supported any other venue. None of the big groups supporting HR 811 will accept, though several well-respected election integrity advocates who have raised serious concerns are
willing to come on the program.

Something is very wrong when one cannot stand up in public and have discussion/debate with those who have differing views.

One of the most well-known groups in full favor of HR 811 said wait till after mark up ... well after mark up, comment was "it's too late"!

When is saving this country too late ... when is honest respectful discussion not accepted in this country? One argument is that it would show divisiveness of EI community and give ammo to enemies ... baloney ... they already know we're divided. As to more ammo ... silence gives greatest weapon. This is too important an issue to allow silence!

Not only should we have discussion/debate among those of common higher interests but differing on "what" needs to be done ... but we should be DEMANDING that Congress have complete open discussion on problems in OUR election system ... should be televised and should hear from citizens who have been impacted as well as others.  This issue is in fact ABOVE Congress ... it's about the very right which insures our self-governing and their own election by US!

As I have said before ... The real purpose of elections and voting is NOT the selection of candidates to represent us …that is a result. The ultimate and true purpose is the exercise of our duty to share together in the process of self-governance.

I suggest that we have a two-prong discussion/debate ... first among activists but more importantly demand that Congress do so before the American people ... and before ANY bill is voted upon.  I would also ask that there be a discussion of the overarching framework which should spell out core identity/principles about voting ownership etc., which in turn should be the
framework within which any action steps are developed and evaluated. Right now we are jumping to symptom fixes ... which will lead to more problems!

Here is a letter we previously sent Congress ... I suggest it be updated and a major campaign be built around it ... the Vote belongs to the People ... it is time we were directly involved in the process overseeing it. Lincoln said, "Elections belong to the people. It is their decision."

It's time to make it OUR decision ... or we will get far worse than the rest of Lincoln's quote: "If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."

Open Letter to Congress:
A call for open Congressional hearings before voting on election reform legislation