are ones that keep getting made year after year: to lose weight, to stop
smoking, to curb our temper, to listen better, to spend only what we have.
What do all of these resolutions have in common? They're hard. If they were
easy, they would slip off the list into a growing "mission accomplished"
file. It gets a little depressing to realize that the list remains
virtually unchanged; the only difference is we're a year older, still
smoking, not as thin as we might like, spending too much, etc. etc. etc.
Well, I have a suggestion. I propose a New Year's resolution that's doable,
won't cost you any money or even much time. And, you'll feel good after you
do it. I promise. Is that a good deal or what?
Here's the scoop. Many of us out there are very concerned about the
direction our country is headed. Our dread worsened after November 2004.
While we had misgivings about the elections, our fellow citizens in the
mainstream press and our political leadership seemed either oblivious, AWOL
or both. With the various revelations since then, the Conyers Report, the
Downing St. Memos, the GAO report on electronic voting machines, the Dec.
13th authorized "hack" in Leon County, Florida, it's gotten easier to
convince people that we're not lefty loonies or sour grapeniks. There
really is something to worry about.
But, the fact remains, that the public at large does not have access to
important reference material. If they don't hear about it on the radio, watch
it on TV or read it in their newspapers, it didn't happen. I want you to call/visit your local library and make a purchase request for the following three items:
Presidential Election", Academy Chicago Publishers, 2005
2. "Invisible Ballots: A Temptation for Electronic Vote Fraud", DVD,
America Media. Available through www.invisibleballots.com
3. "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: the truth about corporate cons,
globalization, and high-finance fraudsters" by Greg Palast. As Mr. Palast
points out, "make sure people request my 'election edition' paperback from
Penguin -- not the old hardbound." The reason: there is an extra chapter
not found in the earlier editions.
4. For extra credit: "Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They'll Steal the Next One Too (Unless We Stop Them)" by Mark Crispin Miller, Basic Books.
This is totally within your rights as a tax-payer. People do it all the
time. You can make a difference. As a result of your action, your neighbors will have the opportunity to educate themselves. Once people are well-informed, they can break out of their apathy and mobilize for change. Then, we can work together to restore the values which made our country great and our democracy viable.
Write me and let me know that you followed through. I'll thank you personally.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
