I realize that the election process in our country has never been perfect, but this year it is a mockery of our very Democracy, our right to vote.  In the end, stripping 210 delegates in one of the largest swing states is the same as punishing voters because of a dispute between the DNC and the Florida Legislature. Yes, I know in the end the Party will select its candidate, but as a registered Florida voter, I believe I have been ignored and disenfranchised.  I am angry!  OMG - It's 2000 all over again. 

What about all these delegate counts?  Let us look at the caucuses for a minute.  I really never quite understood them, so I read how people get together at a planned time and argue about who should be the next presidential candidate.  This is why they are unfair and IMHO also unconstitutional.

They do not represent the majority. Am I the only person who is outraged that the Nevada caucus date completely disregarded Orthodox Jews who explained they cannot vote or even ride in a car on Saturday?  What about the Seventh Day Adventists whose Sabbath is also on Saturday? 

Another reason they're unfair is that most people can't take time off from work to join a caucus. What about all the casino workers in Nevada? Here is one Nevada resident who didn't get a chance to vote. I mean, shouldn't each person get a chance to cast his vote instead of a select few who have an extra 5 or 6 hours to kill?

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7759004

In Iowa only a small portion of the state's population was represented. Some people have very busy schedules or have young children, others work evening shifts, and some just don't have several hours to debate with their neighbors about politics.  The voting process is supposed to be private and each citizen's right to decide.  It should be swift too.  When I was working 10 hour days, I had to get up extra early on Tuesday and rush to the polls to vote, but I was able to do it. I never would have been able to participate in a caucus.  Maybe many people aren't physically capable of participating in a caucus.

I remember the first time I voted.  I was very excited to be part of this wonderful Democracy and went behind that secret curtain to cast my vote.  Maybe a lot of people don't want to sit around and talk to strangers or neighbors about their personal political views. 

In Iowa there are no absentee ballots allowed.  A police officer or fire fighter on duty cannot vote.  If you drive an ambulance, can you leave your shift to join a caucus?  Here is what one blogger said:

http://coldfusion-guy.blogspot.com/2008/01/whats-unfair-about-iowa-caucuses.html

So even the brave men & women abroad can't participate in the primary if you live in a state that doesn't allow absentee ballots.  If you are bedridden you can't vote either.  So, in other words, you don't matter in the primary. 

I live in a state where there are no caucuses, and I felt good about that.  We were allowed to vote as early as 2 weeks before the January 2 primary in Florida.  So I drove to the polls and it took less than 2 minutes since I already had my sample ballot completed.  

The Democratic National Committee says no delegates will be seated.  That's what they told the people in Michigan too.  Their votes don't count either.  Are they really saying "We don't care what you think.  We will make that decision for you."  I signed a petition asking for another primary in Florida.  I know it won't happen, but I also wrote a letter to express my frustration.  Maybe it was a waste of time, but I believe in uniformity in voting procedures.  I believe all citizens, regardless of age, race, social or financial status, Democrat or Republican, deserve equal assurance that their votes are cast in the same way and will be tabulated with equal accuracy.  In other words, we want to be counted.

My Dad voted in every election before he died at 93. The Department of Veteran Affairs gave me an American flag at his grave to honor his service to our country in WWII.  I was raised to honor that flag which stood for freedom, liberty and justice for all. It used to bring tears to my eyes.  Now it is a reminder of the freedoms we've lost. 

We need to be heard and shout from the rooftops that people died for our flag and our rights, which have been trampled upon by the war criminals who sit in Washington. Why aren't we marching in the streets?  Why are we letting a select few run our country?   

The media is also making decisions for us more than ever.  It's obvious which candidate CNN wants to win and it doesn't even pretend to hide its bias.  But that will be on another blog, since I'm tired and well...disenchanted and disenfranchised.

Sorry for the rambling. I was going to edit, but as Pumpi once wrote "A blog isn't a term paper."