The GOP war on voting

[erfalf]

Accident of birth.  You just happen to be one of the lucky one out of 20 on this planet who got those "lottery numbers".


Or do you believe God chose 1 out of every 20 humans to be more special than the other 19??

All I can say is that at least we agree that America is special.

[Townsend]

All I can say is that at least we agree that America is special.

Sometimes helmet special.

[Hoss]

Is this some kind of pattern?

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/breaking-gop-contractor-arrested-for-throwing-voter-registrations-in-dumpster/politics/2012/10/18/51559

[Teatownclown]

Pitter Pattern....

Does the Romney Family Now Own Your e-Vote?

Friday, 19 October 2012 09:12
By Gerry Bello, Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman, Free Press | Report

Do you feel that mainstream media spin is obscuring the truth during this election season? Truthout doesn't take advertising or corporate sponsorships, so we can bring you honest, fact-based election coverage. Click here to help support this effort by making a donation by the end of this week!

A Hart e-Voting Machine. (Photo: Joe Hall / Flickr)
Will you cast your vote this fall on a faulty electronic machine that's partly owned by the Romney Family? Will that machine decide whether Romney will then inherit the White House?
Through a closely held equity fund called Solamere, Mitt Romney and his wife, son and brother are major investors in an investment firm called H.I.G. Capital. H.I.G. in turn holds a majority share and three out of five board members in Hart Intercivic, a company that owns the notoriously faulty electronic voting machines that will count the ballots in swing state Ohio November 7. Hart machines will also be used elsewhere in the United States.
In other words, a candidate for the presidency of the United States, and his brother, wife and son, have a straight-line financial interest in the voting machines that could decide this fall's election. These machines cannot be monitored by the public. But they will help decide who "owns" the White House.
Also see: Will Bain-Linked E-Voting Machines Give Romney the White House?
They are especially crucial in Ohio, without which no Republican candidate has ever won the White House. In 2004, in the dead of election night, an electronic swing of more than 300,000 votes switched Ohio from the John Kerry column to George W. Bush, giving him a second term. A virtual statistical impossibility, the 6-plus% shift occurred between 12:20 and 2am election night as votes were being tallied by a GOP-controlled information technology firm on servers in a basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In defiance of a federal injunction, 56 of Ohio's 88 counties destroyed all election records, making a recount impossible. Ohio's governor and secretary of state in 2004 were both Republicans, as are the governors and secretaries of state in nine key swing states this year.
As we have previously reported, H.I.G. Capital has on its board of directors at least three close associates of the Romney family. H.I.G. Capital directors John P. Bolduk and Douglas Berman are major Romney fundraisers. So is former Bain and H.I.G. manager Brian Shortsleeve. H.I.G. employees have contributed at least $338,000 to Romney's campaign. Fully a third of H.I.G.'s leadership previously worked at Romney's old Bain firm.
But new research now shows that the association doesn't stop with mere friendship and business associations. Mitt Romney, his wife Ann Romney, and their son Tagg Romney are also invested in H.I.G. Capital, as is Mitt's brother G. Scott Romney.
The investment comes in part through the privately held family equity firm called Solamere, which bears the name of the posh Utah ski community where the Romney family retreats to slide down the slopes.
Unlike other private equity firms, Solamere does not invest in companies directly. Instead, Solamere invests in other private equity funds, like H.I.G. Capital. Solamere calls them partners. These partners, like H.I.G., then invest in various enterprises, like Hart Intercivic, the nation's third-largest voting machine manufacturer.
As reported by Lee Fang of The Nation, Solamere was founded by Tagg Romney and Spencer Zwick, Papa Romney's campaign finance chair. Ann Romney and Mitt's brother G. Scott Romney are also invested. Mitt himself threw in $10 million "seed money" to get the fund going, and spoke personally to its first full investors conference. Solamere's public web presence has been reduced to a front page only, so a complete list of it's partners can not be found. But reportage by the New York Times, Boston Globe, Esquire and the Nation have slowly given us a partial picture of which funds are being funded by Solamere. Some $232 million has been raised so far, according to SEC filings and industry publications.
In addition to Romney's finance chair Spencer Zwick, Solamere has also provided the campaign with its finance director, Richard Morley, and a western regional finance coordinator, Kaitlin O'Reilly. O'Reilly is listed as an executive assistant at Solamere, and also at SJZ LLC, which was founded by her boss Spencer Zwick. The SJZ LLC campaign finance consulting firm has billed Mitt's campaign over $2 million this election cycle as well as doing another $9,687,582 in billing to various Congressional Campaigns. The host of the private fundraiser at which Romney made his infamous "47%" speech was Marc J. Leder, co-CEO of Sun Capital, another "partner" of the Solamere fund.
As in virtually every close presidential race, Ohio may well hold the key to the Electoral College decision as to who will become the nation's next chief executive. The presence of Hart Intercivic machines in Hamilton County, home to Cincinnati, means there is a high likelihood the votes that will decide the presidency will be cast on them. Major media like CBS have begun reporting that Cincinnati could be "ground zero" in this year's election.
But these Hart machines are deeply flawed and widely know to be open to a troubling variety of attacks and breakdowns. There is no legal or other means to definitively monitor and re-check a tally compiled on Hart or other electronic voting machines. Ohio's current governor and secretary of state are both Republicans.
Does this mean the Romney investment in Hart Intercivic through H.I.G. Capital and Solamere will yield it not only financial profits but the White House itself?
Tune in during the deep night of November 7, when the electronic votes in swing state Ohio are once again opaquely reported to the nation and the world, without meaningful public scrutiny or legal recourse.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license.

[heironymouspasparagus]

All I can say is that at least we agree that America is special.

I suspect we agree on a lot more than that, it's just some of the things you bring up require so much time for response, so we don't get to explore similarities much.  2nd Amendment as an individual right??

Fiscal conservatism.  I want to know why the Republican party became the party of Sell-outs during Reagan and onward, and stopped working toward a balanced budget amendment?  (I know the answer - they NEVER wanted the actual amendment - just the lemming response attached to that 'position'.)  I want to know why we have incurred such massive debt by such fiscal irresponsibility, outside of a legitimate wartime effort.  (Be careful how you answer these if you choose to do so...I am lurking in the weeds waiting for you!  Remember, rust never sleeps! )  What we as a country has done in the last 30 years due to our unbridled selfishness is an Abomination.  What we have done to our kids - and yes, YOU are one of those included - is unconscionable.  It is despicable.  It is beyond comprehension how 'parents' could do this to their children - everything from the debt to the outsourcing of jobs - the ones kids need when starting out, to the throwing away of 4,000+ lives of your contemporaries - my kids and grandkids - for no more than a frivolous boost to a spoiled little brat's ego to get back for his daddy being a little bit embarrassed.  Abomination!

I am more social liberal - actually probably more libertarian - than you likely are.  I think it is obscene the way we infringe on people's freedom to practice their religion of choice.  I think it is obscene to infringe on people's personal lives in all the ways we do so much of.  I will start working on a list if you are interested....in many ways you are living "The Truman Show" and don't even realize some of what you have lost, since you never had it.

And NO, I don't consider a corporation a "people" as defined by the Constitution or by any other possible rational definition.

[erfalf]

Opened up the journal this morning and no joke, there was a picture of Obama getting ready to vote early in Chicago, and get this, he was showing his ID.

Now that's funny stuff.

[erfalf]

I suspect we agree on a lot more than that, it's just some of the things you bring up require so much time for response, so we don't get to explore similarities much.  2nd Amendment as an individual right??

Fiscal conservatism.  I want to know why the Republican party became the party of Sell-outs during Reagan and onward, and stopped working toward a balanced budget amendment?  (I know the answer - they NEVER wanted the actual amendment - just the lemming response attached to that 'position'.)  I want to know why we have incurred such massive debt by such fiscal irresponsibility, outside of a legitimate wartime effort.  (Be careful how you answer these if you choose to do so...I am lurking in the weeds waiting for you!  Remember, rust never sleeps! )  What we as a country has done in the last 30 years due to our unbridled selfishness is an Abomination.  What we have done to our kids - and yes, YOU are one of those included - is unconscionable.  It is despicable.  It is beyond comprehension how 'parents' could do this to their children - everything from the debt to the outsourcing of jobs - the ones kids need when starting out, to the throwing away of 4,000+ lives of your contemporaries - my kids and grandkids - for no more than a frivolous boost to a spoiled little brat's ego to get back for his daddy being a little bit embarrassed.  Abomination!

I am more social liberal - actually probably more libertarian - than you likely are.  I think it is obscene the way we infringe on people's freedom to practice their religion of choice.  I think it is obscene to infringe on people's personal lives in all the ways we do so much of.  I will start working on a list if you are interested....in many ways you are living "The Truman Show" and don't even realize some of what you have lost, since you never had it.

And NO, I don't consider a corporation a "people" as defined by the Constitution or by any other possible rational definition.

I guess I never saw this post. Personally I think most American's have way more in common than political hacks would have you believe. Politicians look for the tiniest wedge to create a huge divide. We are not dividing ourselves. If you put a random groups of people together, they would work together. Happens every day. Look at what our military members go through and I doubt every one of them thinks in lock step with each other.

You may be a tad more socially liberal/libertarian, but I would argue that I am as well. I have my personal opinions, but I understand that what I believe doesn't stand for everyone. If you want to be gay, be gay. But I don't have to be, nor do I have to like you for it (which I don't care, but it's my right to think what I want to think).

[Hoss]

I guess I never saw this post. Personally I think most American's have way more in common than political hacks would have you believe. Politicians look for the tiniest wedge to create a huge divide. We are not dividing ourselves. If you put a random groups of people together, they would work together. Happens every day. Look at what our military members go through and I doubt every one of them thinks in lock step with each other.

You may be a tad more socially liberal/libertarian, but I would argue that I am as well. I have my personal opinions, but I understand that what I believe doesn't stand for everyone. If you want to be gay, be gay. But I don't have to be, nor do I have to like you for it (which I don't care, but it's my right to think what I want to think).

Wow.  Like you believe people have a choice in the matter?

[TeeDub]

Wow.  Like you believe people have a choice in the matter?

The other day I prayed some gay away.    (Or it could be that she was just walking by.)

[heironymouspasparagus]

You may be a tad more socially liberal/libertarian, but I would argue that I am as well. I have my personal opinions, but I understand that what I believe doesn't stand for everyone. If you want to be gay, be gay. But I don't have to be, nor do I have to like you for it (which I don't care, but it's my right to think what I want to think).

If you "don't like" gay, then you are not socially liberal NOR libertarian.  On at least that one point, you are deeply embedded in the Teabagger BS mentality. 


Epilepsy was targeted in the 50's and 60's and for hundreds if not thousands of years before as "demonic possession" and people born that way were discriminated against and denied basic rights.  Being Native American, African American, Irish, Chinese, unwed mothers, etc, etc has also been targeted for those same hundreds of years here in this country.  Gay just happens to be the latest target of discrimination that we seem to have to indulge in for some reason.

Again, it goes back to that whole "accident of birth" thing.  If you were accidentally born something other than what you are - whatever that is, since I have no information about that - then you would most likely have a viewpoint based on the experience set deriving from the perspective of that particular "accident of birth".

[erfalf]

If you "don't like" gay, then you are not socially liberal NOR libertarian.  On at least that one point, you are deeply embedded in the Teabagger BS mentality.  

I know this is totally childish, but don't you find it a tad inappropriate to use the teabagger when discussing homosexuals?  

In all seriuosness, I didn't say I gave a flip, I said I have the right to give a flip. There is a difference, and a true libertarian would know the difference. Maybe you are more liberal in that you are for gay rights and for smaking sure everybody else agrees with you lock step. That's not libertarian, that's fascistic.

Again, it goes back to that whole "accident of birth" thing.  If you were accidentally born something other than what you are - whatever that is, since I have no information about that - then you would most likely have a viewpoint based on the experience set deriving from the perspective of that particular "accident of birth".

I honestly didn't mean to imply that gays have a choice per say. I meant it in the same vain as if I said there goes Hoss, just being Hoss. Nothing durogatory really. Well...

The point being, I have a preference in lifestyle, I don't force everyone else to conform to me. It's America for pete sake. Not Ericville

[Hoss]

I know this is totally childish, but don't you find it a tad inappropriate to use the teabagger when discussing homosexuals?  

In all seriuosness, I didn't say I gave a flip, I said I have the right to give a flip. There is a difference, and a true libertarian would know the difference. Maybe you are more liberal in that you are for gay rights and for smaking sure everybody else agrees with you lock step. That's not libertarian, that's fascistic.

I honestly didn't mean to imply that gays have a choice per say. I meant it in the same vain as if I said there goes Hoss, just being Hoss. Nothing durogatory really. Well...

The point being, I have a preference in lifestyle, I don't force everyone else to conform to me. It's America for pete sake. Not Ericville

And where the hell are the LGBT communities 'forcing' everyone to conform?  Can you cite one reference?  Remember, it's the 'hetero' religious fanatics who say the gay can 'prayed away' and actually have facilities that claim it does just that.  I don't think I've seen any in the LGBT community going around trying to recruit people or 'pray the hetero away'....

[heironymouspasparagus]

I know this is totally childish, but don't you find it a tad inappropriate to use the teabagger when discussing homosexuals?  

In all seriuosness, I didn't say I gave a flip, I said I have the right to give a flip. There is a difference, and a true libertarian would know the difference. Maybe you are more liberal in that you are for gay rights and for smaking sure everybody else agrees with you lock step. That's not libertarian, that's fascistic.

No.


I'm not just for gay rights - I'm for human rights.  And geez...again...don't you know anything about the Libertarians either??  Since the 70's, they have had an official position of the same rights for gays as for other people.  I wish you would get some...ANY!...information/learning whatever from somewhere OTHER than Fox!!

Tell me in your own words why it is that YOU think that gays should not be accorded equal rights that other people get?  What is YOUR personal opinion/position etc on the topic.  I have told you mine...I think it would be refreshing to get something other than the official position from "The Script"....

[erfalf]

And where the hell are the LGBT communities 'forcing' everyone to conform?  Can you cite one reference?  Remember, it's the 'hetero' religious fanatics who say the gay can 'prayed away' and actually have facilities that claim it does just that.  I don't think I've seen any in the LGBT community going around trying to recruit people or 'pray the hetero away'....

I believe there were a few idiot mayors saying that Chick fil-A's weren't allowed anymore because their opinions didn't comport with those of the city (whatever that means).

I am not by any means defending those people you mention either.

[erfalf]

No.


I'm not just for gay rights - I'm for human rights.  And geez...again...don't you know anything about the Libertarians either??  Since the 70's, they have had an official position of the same rights for gays as for other people.  I wish you would get some...ANY!...information/learning whatever from somewhere OTHER than Fox!!

Tell me in your own words why it is that YOU think that gays should not be accorded equal rights that other people get?  What is YOUR personal opinion/position etc on the topic.  I have told you mine...I think it would be refreshing to get something other than the official position from "The Script"....

I am for human rights. And yes, I know plenty about libertarians, and I don't watch FOX (although I do play FBN and CNBC off each other).



Tell me where I said that I didn't think that they shouldn't get the same rights. I do. Although I disagree greatly on how they are going about it. For example, on the marriage issue, I think they are using the wrong tools to get the desired result. First, the tax code in my opinion needs to be flat and this antiquated notion of giving a tax break for being able to procreate should be banished. Second, marriage (in my opinion) is a religious recognition between two individuals, therefore it should be kept there and not regulated by the state whatsoever. Third, the state's only role will be that of a contractual enforcer. With shared assets, there must be some sort of "contract" between two parties (and only two). Forth, (this is where I am not a legal expert) iron out all the issues regarding privacy issues that prevent gays from hospital visits, records releases and adoptions and whatever else their are different standards for gays.

Again, try having a conversation with me and what I say, not your interpretation of a typical Obama hater.

And to clarify my earlier point I summon the words of Sgt. Hartman, "There is no racial (gender) bigotry here. I do not look down on niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you are all equally worthless." I am perfectly free to think what I want. But I would not let my opinion stop another American from being afforded the same rights I am. I am human(e). I think the Chick-fil-a thing I mentioned earlier is an excellent example. the guy doesn't agree with it, but as a Christian he treats gays (not that he would know any better just bumping into someone at a store) just like everyone else.

I like to point to MLK when talking about this because I think so many in the present day "movements" are taking the wrong approach. MLK took the high road, above reproach. He knew he would piss off people, but he still did it the right way.

This guy gets it: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-823655

Again, the high road.