Today's Letters: Floridians shouldn't have their votes stolen

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 28, 2007

DNC slaps state's primary Aug. 26, story

I walked Florida streets for Democrats in '04. I can't imagine voting for a Republican to follow George W. Bush, but neither can I support a party that enforces "discipline" by taking away people's votes. Every vote should count fully.

The people don't need party officials' permission to decide whom to vote for or when to vote. States spend millions conducting primaries. If parties exercise a power to void their results, the primaries ought to be canceled altogether.

The purpose of primaries is to move the decisionmaking out of back rooms. Let's just admit the primary process didn't bring democracy to the candidate selection process. The back room is more powerful than it ever has been.

The DNC gave Florida Democrats two choices: vote too late to matter or lose their votes by antidemocratic party rules.

I may not be able to vote for a Republican, but I sure won't endorse with a vote a party with those values.

If party chairman Howard Dean stole the ballot boxes, we'd throw him in the slammer. That he's done the same by party rules ought to be just as criminal.

Finally, what are the values of the Democratic presidential candidates? If they can't stand up for the right of Florida voters to have their votes counted and counted fully, then they are not fit to lead this nation. Their leadership is too calculating and opportunistic for them to be worthy of support.

The right to have your vote counted and counted whole should be sacred in America and should be protected by the law.

Doug Bevins, Dade City

DNC slaps state's primaryAug. 26, story

Democratic Party rules are outdated

I am angry over the decision of the Democratic National Committee to not count Florida Democrats' voices in Florida. I feel the rules are outdated that allow New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and Iowa first chance to run primaries or caucuses. All states should be able to choose their own election date in a particular date range with nobody getting the right to "go first."

I think the majority of voters in this country are tired of the decision on who represents our party already being completed before they even get to vote.

If the DNC follows through in telling me my vote does not count, or if they force Florida to change the election date, I will have to vote Republican for the first time in 24 years.

Bob McCabe, Largo

DNC slaps state's primaryAug. 26, story

Remember the troops

Am I reading that right? The Democratic National Committee voted to make the January primary in Florida meaningless? I guess they forgot that our men and women, Republicans and Democrats, are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, to protect all of our rights, but the Democrats will not be able to make a valid vote?

What is this nation coming to?

Len Wilson, St. Petersburg

DNC slaps state's primaryAug. 26, story

It's all relative

It seem's like just yesterday Florida was crawling with Democrat leaders, lawyers and bean counters all trying to make sure that every single ballot was tallied. It was a real "let freedom ring" kind of moment in history. They even got to pontificate in the Supreme Court about the importance of never denying a single American vote - not one! Just being a voter in Florida made you feel like the ultimate patriot.

And now just a few years later the "national Democrats" have decided that no votes from Florida's presidential primary delegates should be counted - not one!

For a while there I was feeling a little sorry for myself because of recent imbroglios in my Republican Party. Thank you, DNC, for restoring my faith in the GOP, the least embarrassing political party in America.

David Fraser, Clearwater

DNC slaps state's primaryAug. 26, story

Fairness for a few

Alexis Herman of the Democratic rules committee says of the state's early primary, "There's a fairness issue here."

Two paragraphs later the article says, "The DNC schedule allows only Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina to hold caucuses or primaries before Feb. 5."

Yep. I can see how that's fair ... to "Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina."

Bob Klase, Largo

Smith grand jury says no crimeAug. 24, story

Voters will decide

Don't anyone be disappointed in the decision by the grand jury in regard to Pinellas Property Appraiser Jim Smith's land deal or feel all involved have been exonerated. These representatives may be ignorant but they are not stupid. There were no laws violated, but there darn sure were violations of ethics.

We, the people, already know the full story on Smith's deal and exactly who was involved in what, thanks to the Times.

Smith has the audacity to say he will run for re-election in 2008. Democrats and Republicans alike who wish to start a political career, and who are interested and qualified for this office, would be foolish not to challenge him. A victory would almost be a given. What say you, voters?

As far as the rest of them serving on the present County Commission, the county administrator, the county attorney and the commission chairman, it's just a matter of their terms running out. What say you, voters?

Let them all examine the presentment of findings issued by the grand jury and have their time to consider what critical comments about them they would like expunged before the presentments are made public. We, the people, already know to what extent these people have violated our trust. What say you, voters?

Jack Burlakos, Kenneth City

Jessie's killer gets death Aug. 25, story

The law's delay

I'm 70 years old. I've never harmed anyone. Statistically, I'll be dead before John Couey.

What's wrong with this picture?

Sam Pannill, Largo

[Last modified August 27, 2007, 22:12:28]