RTFA: http://www.vimeo.com/1960006?pg=embed&sec=1960006

Steal Back Your Vote! from Greg Palast on Vimeo.

In 2002, George W. Bush signed the Help America Vote Act. When a Bush tells you he’s going to “help” you vote –look out! The result: in the 2004 presidential election, over three million votes— 3,006,080—were cast and not counted.

I used the term “conservatives” because it describes me, and it might describe you, but I don’t like the term. What I like is this country, and you know what? I’m not satisfied to “keep” the country through fraudulent, illegal voting interference. I think of it like pouring hydrogen peroxide on a deep wound: it stings, but it keeps the gangrene out. It’s like a tetanus shot: it’s sore for days, but the foot doesn’t get amputated. It’s like… oh, you get what I mean.

So here’s the problem with election fraud: when some party gets into power, and you don’t like them, then you must not allow them the tools to stay in power by interfering with the vote. Right now, those tools are more of a liability than an asset. Consider, for a second, how that could possibly be.

I know what you’re thinking: “The masses don’t always know what’s good for them. Sometimes, it’s better for the country if ‘we’ make the decisions for them.” One problem, of many, is that the masses in this country are heavily armed and increasingly less educated, and whoever YOU are, that should give you a moment for pause. There is a reason why democracy ought to be congruent with the desires of the masses…

So that comes back to the vote, and why it’s better for the country to express its will through voting. As a conservative, I’m seriously disappointed by the previous two elections, because I’m disappointed by the approval rating of the president. What I cannot understand easily is how the guy got 50% of the vote – twice – and yet his approval rating is the historical lowest of any president. Does that make sense to you? …and if so, please enlighten me.

As McCain has repeated: people are angry. really angry. and scared. and Angry! It’s important that in 2008, the “people” get to drive the country for a single, shining day. …and then instead of being merely angry, perhaps they will be self-loathing for legitimately putting some guy into office who made the choices that made them angry. If they’re self-loathing instead of angry, maybe “they’ll” shut up. That’s why the vote needs to be clean.

…and that’s why this video is interesting. People want to fuck with this country, and you don’t know if they’re on “your” side. Did you make more money this year? Really? How about these numbers, asshole:

This states that even for the top 5%, median income leveled off during the first 4 years of W. I wish I had newer data, because the 2008 numbers are going to make me cry. Meanwhile, the wealthiest individuals each increased their net worth by increasing amounts, and disproportionally benefited from tax breaks. …so are you convinced that the people manipulating the election are on your side?

The vote needs to stay clean. Conservatives, if the word means anything at all, need to care about this.