Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Emergency paper ballot legislation -- UPDATE

Sometimes we become mired in ultra-cynicism. Let me tell you a story.

Some months ago, I attended -- crashed? -- a bloggers' lunch meeting with Senator Russ Feingold. Since Brad Friedman was there, the subject of rigged elections inevitably came up. Feingold told the story of a "funny" count in his own early career -- and then admitted that he really didn't know much about the present controversy.

"Let me give you some information," said Brad, his eyes lighting up. When Feingold tried to make his escape from the restaurant, Brad followed him out to have a few last-minute words about keeping the vote safe.

Today, Senator Feingold has signed on as the third co-sponsor of the Confidence in Vote Act.

Brad is just a guy. A couple of years ago, he was just another actor in Los Angeles looking for gigs. And now...Senator Feingold is on board, and we are closer than you may know to attaining real reform.

So don't think your voice will go unheard. Call your Senator. Call your Representative. Go here. The number for the House is (202)224-3121; the operator will patch you through to any representive you name, even one who represents a district you don't live in. It is perfectly fine to call late at night or early in the morning, thanks to the cutting-edge answering machine technology on Capitol Hill.

If half the people who read this blog made two or three calls within the next twelve hours, even the reddest pol will feel the impact.

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