...perpetrated on the voters of this country, thanks to the likes of the Bushies, and now-imprisoned uber-lobbyist Abramoff and former congressman Ney. It was HAVA that brought us crooked Diebold voting machines (and the clones that followed). It was HAVA that gave millions of our hard-earned tax dollars to the manufacturers of these abominations. It was HAVA that helped to win the election for the republicans in 2004. It was also HAVA that gave us early voting---supposedly as a convenience to voters that they, frankly, didn't need because in-person absentee voting provisions already existed in election law.

People tend to jump on new ideas thinking they're some type of reform process. They love the technology but fail to understand how the machines can be manipulated. They, to my surprise, also seem to love "early voting" while failing to understand how that process, too, can manipulate the vote process---including problems with those votes not being counted or lost in the mails.

Having said this, in my state we have now gone back to paper ballots. Yippee! And I will go to my election jurisdiction later this week to cast an in-person absentee ballot--having studied the issues, read the non-partisan voter materials, and attended candidate forums--because I won't be in the state on election day. I refused to do it earlier because, although I think I'm a well-informed voter, I wasn't at all ready before this week to cast a vote! Most people aren't!!!

You've pointed some of the problems of early voting (i.e., change in status of top-tier candidates that could change how folks would be voting) but other problems exist. Information on "down the ticket" candidates doesn't began to appear until the last couple of weeks before an election. Ditto for many endorsements, especially the print media. Nor does information (including pros and cons) on constitutional amendments and bond issues. So people go to the polls unaware of who or what to vote for (or against) and either don't vote "down the ticket" or simply vote straight party and guesses on the issues.

That's unfortunate, especially since the lower-level candidates don't have the money for ads and sufficient volunteers like the high-level candidates do. This is especially true in a presidential election year like this one.

One glaring example of this is the Minnesota race where Michelle Bachmann has discredited herself and her Democrat opponent Elwyn Tinkleberg has benefitted with a huge influx of money and workers. However, how many people in Minnesota already cast their early (or absentee) votes before this happened? (Just a reminder for those who say that early voting is just starting. In fact, early voting is actually in-person absentee voting and that began 2 or 3 weeks ago in many places.)

Haven't felt this good about a contribution since the one I made to Planned Parenthood in the name of Sarah Palin, asking that the thank you be sent to the McCain headquarters.

Wow! In 24-hours time Bachmann's opponent, Elwyn Twinklenberg, has raised (this is a revised figure) almost $490,000. And, I discovered in reading his website that she isn't really campaigning either. Guess, with that creepy smile, she's decided she'd rather audition for the role of poster model for the Far Right. But she's likely to be shoved aside by Sarah Palin who, after all, must do something to keep her egocentric self in the spotlight. Besides, Sarah's smile is more geniune.

Again, YIPPEE! You did good, folks!!!

Following your advice, I finished up my post and went right to the Tinklenberg website and made a donation. Liked his stance on issues, in addition to the fact that he's opposing that creepy Bachmann. Hope he unseats her. Fortunately for him, she's already unraveled.

I wish the media folks at MSNBC and CNN would stop giving this woman air time. Has anyone noticed the creepy smile she plasters on her face when she's not talking? That, in and of itself, is reason enough to drop her. It's downright creepy!

Fifty and Fabulous said: Did anyone else hear McCain snorting throughout?

My husband and I heard it. Three or more times, in fact--the last time being the loudest. Given McCain's famed nasty temper, my thoughts ran to the image of a worked-up bull getting ready to charge. Wish I could have seen him while that was happening.

He looked snarky throughout. The fake smile didn't come across to me as someone amused. It looked like a cover for a temper that wanted to flare up.

And to the other writers who commented on the autism issue I, too, wondered if McCain realized he was wrong and that Palen's baby has Downs Syndrome. Plus, there is no way anyone would be able to detect Autism in a baby that young, Downs Syndrome or not. However, I did some googling afterward and discovered that Palin's sister has a son with Autism and that some Downs children are also eventually diagnosed with Autism.

Nevertheless, to say that Palin is an expert (or whatever word he used) on Autism or Downs - and, thus, all special needs children - is no better than saying that she's an expert on energy. What Sarah IS is an expert on BS!

...the health of the mother is irrelevant. He practically did, given the sweep of his hand in a dismissive manner. And that snarky smile he plastered on his face throughout most the "discussion" made me want to throw something at the TV!!

Didn't anyone pick up on McCain's reference to Palin being an expert on special needs children who have autism? The Palin baby has Downs Syndrome!!!