Published: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 12:09 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 12:09 a.m.
Now that it's all over but the shouting ? and be assured, there will be some shouting ? let's take a moment to reflect on the consistently embarrassing performance of Florida's election system. With the longest ballot in state history, voters standing in hours-long lines and election results that even two days afterward were incomplete and inconclusive, Florida once again finds itself in the glaring light of national ridicule.
Part of the blame for this debacle can be left at the doorstep of our governor, who, in a blatantly partisan move, refused to extend early voting when it was apparent the shortened period could not afford a timely opportunity for all to vote who wished to do so.
Equally culpable is our ineffectual state Legislature that, lacking the determination to build consensus or reach compromise, chose once again to legislate by tampering with the state's Constitution. Their legacy: 11 proposed constitutional amendments, eight of which were soundly rejected by the voters.
The result of these egregious machinations was that Florida's election results, which should have been pivotal to the outcome of the national contest, were rendered irrelevant.
Are there lessons to be learned here? You bet.
First, the governor needs to learn that attempts to subvert the election process by placing obstacles in the paths of voters will be met with long lines of determined Floridians braving the hours and the elements to cast their ballots. Those same voters will be lined up in two years to elect this governor's successor.
Second, the members of our dysfunctional state Legislature need to learn that the citizens of Florida have sent them to Tallahassee to, of all things, legislate. We reasonably expect them to find common ground and hammer out consensus legislation, regardless of how uncomfortable that process might be.
J. NEIL SHEROUSE
Lakeland
Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20121116/edit02/121119522
tom brady sister dad shoots daughters laptop brandon jennings the vow review luol deng culkin wooly mammoth
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন