Does your vote count??? Electronic voting machines...

[jkroner659]

Look at this video of testimony from a computer programmer under oath...I for one do not trust electronic voting machines, they are easily manipulated and should not be trusted...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQBdl-wiKQ&mode=related&search=

[KPierce]

Yeah I can totally believe that. And actually from just giving it some thought, in my old programming days I could see where the program could be as small as 3 or 4 lines of code total.

While computers are entertaining and have made life not only easier but significantly better. Issues like this need to be scrutinized completely and in complete view of the public eye. Even when votes are recounted by hand, the counting takes place in a room somewhere and that should stop. It should be handled on live video broadcast over public access channels across the country. With a tally board that counts each vote for each side clicking off the votes as they are counted out. That would be the only way to know for sure that everything is being done on the up and up.

[jkroner659]

What kills me is they don't release the source code:pissed: There is a saying that says "Those who vote decide nothing, those who count the votes decide everything" I believe that, and this man's testimony is evidence in itself that this can/will happen and maybe already has...

I agree, they should have camera's where the people count the votes. Kinda makes you wonder what has been done in the past during elections with electronic voting machines and what will happen in the future...I just say don't trust them because there will always be a computer geek greedy enough to write the codes and some slime ball politician ready and willing to cheat:pissed:

[Dash Riprock]

I saw a thing about this on HBO a couple of years ago. They used 20 or so people to cast test votes. I can't remember if they told them who to vote for or not, but everyone in the room was very shocked at the outcome.

[RiverFisher]

That is just scary. It is, however expected. There is always an arms race of a sort going on with respect to people trying to obtain, or maintain power. Just don't lose faith in the system. I mean, most of the time, the system works. No one ever said it is perfect, but as long as we keep hearing about the possibilities, or catching people cheating, we can take steps to prevent those specifics from recurring. I mean, you can't tell me that the election in Florida was the first time and only place anyone ever encountered "dangling chads".

Just like the recent issues with contaminated products being imported from China. Yes, harm was done, but in the end, we caught it and are taking steps to prevent it from recurring. The lead based paint on childrens toys is another example. The point is, there are people looking for these things and they are catching them. The Chinese economy is probably very nervous right now because their biggest customer (of consumer products), the US is very nervous about importing ALL products made in China at the moment because of the actions of a relative few. If Americans, as individuals start choosing to buy products made in other places, out of fear, anger, or even patriotism, Wally World will be in trouble, and so will the Chinese economy.
That reminds me of something, do you guys remember when Walmart trucks were emblazoned with "MADE IN AMERICA"? I wonder when that went away....(I just hope they keep carrying my WWB ammo).

[Cliff731]

I saw a thing about this on HBO a couple of years ago. They used 20 or so people to cast test votes. I can't remember if they told them who to vote for or not, but everyone in the room was very shocked at the outcome.

I voted in our State's primary election about a week ago... and for the very first time used one of these electronic gee whiz touch screen machines.

Didn't like it. I would rather have hangin' chads. Electronic votes can be as easily lost as any file on your computer can be and has often been so... uhh... lost in "cyber" space.

Of course, I'm a bit old fashioned anyway when it comes to democracy!!! :D

[Cliff731]

...The Chinese economy is probably very nervous right now because their biggest customer (of consumer products), the US is very nervous about importing ALL products made in China at the moment because of the actions of a relative few.

And just who was the Chinese government official they executed for the pet food flap over there???

Yeah, that sounds like slightly nervous Chinese to me!!!

Now, that is a rather novel idea... suspose we start doing the same over here with our government officials for incompetence and dishonesty... hell, let's even throw in the elected politicians (of course, they'll conveniently exclude themselves from such legislation when the bill gets drafted up).


If Americans, as individuals start choosing to buy products made in other places, out of fear, anger, or even patriotism, Wally World will be in trouble, and so will the Chinese economy.
That reminds me of something, do you guys remember when Walmart trucks were emblazoned with "MADE IN AMERICA"? I wonder when that went away....(I just hope they keep carrying my WWB ammo).

Geezzz... do ya think it washed off??? And when was the last time you saw those hanging signs in a Wal-Mart that bragged about how many jobs they were helping to create in America?

[RiverFisher]

[QUOTE=Cliff731;1139]Now, that is a rather novel idea... suspose we start doing the same over here with our government officials for incompetence and dishonesty... hell, let's even throw in the elected politicians (of course, they'll conveniently exclude themselves from such legislation when the bill gets drafted up).
QUOTE]

+1 Very perceptive on the exclusion....
Nice job Cliff731!

[Cliff731]

[QUOTE=Cliff731;1139]Now, that is a rather novel idea... suspose we start doing the same over here with our government officials for incompetence and dishonesty... hell, let's even throw in the elected politicians (of course, they'll conveniently exclude themselves from such legislation when the bill gets drafted up).
QUOTE]

+1 Very perceptive on the exclusion....
Nice job Cliff731!

Thanks, David... it is their nature to be evasive and slippery when caught... :p