GRAVEYARD VOTES PAY

            While walking our pup, “Jake” on our usual daily walk along with other dog owners through a local cemetery, we came across a headstone that had remarkable significance. It read, “Matthew Blackwood, Faithful and Dedicated and a Republican.”

Now that is faithfulness!

The significance of Mr. Blackwood’s dedication to his political preference made us muse at how important his faithfulness was—especially when it comes to voting.

Just how important this idea is can be illustrated by was the run for the Washington State governorship in 2004 between Dino Rossi, a fiscal conservative Republican, and Christine Gregoire, a very liberal Democrat. After a close battle Rossi was declared winner by the margin of only 261 votes—the closest campaign for governor in state history. But this was only the beginning of the campaign!

Following election night Rossi was the certified winner of the Governor’s office by the initial vote count. Since the margin was so close however, a second automated vote count was made verifying the original outcome.  By all reason Rossi won. But taking the advice of Yogi Berra when he said, “It ain’t over until it’s over!” the Democrats demanded a hand recount making this a third tally of ballots.

During this time official election officers in King County, the largest county in Washington State (and predominately Democrat), miraculously discovered boxes of ballots that were uncounted they claimed. Even though the election was over the court sided with the officials and sure enough after repeated recounts Christine Gregoire won by a margin of 129 votes.

Rossi, a former real estate businessman, had amassed a small fortune. He continued in business and was later elected to the Washington State Legislature where he performed well.

Gregoire had served as Washington State Attorney General before running for governor. She was considered a professional politician.

Apparently this is not the first time a real estate mogul and a professional politician has locked horns. Today we have a similar battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and the results could be much the same as in the Rossi and Gregoire affair.

But graveyard voters are not new. It wasn’t unusual before the insipid new voting laws were put in action that many corrupt politicians gained office and power with the help of those who passed from this life. Corruption in such cities as Chicago is so commonplace that a power base has so deeply entrenched itself to the degree that it is nearly impossible for an honest office seeker to get elected.

The new voting laws restricting ineligible people from voting are constantly under attack. The Democrats don’t want any limits on illegal aliens from voting. They see such folks a boon to their party. They consider such people as merely “undocumented and entitled to all the advantages and privileges of a legal citizen. In reality these “goodies” are nothing but a payback for their votes and nothing less.

Corruption in politics is now merely considered part of the process. Those in current power, either Democrat or Republican, do not represent the United States in the way the average American believes the nation should be led. Poll after poll shows that the majority of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction and they are frustrated. This frustration is leading to the establishment of third parties—parties that have little or no opportunity or hope of advancing beyond a hopeful dream.

The creation of the “Tea Party” is only one example. These American citizens want changes as financial responsibility including reduction of the national debt and a balanced budget, lower taxes, more protection against foreign powers including terrorism, a strong military and less infringement on personal freedoms.

Unfortunately both parties have resorted to the status quo. Neither party seems to want to do much other than remain in office and collect their taxpayer paychecks. The fiasco of the Republican meltdown following Trump’s nomination is an example. Almost daily we hear of another “Republican” denouncing Trump and withdrawing their alleged support. Frankly we find this dishonest. These people are doing nothing more than trying to protect their own re-election efforts.

Why, you might ask are they doing this? The answer is simple. They believe Trump is going to lose the presidential election and they don’t want to join him in the unemployed political line!

Consequently when one of these people waves a copy of the Constitution they are really pleading that the average American will swallow their propaganda. The problem is they may be right. The average American seems unable to put two and two together and come out with anything other than five!

And that is where the graveyard vote helps. Many commentators said that this is going to be a close election but when you hear the smears, lies, distortions and denials made by Hillary Clinton, this idea of a close race may fade away. Trump is his own enemy. He is not a politician and therefore doesn’t understand that speaking the truth is a determent. If there is a chance of his pulling this election off I would suggest he visit the local cemetery and pick up  some unchallenged votes!