I actually am equally disgusted with both the Democrats and the Republicans
in the election mess.  The approach both candidates have taken to the
situation proves to me that neither is qualified to be the president.

The only way that anyone can have legitimacy, and the only way to refute
the charges that either side was involved in stealing the election, is to
have a neutral third party (if such a thing even exists) recount ALL of the
ballots that the machines were not able to count.

I agree that if Gore somehow prevails and the ballots in Miami-Dade are
recounted and he somehow overcomes the Florida legislature and Congress,
the Bush supporters as well as many others will feel like he achieved
victory in an unfair way.  However, Gore did use the established Florida
law to ask for the recounts that he requested and it is clear that the
Republicans, from Katherine Harris on down the line, did everything they
could to keep these recounts from occurring.  And, this is totally unfair.

We know that the machines were unable to count many, many ballots
throughout the state.  In an election this close in which the outcome
determines the presidency, all of the uncounted votes should be counted.  I
suspect if this were to occur, there is as much a chance that Bush will
prevail as Gore.  But, unless this is done, we will never, even know.

The thing that troubles me the most about all of this mess is that this is
the first presidential election that my 15 year old son will remember.  He
is too young to already be totally cynical about the democratic process in
this country.  But, that is exactly where he is.  I wouldn't be surprised
if he and his friends never, ever bother to vote.

Deb