call for international observers for U.S. elections

20 Oct 2000 misc.activism.progressive
from Marc Estrin <mestrin1 [at] earthlink.net> (by way of Native Forest Network)

While it may seem self-absorbed to focus on U.S. elections at a time when
others around the world are engaged in larger life and death struggles, it
is sadly true that the results of those elections may be globally ominous.

As those in command consolidate their grip on power, they have restricted
the presidential field to two candidates, both of whom will serve the
purpose of US global domination. Now, however, they may have over-reached
and landed themselves in universally condemned territories of blame.

-- The Democratic and Republican parties, acting through their Debates
Commission, used state supported police to keep a presidential candidate
from attending a debate and appearing on a network interview to which he had
been invited.

-- Before and during the Republican convention, police used illegal means to
infiltrate and spy on organizations planning protests opposed to the
pro-corporate agendas of the two major parties. During the demonstrations,
police used extremely aggressive and violent tactics to prevent and/or subdue
the protests; and subjected those whom they arrested to several types of brutal
treatment once they were imprisoned. Some of this treatment included the denial
of food and medicine, sexual harassment and abuse of prisoners by jail guards,
and the denial of legal and personal contacts.

-- During the Democratic convention, LA police were used to shut down an
independent media station, using a phony bomb scare to evacuate the
broadcast building, when mainstream media vans in the area were not so
"protected". The shutdown conveniently prevented live coverage of the
police charge on a rock concert.

-- The US Congress is currently involved in an attempt to strangle
independent voices by repealing changes in FCC regulations, which could have
allowed development of low-power radio stations.

Small potatoes in a world where death squads often monitor elections.
Still, the use of the police power of the state and restrictive laws to
exclude candidates and opposition voices is exactly what commissions of
international observers watch for.

A widespread call for international observers for U.S. elections would
-- reframe our electoral process in the context of other abuses of power
around the world
-- ask voters to rethink what is normal and acceptable in our procedures
-- heighten the question of our "two" party system
-- and best of all...be useable in a preemptive or reactive manner every two
years.

We at the Old North End RAG ask for your help in refining this call, in getting
it to foreign activists, and in publicizing it via your own media activity.
Old North End RAG 58 Peru St. Burlington, VT 05401
mestrin1 [at] earthlink.net