On February 21, 2005 (President’s Day), I sent a letter on behalf of Velvet Revolution’s directors to each of of the nine major American Voting Machine companies — (Advanced Voting Solutions, Diebold, Danaher-Guardian, Election Systems & Software [ES&S], HartInterCivic, MicroVote, Sequoia Voting Systems, Triad GSI and UniLect Corp) — asking them to do the right thing for our country!
In short, our letter gives the companies 60 days to take the following patriotic actions:
If the companies publicly commit to all of the above within the 60 days, we will broadly recognize them for their efforts.
If, however, they choose not to take these steps to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in America, then VR — along, we hope, with all of you! — will encourage all Americans to (1) divest from these companies and those with which they are affiliated, and (2) participate in a massive national boycott targeting them, their affiliates and their clients. We will also launch an extensive education campaign for the American public explaining the ways in which these companies are secretly doing the public’s business of handling elections in the world’s most important democracy!
VR has the support of more than 80 Affiliate organizations in this effort, representing millions of Americans, and more are joining up every day! Please join the revolution by stopping by the site to send an email to all nine companies stating your support of this campaign! It’ll take you less than a minute!
We’re all in this democracy together, and without you, we’re nothing!
And so begins the revolution…
The Official Press Release for this campaign is available here online or may be downloaded here in WORD format.
For more information on VR’s “Divestiture for Democracy” please visit:
http://www.VelvetRevolution.us/Campaigns/DV4D
or write to:
DV4D@VelvetRevolution.us
If ever there was a viable boycott this is it. It plays well in simple terms, is pro-active, and wonderfully patriotic!
I’m inspired!
Yeah, and I hope you will provide the name off all those afilliates and other associated companies for us consumers. And do the affiliates know about this so they can maybe apply some pressure to the voting machine companies? It is a tall order for a company to do all that for no cost so they will need a push.
Brad-
I think the "Divestiture for Democracy" campaign has great potential. I have frequently visited the "Velvet Revolution" website but I’m a little ashamed to admit that I have not yet signed-up, an omission that I plan to rectify.
In regards to the "Divestiture for Democracy" campaign, I might suggest that you try to recruit some reputable, progressive financial consultants who might offer their services at "Velvet Revolution". Most of my investments are in mutual funds in my retirement account that is administered by Morgan Stanley. These are large mutual funds and I have to admit that I’m not completely sure about the biases of the various companies in these funds. I’m certainly not crazy about Morgan Stanley but it’s not that easy to yank your money out of a program you’ve been with for some time when your not sure of what reputable and more progressive or responsible alternatives there are out there.
I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who are not real knowledgeable or engaged investors but would welcome a progressive, legitimate alternative to their current plans and portfolios.
As always, thanks and keep up the good fight!
Steve
Brad,
Good luck with the campaign. I’d send an email but you know I don’t qualify. However, I’m with you in spirit!!
Yea, got my full participation. I like this.
Even the neocons will sorta understand diplomacy prior to invasion!
Steve #3 –
I think your suggestion to include a list of progressive investment vehicles and affirming advisors is right on. I happen to in a similiar situation as you describe and though I intend to research the subject myself it would be great to have an easier portal. Maybe the easiest approach would be to simply list the funds that do have a position in these nine companies? Of course, such a list would have to be updated frequently as positions change all the time.
This is very exciting.
Thank you, Brad. You are REALLY GETTING ORGANIZED NOW! That’s the way to go. God Bless All Good Americans.
Looks like Senators Boxer & Clinton are on the same page with their "Count Every Vote Act of 2005". Details here: http://dailykos.com/story/2005/2/26/204031/168
Actual text of the bill here: http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/dfiles/file_493.pdf
Looks like Senators Boxer & Clinton are on the same page with their "Count Every Vote Act of 2005". Details here: http://dailykos.com/story/2005/2/26/204031/168
Actual text of the bill here: http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/dfiles/file_493.pdf
Looks like Senators Boxer & Clinton are on the same page with their "Count Every Vote Act of 2005". Details here: http://dailykos.com/story/2005/2/26/204031/168
Actual text of the bill here: http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/dfiles/file_493.pdf
#2 DaveK,
Yeah, and I hope you will provide the name off all those afilliates and other associated companies for us consumers. And do the affiliates know about this so they can maybe apply some pressure to the voting machine companies? It is a tall order for a company to do all that for no cost so they will need a push.
Most of the VR affiliates are displayed in the left sidebar at Velvet Revolution. Most of the affiliates also display the VR flag or banner link somewhere on their website.
Welcome aboard!
Torqued, I believe DaveK was referring to the affiliates of the Voting Machine Companies if I understood him correctly (as opposed to the VR Affiliates).
And yes, we will be publishing and/or working on those financials. While we’re already well on the way, we welcome any progressive financial analysts out there who may wish to jump aboard to assist!
And several *very* cool news items coming about the DV4D in the next 24 hours or so! Stay tuned!
P.S. Putting together that campaign was just one of the reasons I’ve been able to blog less than usual lately. There’s still more work to do on it, but at least the bulk of the technological stuff that had to be built from scratch is *mostly* outta the way. Thanks all of you guys for your patience!
Brad (re #13) : Patience is my middle name.
Best regards
Winter Patience Patriot
A Sysadmin #’s 8-10 –
Boxer is circulating a petition. In case you haven’t received her email, here’s the petition page:
Count Every Vote
Absolutely fabulous!
Boycotts work. Money talks.
I took all my money out of the stock market recently. I realized I had no right to complain if I had money in mutual funds that had anything to do with poisoning and murdering people. I am investing in local businesses, and companies I know are ethical. All information regarding this is highly appreciated.
These fat cats aren’t sitting as pretty as is thought. The collective has money and power too if we just wise up and act right. If the corporations fail, which can happen quite easily, there go their precious investments. They could get quite a runaround trying to keep the wealth safe if the collective consolidated and recognized its strength.
The people are suckers in the Wall Street con game. They are using our money to make money, while we are coming up way short and getting shorter. It just takes a little effort, and you can beat them at their game.
Interesting. Surely you realize they will NEVER agree to what you demand. Not a chance in hell, not for all the tea in China, no matter how much economic pressure comes down on them. They won’t give up the Vote Control they now have, any more than Bush&Co. will EVER give up Iraq, even if they have to slaughter every last Iraqi man, woman, and child before possessing all that oil. So, Brad, you’d better stop dreaming your threats are meaningful. They aren’t. They may prove annoying, but TPTB will find some way to cleverly subvert or co-opt all efforts. So. Start thinking in those terms. Don’t get me wrong–I’m all in favor of the plan. But only because if you keep forcing the Vote Controllers against the wall, it may start becoming clear to EVERYONE what’s going on. It’s like playing chess; think as many moves ahead as you can, and you’ll win.
Apart from a boycott (economic pressure), have you considered the twin-track of lawsuits (legal pressure)? How do this? By starting a fund to raise money to examine whether any steps or actions by those involved in the vote counting and recording process have breached any state or federal laws, and then filing suits for changes, or breaches of criminal laws, or damages for breach of voters’ rights …
Nothing like a well publicised lawsuit to get someone’s attention, especially if it is a class action suit with the possibility of large judgments …