Where Will We Be in Two Weeks?

At one point during the Elderblogger PhoneCon today the question was raised about why Karl Rove was so optimistic that the Administration wouldn't lose their hold on Congress. Actually the question was why Dubya was optimistic, but he could just be delusional or clueless. Karl Rove is scarier.
One issue that came up was the new electronic voting systems that are coming online this year. MSNBC has a story from Reuters today on potential voting problems next month which include the unproven technology of the Diebold voting machines. There is also an AP story of a Princeton University professor and a couple of grad students who were able to upload viral software onto a Diebold machine that was capable of spreading to linked machines.
Paul DeGregorio, the gentleman who heads the Election Assistance Commission was appointed by Dubya in 2003. The EAC was established to support the improvements in election processes called for in the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
The guy who took the election in 2000 signs a law to ensure that the unfortunate irregularities that may have put him in office do not recur, and appoints the guy who's going to help implement those changes... "Trust me... I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."
In California, an application to vote by mail must be received by Tuesday, October 31. The precinct in which I vote uses a paper ballot anyway.

One can hardly overstate the importance of voting in this election... at your polling place or by absentee vote or at the registrar's office.
Unless you happen to be among the... 19%?... who continue to believe we're right where we need to be, you must see that it is important that this Administration not enter its final two years with control of both Congressional bodies as well as the Judicial Branch. Someone needs to be in the position to challenge presidential signing statements, and the deconstruction of the Bill of Rights. These are not trivial issues.