Rosen's statement has been greeted with apparently universal disbelief if not derision:
To my friends,
The foundation of any democracy is the right to vote and to have that vote counted. Maryland voters don’t have to worry that their names have been deleted from the rolls when they show up at the polls, or that their votes will not be counted. But in some states, it is difficult, almost impossible for minorities and the poor to have their votes counted.
I voted twice. It was an act of civil disobedience in recognition of the millions of legitimate voters who have been illegally prevented from voting or having their votes counted, during the past four presidential elections.
The fact is, in some states officials take great effort to keep Americans, especially the poor and minorities from voting. Precincts in poor areas have so few voting machines that long lines force voters to stand in line for as long as four to six hours.
And if that’s not enough, corporations representing “conservative values” have created new paperless voting machines fitted with software that flips votes from democratic to republican candidates leaving no paper trail to lead back to the crime.
Since the year 2000, our country has not experienced a fair election process, and in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections the wrong candidate was declared the winner.
As Americans, we have a right to know why these corporation executives and government officials have not been brought to justice, as I have for voting twice. Corporations like Diebold, and organizations like American Crossroads are not people, but every year their voices grow louder and their hold on our political process grows, drowning out the voices of individual voters.
What I did wasn’t right, it wasn’t smart, but it was one of civil disobedience, not arrogance, and if it somehow it helps to bring this problem to light, it will be worth the pain I’ve endured over these last six months and into the future. I want to apologize to all those who supported my campaign for congress. During the campaign, I learned that it was a job where I couldn’t make a difference. Those who impact congress unfortunately, are the destructive, not constructive forces. The voices of Wall Street are not only louder than those of Main Street. Main Street has no voice at all. Those in power represent big banks, big pharma and anti-environment groups with millions supporting their interests. My representative in congress is backed by those special interest groups, while the voices of the individuals who live in the first district are for the most part, powerless.
It’s time for organizations like the Urban League, Southern Poverty Law Center and individuals like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr to join together in a class action suit against the states and organizations that hold our election process hostage.
Today, by speaking out, I join a growing group of Americans like graduate student Justin Moore, grandmother Bev Harris, Johns Hopkins Professor Avi Rubin, Robert F. Kennedy and author Greg Palast, who have worked to raise awareness about the problems in our election system and political process.
Respectfully,
Wendy W. Rosen