bb, I agree that Liberals in Canada and Democrats in the US are just as likely to take advantage of machines. I do not think it is exclusively the domain or prerogative of Conservatives and Republicans.

IT Was a Russian (Stalin?) who said you didn't have to control the way people vote, you simply had to control the people who COUNT the votes. That is as true today as it was then. It may surprise you to learn that I am very 'right wing' on certain issues, and very left wing' on others. However, I believe in democracy as a concept and a process. I feel both are in perils (concept and process) with things like computer voting. It ain't a good thing, IMO.

If I voted on the following today it would be thus:

Abortion--NO
Capital punishment--NO
Legally-enforced 'equal pay for equal work'--YES
War in Iraq--NO
Globalization--NO
Military draft--YES
Women in combat roles--NO
Positive hiring--YES
Decent health care that is free--YES
Tax incentives for stay-at-home parents--YES

If you can figure out how I vote from the above, I am impressed. And if you can figure out my political 'bent' from the above then please let me know. I will choose the party to vote for now and not have to pay attention to their positions on the above issues before the next elections. Save me lotsa research and reading.

Bruce M