Sorry, Pooka, I don't think not following the Constitutional guidelines was a good thing. I seem to recall a lot of whining coming from the Bush camp about how Gore was trying to change the election rules, all the while he was trying to wiggle around the system himself. Since the Supreme Court is appointed, not elected, dumping the decision in their laps is REALLY malapportioned.

As you so clearly stated, the SC defied the Constitution, got involved in a state election matter, and these are the folks who are supposed to make sure we uphold the Constitution.

Hindsight, yada yada yada. All that nonsense about recounting this precinct but not that one or this group or suing so that one of 'em can't get recounted was downright shameful. The Florida legislature could have stuck their neck out (it being more their jurisdiction than anyone else's) and take action, but they didn't. The only comic relief was Castro's offer to send election observers :)

I was kidding about the ATMs and the banks. I haven't gotten to use one yet, just pokin' holes in my little yellow card. But seriously, precinct locations are generally lousy, difficult to find and difficult to arrange around work hours. (Oh yeah, I know all about the law with your employer "having" to give you the time off to vote. Hogwash!)

I know that we'll probably never perfect the election process, but we have the technology and resources to have the kind of election accuracy that the founding fathers wouldn't have believed.