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United Nations or USA's Nations? - Page 19

It's an absurd proposition, from many standpoints. First of all, it's a political non-starter -- the American people would never go for it. And although our balloting system is certainly in need of improvement and some partisans of both parties are not above cheating when they can get away with it, the United States of America cannot be classified as some banana republic that warrants electoral intervention. Even if we warmly invited the UN to supervise our elections, it is doubtful they would be able to improve the process.

Nevertheless, the process needs improvement. There is no standardized balloting procedure to ensure equal enfranchisement. Some systems are more prone to error (punch cards and butterfly ballots) which statistically will invalidate a higher percentage of ballots regardless of demographics.

The right to vote is among the most sacred rights and duties of American citizenship, and it is scandalous that we haven't made greater efforts to ensure that every eligible voter has his or her vote accurately recorded. Absentee ballots from our troops overseas must be distributed and collected on time, and we also must take care that eligible voters are not incorrectly denied the right to vote.

As absurd as the suggestion of UN supervision may be, I understand the underlying concerns. In the crucial 2000 Florida balloting, thousands of eligible voters (mostly African-American) were mistakenly disenfranchised. Some would say it was intentional, but in any event the procedure for identifying felons and double-checking to make sure that citizens were not denied their rights was sorely lacking.

Another major concern are the computerized touch-screen voting machines with no paper record. Malfunctions would effectively disenfranchise voters, and independent tests have indicated that tampering is not impossible. Whether or not someone might hack these computerized results, the fact is that a paper record is technically not a problem -- and essential for voter confidence and trust. This election is shaping up to be the most bitter in memory, and supporters of the losing candidate are likely to be furious -- especially if there are any grounds for disputing the results.

We must re-establish trust in the sanctity of our vote. We've had four years to improve the system, but we haven't come close to eliminating the flaws, disparities, and suspicions that cheating is possible. The UN can't help us, but we need to do a better job of helping ourselves.

Nations USAs Nations United

Bush invites foreigners to monitor U.S. election?

In what can only be deemed a political move, President Bush has agreed to the request of the 13 congressmen to have foreign monitoring of the US upcoming general election. The only reason I can think of why this was done is to appease the Democrats and democratic voters so they cant say the election was unfair, like in 2000. I still think it is a bad idea and shows lack of faith in our current electoral system. Here is the justification behind the move:

ref: https://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article....RTICLE_ID=39861

United Nations or USA's Nations? History & Civil Business Politics

ANNAN IS PROPOSING ROBUST U.N. REFORMS

Secretary-General Kofi Annan will propose changes to the United Nations today, recommending the expansion of the Security Council to reflect modern realities of global power, the restructuring of the discredited Human Rights Commission to keep rights violators from becoming members and the adoption of a definition of terrorism that would end any justifications of its use for national resistance.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...20122%2C00.html

Page 19 Nations USAs Nations United

U.S. wants no expansion of UN council at this time

Reuters - The United States on Tuesday firmly rejected a resolution by Brazil, Germany, Japan and India to expand the 15-member U.N. Security Council and advised 191 U.N. members against voting for any proposal
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...uncil_reform_dc

Nations USAs Nations United

This is directly from the UN Charter which was written in part by Americans, as well as other countries in agreement with it. The UN has been used by the US to impose its will on other countries through military force or sanctions. There is not a practice of tolerance but rather our way or the highway. The US does what it wants no matter what anyone else thinks. We have ignored treaties that ban such things as torture when its convenient for us. There is not united strength, it is the strength of the US and Britain.

The US was the driving force behind the UN's creation, and now it is the single largest reason that it is inept. By only following the UN's wishes when we want to, we insure that it has no power. An international body only has the power granted to it. If the strongest countries take that power away by ignore what they edict, then why should countries like Iran do what the UN says? Its a truly double standard that we expect others to follow what the UN says but reserve the right to do what ever we want. If we ignore the UN because we are a sovereign nation, then why does Iran or Iraq have to do one solitary thing the UN says?

As long as the US will not honor the wishes of the UN, then the UN remains a tool of the united states. As a tool of the United States, the United Nations is nothing more than a platform for the United States to impose its will on the rest of the world.

United Nations or USA's Nations?

I agree with you 100 per cent. And the thing that frustrates me is how this US Government always whinges about the UN when they know that the US is the puppeteer of the UN. This is one of the great cons in world politics. Blame the UN for disasters even though we control the UN.

The UN cannot do anything without US approval. It is not a world body, rather a body of the elite. The UN is in need of major reform, but not the sort of reform the US is pushing. It needs to be more of a democracy rather then relying on the wishes of a few powerful countries.

United Nations USA's Nations - Page 19

U.S. MUST UPHOLD DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, ANNAN SAYS

Kofi Annan delivered his final major speech as UN Secretary General in Independence, Mo., cautioning the United States against ignoring its own democratic principles.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...an-address.html

United Nations USA's Nations Politics Business Civil & History - Page 19

Kofi Annan will be remembered as one of the great Secretary Generals in history. He steered the UN through very difficult times and remained a champion of human rights despite opposition from powerful members within.

Here is a few excerpts from his final major speech. It is pertinent to this debate because passes on advice to the US in typically subtle Anna style.

Kofi Annan's speech

I believe Annan makes quite a few pertinent points. America has a vital role to play in the world, but it cannot be motivated by greed, self-interest and force its ideology on others. It must practice the same democratic principles it champions on other people. The UN is in need of reform but not the sort of reform that places more power into the hands of permanent security council members. It needs wider representation and should dissolve some of the permanent security council nations.