BRYCE ON POLITICS
– Who is doing the asking, you or the state?
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In the early days of this country, voting was restricted to white male landowners. Of course, this changed over the years, but there is something to be said about having landowners vote as they have a vested interest in the country, but that is another subject for another day.
Historically, voting was done in person, using either paper and pencil or a variety of machines. Over time, it became necessary to create an “absentee ballot” for people who could not vote in person, e.g.; people with physical disabilities, people scheduled to be out of town on voting day, members of the military serving far from home, etc. This provided the means for citizens to fulfill their civic duty.
Here in Florida, we refer to absentee voting as “Vote-by-Mail” but please do not confuse it with Vote-by-Mail programs implemented by other states. Florida’s “Vote-by-Mail” requires a person to first be registered with the state to vote, then requesting a ballot to vote. To register, you will need either your Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card (both include the person’s photo). You will also need the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Once registered, a person can request a ballot from the state either over the Internet, by telephone, in person, or by mail. The request can be for one time or as an on-going basis. This all sounds rather simple, right? It is, but the two key variables here are “registration” and “requesting.”
In other states, mostly western states controlled by Democrats, they are sending “Vote by Mail” ballots to all registered voters, whether they want it or not. Such initiatives are being exercised by Democrat politicians claiming it will help those voters who do not want to catch the COVID-19 virus. The fact such legislation is being implemented strictly along party lines makes one suspect there are other motivational factors involved, such as encouraging Democrats to vote. Using registered voters from Florida as an example, here is what the Democrats are afraid of. In 2016 there were more registered Democrats than Republicans in Florida, yet Mr. Trump won the election here. Why? Simply because more Republicans voted than Democrats. So, their hope is to motivate more Democrats to vote this time than in 2016. As an aside, the same is shaping up for 2020.
As for me, I like the fundamental concept of an absentee ballot, simply because it gives people who want to vote the ability to do so, particularly if they are unable to vote in person. To ask for a ballot means you care and want to stay involved with the electoral process. Having it mailed out without requesting it is highly suspicious, as party officials may pick up ballots and vote on the voter’s behalf. Let’s also imagine if you know someone is missing, deceased, moved, hospitalized, or has no intention of voting, what is to stop them from voting on the person’s behalf? Not much. Then again, this is incredibly illegal and falls under the category of “Voter Fraud.” Moral people would avoid doing this, but what if you are desperate enough to do anything to regain the White House and Congress?
For these reasons, I am opposed to “Vote by Mail” as defined by other states. Frankly, it sounds crooked as Hell. I do not have a problem with normal absentee voting, so long as the person is “registered” and has “requested” the ballot. As to using the COVID-19 excuse to implement such a program, why is it we can go to super markets and stores and not catch the virus? Is it because they know something the Democrats do not? As someone else mentioned to me, “If we can’t trust states to properly count COVID deaths, how can we trust them to count our votes?”
Call me old-fashioned, but I would still prefer only landowners vote as they have a genuine concern for their country.
Keep the Faith!
P.S. – Also, I have a NEW book, “Before You Vote: Know How Your Government Works”, What American youth should know about government, available in Printed, PDF and eBook form. This is the perfect gift for youth!
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Tim Bryce is an author, freelance writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com
For Tim’s columns, see: timbryce.com
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As a long-time management consultant who has worked with a wide range of companies around the world, I have been considering how well Democrats manage at the municipal, county, state, and Congressional levels. Aside from giving away benefits in order to buy votes, they have not impressed me. I therefore beg the question…
We’re now less than 100 days from our national election. Absentee ballots and early voting is just around the corner. The last four years have been tumultuous to say the least. As I go into the voting booth, here is what I’ll be thinking…
Before we begin, let me be clear, I believe President Trump is going to win handily in November, but I’ve been pondering the consequences if he lost, which every American should consider. The polls tell us former VP Joe Biden is way ahead, just like they did for Sec. Hillary Clinton in 2016. Please remember, polls make their money not by telling the truth, but by creating controversy, just like the news media. Their surveying techniques are inconsistent and, as such, are flawed. If the polls said an incumbent was ahead, nobody would pay attention, but if the underdog is projected to win, then you’ve got something to peddle, which is what we have today in our presidential race. Just remember, none of the polls predicting a Biden victory were correct in 2016. In other words, don’t hold your breath on Mr. Biden’s chances.
A good friend of mine recently told me he has given up on sports for the foreseeable future. This was a bit startling as I knew him to be an ardent fan of Major League Baseball, the NFL, the National Hockey League, and various college sports for many years (however, he gave up on the NBA years ago). He contends the interest in sports was beaten out of him by the news media, COVID-19, and the politicizing of sports. He is so disgusted with it, he won’t even read the sports section in the local newspaper anymore, it is that bad. Frankly, I couldn’t argue with him as there are many such changes happening all around us which is commonly referred to as the “new normal.”
It’s time for me to begin making preparations to do my annual statistical analysis on voting in Florida. This is when I dust off my spreadsheets and ready myself for the influx of voting data from the state. August 18th is the Florida Primary, and early voting for it is August 8th – 15th. As I’m sure you are aware, Florida is a swing state, just as it was in 2016.
To say Independence Day was unusual this year is an understatement. There were few home town parades celebrating it, fewer firework displays, and more protesting from the far-Left. Americans were particularly appalled by the 
One of the great fatalities of the 21st century is the integrity of American journalism. We no longer have confidence in the media’s ability to represent the facts honestly and impartially. America’s trust in the news media is almost as low as their trust in Congress, and that is not a good thing. In fact, many Americans consider the news media as a branch of a political party, and No it is not the Republicans, which is why they look elsewhere for sources of news, mostly trusting live speeches, events and interviews, and not the OpEds of what was said afterwards.
Back in the 1960 presidential election, pitting John F. Kennedy against Richard M. Nixon, JFK won by an eyelash. Had it not been for some critical votes produced at the last minute in Chicago (home to Mayor Richard J. Daley (D)) and Texas (home to VP candidate Lyndon B. Johnson (D)), the election could have easily gone to Richard Nixon. Later, ballots were identified bearing the names of people who were deceased, which became legendary in terms of voter fraud. The election results in Illinois and Texas were going to be challenged by the Republicans, but Nixon didn’t want to put the country through a Constitutional crisis and bowed out.
THE BRYCE IS RIGHT! 