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Product Details
Hacking Democracy tells the tale of a modern-day David and Goliath. On one side stand three corporations in the voting machine business, led by Diebold. On the other stands Bev Harris, a concerned citizen from Seattle. When touch-screen voting machines are installed in her community, she decides to do some research. Harris discovers that black boxes aren't exactly fool-proof-far from it. As technology experts attest, the code is vulnerable to manipulation. Worse yet, after-the-fact changes are undetectable. So, Harris forms a grass-roots organization and proceeds to dig deeper. If that means dumpster-diving, so be it. Starting in 2004, Simon Ardizzone and Russell Michaels accompany Harris around the country to document her mission. Over the course of three years, they find several troubling instances of corporate malfeasance and computer malfunction. Foremost among consequences, her findings lead the State of California to file criminal charges against Diebold. Since most American votes are counted by computer, this isn't a trivial matter. Like This Film is Not Yet Rated, which reveals the inner workings of the MPAA, Hacking Democracy sheds light on a secretive process that affects all Americans--even those unfortunates who can't be bothered to vote. After all, they still have to live with the results, accurate or otherwise. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Reviews
 (5 stars) - Invaluable To The Integrity Of Our Democracy.
Many of the revelations brought forth in Hacking Democracy probably would have seemed crazy if I hadn't been living in Florida when it all happened. During the 2002 election the computer voting machines forced me to write in a third party candidate that was supposed to be a choice. If I got one letter wrong in his name, the vote would not have counted. In 2004 I personally witnessed machines that would not accept a Presidential vote for John Kerry, each time the vote registered for Bush. In addition were the endless stories of problems in heavily democratic districts, most of which never made it onto the news. The media appeared to be ovewhelmed by the stories and had to pick the ones that seemed most credible.
Ultimately I was able to confirm much about how the Florida elections were manipulated. Bev Harris was a public figure showing what so many others were discovering on their own. In the end I wrote a novel called Purple State full of stories about what I witnessed. It was made more credible by the work that Bev has done with her organization Black Box Voting. Her efforts and this movie are invaluable to the integrity of our democracy.
(5 stars) - Corporate tyranny
This is a tremendous documentary. Our democracy rises or falls on the integrity of our voting processes; that we've handed the tabulation of our votes over to unaccountable, highly secretive and in some cases party affiliated, private corporations is unconscionable. What I can't stand is that the categorical denials of the Diebold executives (insert any CEO's unsubstantiated plea of innocence) regularly and inexplicably satisfy those presumably in a position to regulate, fine or jail the white collar thieves even in the face of prima facie evidence of corporate malfeasance. Greg Palast broke the story of Florida voter disenfranchisement during the 2000 election. Prior to running the story his editor contacted Governor Jeb Bush, who predictably denied any wrongdoing and on the Governor's word alone, sans any investigation or any corroborating witnesses, the story never ran. Diebold was fined a nominal 2.6 million dollars for technical glitches and inaccuracies occurring in the state of Ohio, a pittance of their annual revenues but what is even more infuriating is that Ohio continues to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on Diebold equipment. This entire thing is one big charade. In America there is no higher authority than the multi-national corporations, at least not in general, practical terms. And we no longer have a democratically governed, constitutionally based republic; what we have is "corporatism" or state capitalism, i.e. FASCISM. Read the End of America and The Creature of from Jekyll Island and then, I don't know, start a riot--a peaceable, civilly disobedient demonstration, or something.
(5 stars) - Hacking Democracy/Hijacking Your Vote
This is a very good video that will open ones eyes to the problems of the voting machines now in use (and misuse)in this country, particularly the ones by the Diebold Corp. I was a candidate in an election who was victimized by one of these machines last month. After watching the video four or five times, I can see exactly how they did it. This video should be a "Must Read" by anyone who is seeking a political office through a public election process. It will open your eyes (and make you angry)with how the votes are tallied and so easily manipulated. I was so impressed with the video that I wrote (e-mailed) the author, Bev harris, for information. I was surprised to receive numerous, personal replies from her with supportive information. That, in itself, is impressive, because she believes in her cause, and she knows her subject. Perhaps it should be rated 10 stars? **********
(5 stars) - Worth watching and having for many reasons
This low-budget video Hacking Democracy makes the case for the real possibility of fraudulently winning elections with computerized voting by following the personal investigation of an interested citizen, Bev Harris. Besides being a "must see" for anyone seriously interested in making the world a better place by government service or by voting, it is an entertaining and inspiring human-interest story about what one person can do today in America. This moving example of the volunteer work of a few concerned citizens contrasted with the exposed fragility of our democracy -- dependent as it is on informed ethical choices of our government servants and the people they hire -- makes the message and emotional content of this video much bigger than its budget.
(5 stars) - Hacking Democracy is (at its core) non-partisan
While many of the investigations high-lighted in the film are cases where the count favors Republicans, Bev Harris clearly states (in the film) that this is not a partisan issue and that many voting precincts that favor the black box voting are dominated by the Democratic party. This is an important film that should be seen by everyone in the U.S. And they should note that the techniques demonstrated can hack the vote in ANY direction.
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