Not for sale, and not funny
CNN published the perfectly ironic story on July 4, 2008: Student charged with trying to sell vote on eBay. A sad tale indeed. For on the very day where we (mostly) put aside politics and celebrate our independence, we were told how one immature college student played a “joke” by listing his vote for sale on eBay. His actions were not funny, and were an insult to the legitimacy of eBay and the sovereignty of our democracy.
Luckily, the Minnesota Secretary State’s office responded swiftly and appropriately. The office discovered student, Max P. Sanders, with a subpoena to eBay, and promptly charge
d him with “one count of bribery, treating, and soliciting under a 1893 state law that makes it a crime to offer to buy or sell a vote.” Possible penalties are a $10,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.
At a minimum, this does not speak well for the University of Minnesota. Not only did a University student pull this asinine stunt, he wrote, “You’re country depends on You!” Multiple mistakes in a moronic move.
John Aiken, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office says it perfectly:
“We take it very seriously. Fundamentally, we believe it is wrong to sell your vote.” There are people that have died for this country for our right to vote, and to take something that lightly, to say, ‘I can be bought.’
“It’s a real shame. I can imagine the conversations being held in American Legion Clubs and VFWs about whether this is a joke or not.”
I commend the serious response to this matter. We have a system based on our right to vote, and “jokes” are one thing, but in cases like this, actions speak louder than words. The United States Constitution, specifically the 15th and 19th amendments, and laws protect the sanctity of the right to vote. The idea of selling a vote runs counter to the fundamental principle of the United States. While Mr. Sanders does not necessarily deserve to “rot in jail,” he deserves punishment. While the media coverage on this incident was not overwhelming, hopefully the serious outcome of this intended joke will begin to cement the respect due to voting into the American psyche.
Tags: Amendment, eBay, Freedom, U.S. Constitution, Vote
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
