By: Vrin Parker
vrnparker@yahoo.com
May 31, 2004

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My Phone Bill and India"s Elections Vrin Parker

I recently relocated and began a new life with my wife and children. As usual we had to find a residence, jobs, phone service etc. We opted with T-mobile as our phone service provider. Initially we were very happy with the convenience and simplicity of our cell phone service.

That all changed, however, when our phone service was cut off. I called customer service and was told that ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER I had gone over my usage limit. I asked the representative to tell me which calls in particular I supposedly made or received that put me over the limit. The rep then read out a series of phone numbers I had never called and also claimed that I made a series of text messages as well.

At the risk of lacking tech savviness, I admitted that I never made text messages for the simple reason that I nor my wife knows how to make text messages. But the rep was adamant and basically said that until I paid the $300 I supposedly owed my service would be discontinued until further notice. I was helpless.

As I listened to the T-mobile rep inform me that as long as the computer says I owe the money I must pay I had the TV news on. Suddenly I heard that rare word in the US media...INDIA. So I ignored the ongoing rambling of the ineffective customer service rep and listened. ABC`s Peter Jenning`s announced, "India, the world`s largest democracy, begins its balloting today using electronic computerised systems."

I was stunned. Here I was, my life put on hold while I tried to convince T-mobile that despite what the computer says, I do not owe any money for calls I never made or received. Just as adamantly the T-mobile rep said that I do owe the money and that I obviously made the calls. To add insult to injury the T-mobile rep then claimed that I was simply trying to get out of my contract.

IF THESE COMPUTERS CAN NOT ACCURATELY GAUGE ONE FAMILY`S PHONE USAGE HOW ON EARTH CAN THEY BE TRUSTED WITH THE DESTINY OF THE WORLD`S LARGEST DEMOCRATIC NATION???!!!

So here we are post election. We are told that the "People" decided to throwout India`s first truly indigenous-value-based leadership not just on the national level but on every level. Anyone questioning the results is being labeled a racist or conspiracy freak.

T-mobile still demands my hard-earned money for usage I never used and its reps claim that I am just an irresponsible customer. I have filed complaints with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and the FCC. But meanwhile I have no phone service because the COMPUTER says I do not deserve one.

According to the computers, India does not want stability and its people are blind to the great strides India has achieved under Vajpayee`s leadership.

The fact is only two things happened. The computers are incorrect, as they are about my phone bill, or they were criminally manipulated by anti-democratic forces.

Democracy is too personal, fragile and important to be left to machines. California the economic powerhouse of the USA agrees and has banned their use. India should do the same.

Vrin Parker

Computer Voting Banned in 4 CA Counties
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1830963&nav=5D7lMkhJ 

State Pulls Plug On Electronic Voting
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4874091/

ACLU Wants Investigation Of E-Voting Machines
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/2895813/detail.html

BBC ON THE DANGERS OF COMPUTERIZED ELECTIONS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3169706.stm

Risks in Computerized Elections
http://www.notablesoftware.com/Papers/RisksPGN.html

If You Want To Win An Election, Just Control The Voting Machines
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0131-01.htm