The Nome Nugget

CZECHS AND SLOVAKS VOTE

SOVIETISM, THE FALSE GOD, ascribes to itself freedom, democracy: the mother country and all of its satellites are designated as "free, democratic nations."

A striking illustration of this "new democracy" was perfectly exemplified when, on a recent Sunday, the Czechs and Slovaks "voted."

Of course, Czechs and Slovaks could have refrained from voting, by staying at home; but use of this liberty was rather dangerous; the absentee was regarded as a Fascist or some other brand of miserable wretch; besides it made him subject to a fine of $200 and one month in jail.

These "free and democratic citizens" could have used a secret ballot; yes, there was a booth which doubtless resembled what American citizens are accustomed to employ when they cast their ballots.

But so enthusiastic was a very large percent of the voters, that they voted publicly in the presence of government election committees, so they could not be accused of voting against the government. However, even if they had chosen to employ the secret ballot, the result would have differed very little.

Although the law provides that voters "may" mark their ballots inside of screen booths, each voter was compelled to accept two easily identified ballots and to discard the ballot he did not use into the waste basket under the eyes of a Communist election official. Let us suppose that on entering a booth, you receive two blank ballots, one of them is red, while the other is white. You mark your ballot very carefully then you come out in sight of the opposition party, and deposit it in the proper place.

Meanwhile you must publicly in open view discard your white ballot. There isn't much doubt as to how you voted, is there?

Meanwhile every effort was made to show that the negative voter was not merely an opponent of the government and therefore unworthy of a job or any other consideration, but he was a parasite and a menace to society.

Nevertheless in spite of all this, there were perhaps a million blank ballots cast; these were deposited in the ballot boxes of Czechoslovakia by the heroes, heroines and prospective martyrs - of freedom and democracy.