Dear Ambassador,

I just learned that the deadline to register to vote in this year’s election is tomorrow Oct 12th. As a good Tunisian who wants to exercise his right and duty to vote, I would like to be part of this historic event. Unfortunately, for some reason, I did not get my "vote registration card". The race is very tight according to the latest polls (especially in Echourouk and Al Hadeth), I am an UNDECIDED voter and I have the feeling that my vote is very crucial in deciding the outcome of this election. I watched the last 3 debates along with the multiple ads put out by both the opposition candidates and our beloved President and guess what ! I am still UNDECIDED. Yet, yesterday I started leaning toward Ben Ali when he showed how generous he is by pushing for a legislation to increase the time slot allowed on TV for all his opponents (except himself) by 25%. A whole 25% (from 4 minutes to 5 minutes). That’s amazing and it shows the character of the man.

He, always, loves to put the emphasis on the percentages, not the numbers, but the percentages. Percentages are the key here. 20% of the seats in the parliament are reserved to the opposition and at this pace, in 100 years they will be increased by 30% (of the 20% of course). Even the americans who claim to be the pioneers of democracy and freedom could not understand Ben Ali’s move. Neither Bush nor Kerry has the guts to keep their party out of 20% of the seats in the senate.

Please send me my card so I can be proud and have a chance to contribute to the democratic process that’s been underway since 7/11.

Thank you very much...