Once again, the state of Florida is mired in mud and muck relating to a presidential election. Last time it was hanging chads. This time we have only ourselves to blame. Our elected leaders decided to not follow the Democratic National Committee’s rules for when to schedule our primary. Our state legislatures took action to move up our primary. They were told in no uncertain terms that if we moved our primary our votes would not count.

Yet our legislatures decided to move our primary. Now they are ‘surprised” that the DNC has disavowed our votes. “The stark reality is that all Democrats lose if this is not resolved immediately,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman wrote in a memo sent late Wednesday to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the national party and the Florida congressional delegation, which opposes the plan.” The simple sad truth is our leaders did not follow the rules and are now making it look like our lost vote is due to the DNC. The fault lies with our state leadership. They chose to snub their noses at the DNC and it is their fault our votes are not counted.

When it comes time to reelect those involved, I can assure you my vote will count. My vote will be to rid our state legislature of those who made such a bad decision. They can point their fingers at others all day but when the light goes out, the decision rests squarely on their shoulders and theirs alone. Don’t blame someone else for your bad judgment. The voters in Florida are not that stupid to not know who the culprits are. I think it is right to disallow our votes. Our leaders knew this was wrong, and they pressed on anyway. It is a firm acknowledgement that there are rules that need to be followed. If you do not follow the approved voting guidelines, they only have themselves to blame. I will remember who they were and will do my best to get rid of them come November.