Electoral reform? by Connorflynn

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

Electoral reform?

POSTED BY: CONNORFLYNN
UPDATED: Monday, November 1, 2004 09:21
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Monday, November 1, 2004 4:34 AM

In the 2000 election we had a president elected who didn't win the popular vote. I'm a conservative and all things considered, even I wasn't real happy with the fact. This election seems to be gearing up for the same outcome..that we will have a president elect who doesn't win the popular vote, but wins the electoral vote.

In my opinon, the electoral college should be greatly reformed or done away with altogether. If we are going to keep it, then the electoral votes should be doled out based on percentages rather then winner takes all. I understand the initial reasoning behind the electoral college, but it really comes down to unequal campaigning based on battleground states. In its current state, this practice disenfranchises whole states rather then individual voters. Each candidate should only get one shot in each state. In otherwords, each candidate can only visit each state once and had best make the best of it while they are there. I also think that there should be a set limit on campaign contributions and spending, so that the little guy who doesn't have millions of dollars to campaign with can be on equal ground. This may give us the best bang for our buck and bring some real candidates to the front and center (Badnarik and Nader being good examples.. a vote for either is a vote thrown away, because they couldn't buy their way into this election - though Nader has done better then most)

Another aspect of the popular vote vs electoral vote is that folks who vote for candidates in a particularly partisan heavy state tend to have their votes not count at all(in reality)..in my opinion thats bullshit. It's no wonder we can only seem to mobilize approx 34-35% of the nation to vote. A Republican living in a Democrat heavy state might as well not bother showing up to vote on the national election and vice versa.

What do you think?

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Monday, November 1, 2004 6:55 AM

DIETCOKE

I have to agree with you. Nuff said.

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Monday, November 1, 2004 9:21 AM

HARDWARE

The elctoral college is a relic of a government set up in an agrarian society. Ever since the invention of the telegraph it has been antiquated. Get rid of it. I love politicians who talk about our great democracy. News Flash! If your citizens don't vote directly for an elected official what you have is a representative republic, just like ancient Rome.

Here's an interesting article.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/s_268060.html

And a site to disolve the electoral college.

http://www.therestofus.org/electoral_college/abolish_electoral_college
.htm

While abolishing the electoral college would require a constitutional ammendment we have passed 5 ammendments related to equal voting rights. Why not one more?

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

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