Rather than writing a book in Lisa's comments section I'll toss in my two cents worth here. The Electoral College was seen as a way to protect the small states from the larger states. The founders couldn't have forseen the public education system, population shifts, growth of giant corporations, influence of lobbyists, and the almost instantaneous communication system we have now.
There is a scene early in the movie 1776: John Adams is having a "conversation" with his wife Abigail. He's in Philadelphia, she's in Massachusetts. She asks why he can't come home for a visit. It's only 300 miles to Boston. If "you left tonight, you could be home in only eight days." My sister lives about 300 miles from Eugene. I can be there in about six hours. It might take seven or so if it's winter and the winds are really bad in the Columbia Gorge.
At least if the electoral votes are allocated in some proportional way the candidates will have to pay attention to all of us. As Lisa suggests allocating by a proportion of the total vote mean that they can't count on a majority coming from any one area.
As it stands, at least voting assures me of the right to holler very, very loudly if I don't like the result. At least we get to vote. At least we don't have to worry about somebody knocking on the door in the middle of the night if we don't vote the right way.
1 comment:
I personally would just like to see a straight popular vote. :-) ---Robbie
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