Reasons we should stick with the Electoral College

Because of the 2000 election, many of us have lost faith in the electoral college.  Myself included would have been included in that until recently, when I had an opportunity to study this.  Should we amend the constitution and elect the president by popular vote, or stick with the electoral process that our founders designed and has been successful all but 3 times?  Below, I give a number of reasons why we should keep the system of the electoral college.

1. Gives fairer representation of the less populated states.
   
   • While the large states still dominate the electoral college, this is in no way as much as would occur in a popular vote. Montana, for example, which only has about 800k eligible votes, would be nearly statistically insignificant in a popular vote election compared to the 3 electoral votes they are guaranteed under the electoral college.
2. Provides a clear runoff plan if no majority.  (Congress elects)
3. Offers a two party stability as well as promoting strong parties.
   
   • Popular vote would promote many parties and most likely prevent the ability of a majority vote. Contrary to popular belief, a two party system offers a great deal of stability, as they act as checks and balances against each other. Some European democracies that elect with popular vote or multi-representative districts have over 40 parties. This prohibits the ability to have strong partisanship to balance the government.
4. Works for a large majority of our elections.
   • Congress has only had to select the president twice.
   • Popular vote has only not matched up with the electoral college results 3 times.
5. The indirect election of the electoral college helps protect from variances in voter law.
   • We have 50 states with 50 different flavors of voting laws. While this allows for states to sustain their power, it also would all too much variance in vote tabulation to verify a national popular vote count.

Overall, selecting by popular vote would threaten the stability of our democracy, as well as require a significant amendment of the constitution.  I seriously doubt 2/3 of congress and 3/4 of our states would ever ratify this if it were proposed.

Reminder: You aren't just voting for President on November 4th

I've spent hours and hours researching to make the best decision I can for the presidential election.  Then, I received my Texas absentee ballot, and was shockingly reminded that there are 28 other decisions to be made on the ballot.  Some of them are equally important as the presidential.

Now most of us remember that there are state and local elections on the ballot when we are in the voting booth and either one of two actions are taken:  you vote straight party (what I did the last two elections), or don't vote for the other offices.  Thanks to voting reform in the 1890's, we have today split ticket ballots allowing us to make good educated votes.

For my fellow Texans, we have some key positions on the ballot:

• US Senate
  John Cornyn - Republican (Incumbent)
  Rick Noriega - Democrat
  Yvonne Schick - Libertarian
• US House - District 21 (This one may differ depending on your district)
  Lamar Smith - Republican
  James Strohm - Libertarian
• Railroad Commissioner (nothing to do with the RR, but manages all oil and gas commerce in the state)
  Michael Williams - Republican
  Mark Thompson - Democrat
  David Floyd - Libertarian
• Chief Justice - Texas Supreme Court
  Wallace Jefferson - Republican
  Jim Jordan - Democratic
  Tom Oxford - Libertarian

So, I've made it even easier for you by providing links to the campaign web sites for the above candidates.  However, you can obtain a great deal of additional information as well as area specific ballot selections by going to votesmart.org and entering your zip code.

Remember, you can vote early in Texas.  Happy Voting!

Biographies of both candidates from the Biography Channel

Below are the links to the videos, along with what I took away from them:

Obama

• Comes from a lower middle class background
• Struggled with conflicting identies in his childhood
• Lived in Indonesia for a short while - saw true poverty and need first hand
• Ivy League education from scholarships and student loans
• Extreme fast track to nomination
• Wants to be President to make a positive change in the country, and the world

McCain

• Comes from an upper class military family (grand father and father were 4-star Navy admirals)
• Didn't really "choose" to serve his country in the Navy, he was "born into it", as McCain has said
• Road the coat tails of his father and grandfather through his military career (Multiple mishaps, naval academy, war college, living through POW, National acclaim and attention after return from POW)
• Was one of nearly 600 other POWs that went through similar suffering (the others aren't using their experience as justification for the presidency)
• Large political connections (carryover from family influence) assisted in election to Senate (direct Reagan endorsement)
• Was a drinking, smoking, gambling, womanizing, cheating, "rebel" most of his life
• Is impulsive, has a "hot temper", easily set off
• Cindy McCain stole drugs from an aid organization which means poor people in need didn't get their drugs
• Keating scandle almost ruined his senate career, bounced back with campaign finance reform bill (did he actually care about this or was the motivation to restore his career?)
• Wants to be president to... ?? Because it's a great challenge? Would out do his father and grandfather? Is bored of the senate? (Still haven't figured this one out)

As usual, comments welcome!

Refusing to accept the "I don't like either candidate" excuse

Ok, I'm tired of folks saying "I don't like either candidate", or "I don't think we have a good choice this election". In my opinion this is a very weak argument or justification for a lack of civic engagement. If you don't like either candidate, then vote for one of the other third party candidates.

Interestingly, most of the people that I get this response from did not participate in the primaries and are not familiar with the local and state elections on the ballot. Also, these folks seem to be leaning towards support of McCain.

If you have a reason but just don't want to share, I strongly urge you share your logic or justification as there are other undecided voters out there that may be able to benefit.