Politics!

[Robin Blankenship]

Bill Clinton made much of his electoral college victory to give credence to
the notion that he had a "mandate" from the American people to implement his
policies. He, who won 43% of the popular vote. It all depends on who's ox is
being Gored.

Robin Blankenship


----- Original Message -----
From: <DGPEAKE@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 10:56 PM
Subject: Re: Politics!


> In a message dated 11/10/00 8:40:29 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> sckline@home.com writes:
>
> <<
>  >One good thing about the electoral college is that it disallows the more
>  >populous states to "outvote" the smaller states.
>
>  I'm afraid I have to disagree. What it does is to distort the campaign
>  strategies to favor the states which are undecided. Those in states,
>  large or small, where the outcome is pretty certain will get ignored,
>  while those states which might go either way get all the attention,
>  especially if they are large states.
>
>  But that is neither here nor there. The question is whether anyone's
>  vote should count less than anyone else's. I don't think it should
>  matter where you live. Also, the electoral college clouds the outcome,
>  since electors in several states are permitted to vote against the
>  popular vote in their states, if they choose. They usually don't
>  choose to, but they are allowed to. In other states, if they vote
>  against the popular vote, they go to jail. The whole system is
>  arbitrary and unjust. Maybe it made sense in the 18th century, but
>  it doesn't now.
>
>  I think that the electoral college should be dissolved before the
>  next presidential election. Actually, it should have been dissolved
>  70 years ago. MHO.
>
>  Susan
>
>   >>
>
> The electoral college allows each state to have representation, regardless
of
> its size. It makes the candidates visit the smaller states, otherwise they
> would only go to large metropolitan city's. I would not like the large
states
> like California make the decisions for the rest of the country.
>
> Dave Peake, RPT
> Portland Chapter
> Oregon City, OR
> www.davespianoworks.locality.com