NotUrsula
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2002
Oh, and about the assertion that like votes for like. Sometimes. Most commonly, as Gumbo pointed out, for most people, that connection is the first thing that draws your attention, but once your attention is drawn, then it is time to open your ears and listen to what the person is actually saying, and MUCH more importantly, open your eyes and exercise your fingers on a keyboard to find out what that person's track record of voting and accepting funding is. Yes, there are plenty of people who vote for surface attributes, but that is absolutely NOT restricted to race or gender. Starting in 1960, television has massively influenced the "superficial" voter to go for the tallest candidate -- happens nearly every time.
Don't get me started on the demise of high school civics classes. You want to see government improve? Insist to your state board of education that EVERYONE needs at least 2 years of government classes, covering not just national government but also the way that state and local governments operate. That "3 branches" flow chart is lovely but not near enough to create informed voters. They can take these classes in middle school; in fact, that's probably a better time for it.
Beside the civics education, what is my number 1 change that I think will improve the electoral process in America? GET RID OF WINNER TAKE ALL ELECTORAL VOTING!!! It is not necessary to change the Constitution and eliminate the Electoral College; just make this one change to a practice that is NOT mentioned in the Constitution. Let the majority in each state have two votes for their Senate seats, but all of the other votes should be cast as the vote went in each respective Congressional district.
Don't get me started on the demise of high school civics classes. You want to see government improve? Insist to your state board of education that EVERYONE needs at least 2 years of government classes, covering not just national government but also the way that state and local governments operate. That "3 branches" flow chart is lovely but not near enough to create informed voters. They can take these classes in middle school; in fact, that's probably a better time for it.
Beside the civics education, what is my number 1 change that I think will improve the electoral process in America? GET RID OF WINNER TAKE ALL ELECTORAL VOTING!!! It is not necessary to change the Constitution and eliminate the Electoral College; just make this one change to a practice that is NOT mentioned in the Constitution. Let the majority in each state have two votes for their Senate seats, but all of the other votes should be cast as the vote went in each respective Congressional district.
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