Another Newbie Slugfest - Restarted

[KroolDeath]

Good guess.

Krool

[Steerpike]

I'm Australian and our Liberals are actually conservative (Liberal is the name of their party). But I am definately a hard core small l liberal. This election is being shown on 2 of our four free to air tv stations LIVE. I cant believe how much of a vassal nation of the U.S. we really are.
Good luck to any team which is against real war (as opposed to fantasy war like the one we are engaged in.)
And down with Bush.
"Hes the son of a BAD man" Public Enemy.

[PashaDawg]

GO PIKE!!

But, perhaps, I should back up... I don't want this thread to turn into a political flame war. (I am trying to gag myself and keep quiet... it's just hard during an election... ) <shut up, Pasha... shut up and just play your little game...>

[KroolDeath]

Yea, no flaming here in our fantasy land. I have to admit though that every major election year I am fascinated by the workings of the Electoral College, in a good way. Just read some good articles both for and against it. Interesting system...

Krool

[PashaDawg]

The electoral college is an odd animal. I have not read a lot about it, but it's my understanding that it usually "works," if one defines that as being in accordance with the majority vote. It's also my understanding that the U.S. founding fathers adopted the system because they did not quite trust the masses (of course, they also only gave the vote to white landowners, too, I think). Maine is one of two states that divides it's electoral votes along congressional district lines. I sort of like that idea.

[KroolDeath]

Yea, that is exactly what the founding fathers were thinking, although the system has morphed itself a couple of times since then to suit additional purposes. Most proponents of the system see it as a tool to give a higher proportion of voting power to the smaller and less populous states, forcing the candidates to not just campaign in large urban areas. Makes some sense there. It forces a distribution of popular support, not just in concentrated areas.

I read about Maine and Nebraska's proportional electoral voting and it is a neat concept over the "winner takes all". I believe there is a fear, should other states adopt such a system (I believe Colorado has it on the ballot), that it would be difficult for a candidate to get a a majority of the electoral votes, thus throwing the election in the House of Reps (and the VP into the Senate).

Anyway, just enjoyable research to see how the whole political process comes together from the regional elections all the way up to the federal level and the process of getting there.

Missouri just went Bush.

Krool

[KroolDeath]

Caelum is on...Turn will roll soon.