NFB...Im so disgusted... Anyone else?

[SteveH95Formula]

I'm with ya Jay! I'm from Michigan and voted yes to both proposals and straight republican!

[alenstein]

3rd choice, Ralph Nader

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

A friend of mine wore a "Nader 2004" t-shirt for Halloween.

When someone asked what she was, she said, "I'm a wasted vote."

[Bug Lover]

40%??? I think you are giving the U.S. electorate way too much credit! I would say about 90% or more have no clue about the construction of our government and the reasons it was constructed that way in the first place. Without that knowledge, a person has no business voting or making policy decisions in this country. It is the reason why we are in the mess we are in. A few years ago, I read the results of a very elementary American History quiz given to college students. It was astonishing how many failed it.

Our founding fathers created the electoral college specifically for that reason - the average person is not educated enough about politics and economics to make the proper choice, BUT they did not want to take our right to vote from us.

[markd79ta]

Our founding fathers created the electoral college specifically for that reason - the average person is not educated enough about politics and economics to make the proper choice, BUT they did not want to take our right to vote from us.

There were actually two main reasons. The geographic size in proportion to the ability to travel and campaign in the days without mainstream political parties and communication to express ideas. In other words, there would have been regions voting for their particular candidate with little to no organization. It would really be awful, if one particular region kept winning the election based on population. Although, that happens anyway, unfortunately. The other was the debate over states rights. It would be really nice if every state had an equal voice in the electoral college. That way, one region couldn't impose there will on everybody else. I am pretty tired of being told what to do by the east and left coast so and sos! The electoral college should be identical to the Senate...equal number of votes for each state. The presidential race should be a state-wide race in each state.,.the candidate with the most states wins. It would be really nice if the only direct elected body was the House (small enough area to accurately represent a community of interest)...as it was intended. Oh well, big sigh, drink my beer and move on!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

There were actually two main reasons. The geographic size in proportion to the ability to travel and campaign in the days without mainstream political parties and communication to express ideas. In other words, there would have been regions voting for their particular candidate with little to no organization. It would really be awful, if one particular region kept winning the election based on population. Although, that happens anyway, unfortunately. The other was the debate over states rights. It would be really nice if every state had an equal voice in the electoral college. That way, one region couldn't impose there will on everybody else. I am pretty tired of being told what to do by the east and left coast so and sos! The electoral college should be identical to the Senate...equal number of votes for each state. The presidential race should be a state-wide race in each state.,.the candidate with the most states wins. It would be really nice if the only direct elected body was the House (small enough area to accurately represent a community of interest)...as it was intended. Oh well, big sigh, drink my beer and move on!

Here is the perfect example of what you are talking about.
http://www.zogby.com/
If Bush takes Va and looses Pe, Kerry would win without taking a single southern state. Look at how much more red there is than blue. I'm not sure but I don't remember Kerry coming to any southern state except Florida. He didn't come to Georgia.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Personally, I think the electoral system is perfect.

You guys bring up valuable points, but you gottta remember that it would be VERY possible for a candidate to lose the popular vote by a landlside and win the electoral vote by a landslide. It wouldn't be representative enough of the populaiton as a whole. Do you think the population would really be OK with voting 75% for one candidate, but getting the other? There would be a civil war.

I love the electoral system because it lets both the states and the population's voice be heard. Sure, you could slightly lose the popular vote, but win the electoral vote... or you could lose the states' votes, but win the electoral vote. But it is a good mix.

I absolutely HATE the idea of a nationwide popular vote... there are too many different interests and needs in different regions that would be ignored. Also... what would our state borders really mean? We would all be one big mosh pit.

[markd79ta]

Here is the perfect example of what you are talking about.
http://www.zogby.com/
If Bush takes Va and looses Pe, Kerry would win without taking a single southern state. Look at how much more red there is than blue. I'm not sure but I don't remember Kerry coming to any southern state except Florida. He didn't come to Georgia.

This is the reason why domestic(local and regional) policy should be left to the states NOT the federal government. The federal government is definitely not representative of my region in recent years. I think a lot of people can say that. It is wrong for one region or one group of people to impose their will on others...that is what our federal government does on a daily basis (it is all special interest "self" interested cr@p). Everybody talks about the president and nothing about their local officials. This is totally backwards. The federal government is necessary for commerce, infrastructure, security, and defense; but it is totally unnecessary domestically...that duty belongs to the local and state governments. I would much rather talk to the state representative down the street then the congressmen in Washington...I bet the state legislatures know a heck of a lot more about my community then the elected officials that live in other states. It is just simply awful...what a complete mess.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

You would think with all of the brilliant people we have here in the US, that we could get two decent people to run for president!

One problem is the job really doesn't pay all that much. Yes, you get great benefits, but on the other hand, it takes YEARS off your life, destroys your family's privacy, and there's that odd chance that someone will kill you. A highly qualified and intelligent person can make much more in the private sector, so many of these potential candidates aren't interested in civil service.

Now, among those that do run for the office, there are other motives. Some like the power trip, while others want to serve their country. Any chimp can see that Kerry is in the former category and Bush is in the latter. Bush will get my vote, but, as for you, you're better off twiddling your thumbs.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

One problem is the job really doesn't pay all that much. Yes, you get great benefits, but on the other hand, it takes YEARS off your life, destroys your family's privacy, and there's that odd chance that someone will kill you. A highly qualified and intelligent person can make much more in the private sector, so many of these potential candidates aren't interested in civil service.

Now, among those that do run for the office, there are other motives. Some like the power trip, while others want to serve their country. Any chimp can see that Kerry is in the former category and Bush is in the latter. Bush will get my vote, but, as for you, you're better off twiddling your thumbs.

Is Bush going to win your state or what? You can thank Detroit for Michigan going to Kerry ...

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Is Bush going to win your state or what? You can thank Detroit for Michigan going to Kerry ...

No, I'm ashamed to say we have a lot of liberals here in WI - Madison & Milwaukee are heavily Democratic. Looks like Sen. Feingold stays in Washington, also. Both our senators, our governor, and the 2 mayors are Dems. I have a great Republican representative though, Jim Sensenbrenner, whom I am proud of. But it would take a miracle for Bush to carry Wisconsin.

[e40]

No, I'm ashamed to say we have a lot of liberals here in WI

No kidding, especially Madison.. Check out the rants going on in the 'Isthmus' message board!

http://www.thedailypage.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=40

Scanning through Madison area blogs (livejournal, etc) many are seriously considering moving to Canada because of the election result! LOL.

[Mr Nice Guy]

Ya never know, in the halloween episode, they did cover themselves up as clinton and dole during the elections in an attempt to rule the world Just remember not to vote for kodos, he's the one that enslaved humanity

No no no you got it backwards. Kang enslaved humanity. Remember Homer says "Don't blame me I voted for Kodos." Oh and yes, I spend way to much time watching Simpsons reruns

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

No kidding, especially Madison.. Check out the rants going on in the 'Isthmus' message board!

http://www.thedailypage.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=40

Scanning through Madison area blogs (livejournal, etc) many are seriously considering moving to Canada because of the election result! LOL.

GOOD. Get them out of here.

[DeWynter]

I'm Canadain and I say keep your own seperatists!