When did who you vote for become more public?

[horshack.sixpack]

I live in The Fondren, there’s a LOT of Harris/Walz signs. A lot of them hand made on State St. I wouldn’t put a sign in my in in for ANYBODY, mostly because my wife won’t let me, partially because we’re trying to sell the house (only to move a half mile away) and basically because I like my neighbors (for the most part). I’ve thought of the addendums I could have added to the Harris signs, but I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t want anyone screwing with my stuff,so I don’t want to screw with anyone else’s stuff. Perhaps I’m more of a Libertarian **

If more of us would choose to believe our lived out reality rather than listen to a political party tell me how my life is going, we'd be much better off. Had lunch with an all in MAGA friend yesterday who just "couldn't stand what the last 4 years has done to our country" and railed on immigration, and every single possible conspiracy theory that you can find out there. He actually told me that I had given him something to think about when I pointed out that mine, and his, financial situations and careers were way better off than 4 years ago, the stock market was soaring, and we agreed that neither of us has personally had anything but good experiences with immigrants, and that if Trump is actually able to implement his deportation rhetoric that he will kill a lot of our farming and construction economy.

I think that a lot of folks are suffering from the cognitive dissonance that comes naturally with slowly recognizing that the BS you've been fed politically from birth is actually just BS. I know that it was a big step for me to fight my way out of the echo chamber.

allsides.com helps a lot if you are the least bit interested in having enough properly characterized information to attempt to understand where the truth might lie.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Don’t lie. You wouldn’t have said anything if someone else had posted it.

I go to DC to visit with people in Congress at least once a year and meet with them here when they visit all the time. One of my friends is a chief of staff for someone in Congress. I do my part in telling them about what interests me and what my concerns are.
Do you do that? I bet you don’t

Oh and 17 you.

Nah. Was going to respond to @patdog but you had posted first.

Doesn't matter what you do or don't do, or what I do or don't do. I'm just talking about your need to say that neither presidential candidate is good enough for you.

 

[mstateglfr]

dawgman42 said:
I also remember when people didn't use politics as a be all/end all for every aspect of their lives and those with whom they associate.

Dawgs win! 1-0.

Thanks a lot Obama.

https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/obama-race-relations-poll/index.html

@Pain - Obama didnt turn the county into a place where politics is a be all/end all for every aspect of many people's lives and those they will/wont associate with.
Each person has a choice as to whether they will treat others differently based on political views. Anyone who allows political views to guide who they will or wont associate with has chosen to do so. Obama didnt make them do that- they chose to do that.

Also, even if race relations worsened under Obama, that doesnt mean Obama is responsible for people using politics as a be all/end all for every aspect of their lives. Those things can be connected, but they arent necessarily connected. <---thats a big difference.


This thread is full of people saying social media has made it worse, cable news has made it worse, the 24hr news cycle has made it worse...and you pop in with Obama as the reason. Good lord.


Hey- who said the quote below? Talk above divisiveness- you have to either be on board with whatever America does or you support terrorism.
This was said before Obama. Politics was a be all/end all for many people well before Obama. People would/wouldnt associate with others based on political views well before Obama.
"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

 

[Pilgrimdawg]

I've never purchased anything Ole Miss related and I'm 42. So only half of that sentence is true.

So it’s not just me. I don’t do business with Rebels. Never have, never will. I am 70.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Through my 60 years there was always complaints about the lack of engagement of the voting public. There has been a concerted effort over the past 20 years to try and get interest up. So once you start that, people, as with sports fandom, become part of a tribe and will try to expand that tribe. So social media is definitely part of it, but this push to vote also adds to letting others know who your tribe is.

I don't personally think there is a correct answer of keeping it private or letting everyone know. I do think that either way it should not be a factor of dealing with people. I have friends and family on both sides of the progressive/conservative aisle. I am curious as to why people who think differently do think like that and do like to engage them about issues. To do that you have to be able to get along. (even though you know they are wrong)

The graph is interesting in that percentages seem to go up around times of war and turmoil. We seem to be on an upward trend which is disturbing.

 

[Pilgrimdawg]

"Me and my truck are for Tuck" is my all time favorite bumper sticker.

How the "Me & My Truck are for Tuck" sticker came about

Waller with Waller from back in the 60’s.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

Gary, you can’t keep your crabgrass under control do you think we should listen to you on how to curb inflation?

This is it. I’m a pretty smart, educated guy. And I’m wrong all the 17ing time. And the people I work with are wrong all the 17ing time about benign, objective issues. Inject emotion into an issue, and I’m suddenly expected to think people are insightful and rational?

 

[thatsbaseball]

This is it. I’m a pretty smart, educated guy. And I’m wrong all the 17ing time. And the people I work with are wrong all the 17ing time about benign, objective issues. Inject emotion into an issue, and I’m suddenly expected to think people are insightful and rational?

"smart & educated" have never equated to being wise. Due to the number of people carrying meaningless diplomas around in their pockets these days I think our society struggles with that fact more than ever.

 

[mstateglfr]

Through my 60 years there was always complaints about the lack of engagement of the voting public. There has been a concerted effort over the past 20 years to try and get interest up. So once you start that, people, as with sports fandom, become part of a tribe and will try to expand that tribe. So social media is definitely part of it, but this push to vote also adds to letting others know who your tribe is.

Interesting theory- increased participation leads to increased tribalism and public support.



On a related note- the way to really increase voter turnout for presidential elections is to ensure that everyone's vote counts equally. Its disingenuous to claim everyone's vote counts when in reality, a significant portion of votes dont count at all.
Voter disenfranchisement is basically baked into our election laws right now.

For president- a vote in CA should count the same as a vote in MS which should count the same as a vote in WI which should count the same as a vote in VA. And on and on and on.
The biggest response I hear when someone says they arent voting is some version of 'my vote doesnt matter' or 'my vote wont count'. This is an issue in Red and Blue states alike.
Make every vote count.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Interesting theory- increased participation leads to increased tribalism and public support.



On a related note- the way to really increase voter turnout for presidential elections is to ensure that everyone's vote counts equally. Its disingenuous to claim everyone's vote counts when in reality, a significant portion of votes dont count at all.
Voter disenfranchisement is basically baked into our election laws right now.

For president- a vote in CA should count the same as a vote in MS which should count the same as a vote in WI which should count the same as a vote in VA. And on and on and on.
The biggest response I hear when someone says they arent voting is some version of 'my vote doesnt matter' or 'my vote wont count'. This is an issue in Red and Blue states alike.
Make every vote count.

So your saying do away with the Electoral College ?

 

[dorndawg]

So your saying do away with the Electoral College ?

Yes, immediately. It's un-American.

 

[POTUS]

Yes, immediately. It's un-American.

This is a stupid take. It is literally the most American thing there is. We aren't the United People of America. We are the United STATES of America. It's right there in the name. Can't miss it. We're a republic not a democracy and it's what keeps mobs from ruling. If you want to abolish the electoral college, you're the reason we have it.

 

[dawgphd]

As political tribalism grew. The biggest growth spurt of that phenomenon has been last decade or so.

 

[paindonthurt17]

If more of us would choose to believe our lived out reality rather than listen to a political party tell me how my life is going, we'd be much better off. Had lunch with an all in MAGA friend yesterday who just "couldn't stand what the last 4 years has done to our country" and railed on immigration, and every single possible conspiracy theory that you can find out there. He actually told me that I had given him something to think about when I pointed out that mine, and his, financial situations and careers were way better off than 4 years ago, the stock market was soaring, and we agreed that neither of us has personally had anything but good experiences with immigrants, and that if Trump is actually able to implement his deportation rhetoric that he will kill a lot of our farming and construction economy.

I think that a lot of folks are suffering from the cognitive dissonance that comes naturally with slowly recognizing that the BS you've been fed politically from birth is actually just BS. I know that it was a big step for me to fight my way out of the echo chamber.

allsides.com helps a lot if you are the least bit interested in having enough properly characterized information to attempt to understand where the truth might lie.

Now do abortion and how poor women are dying everywhere b/c of conservatives.
Or do the one where trump is really a nazi dictator who is going to put everyone in jail!

 

[paindonthurt17]

@Pain - Obama didnt turn the county into a place where politics is a be all/end all for every aspect of many people's lives and those they will/wont associate with.
Each person has a choice as to whether they will treat others differently based on political views. Anyone who allows political views to guide who they will or wont associate with has chosen to do so. Obama didnt make them do that- they chose to do that.

Also, even if race relations worsened under Obama, that doesnt mean Obama is responsible for people using politics as a be all/end all for every aspect of their lives. Those things can be connected, but they arent necessarily connected. <---thats a big difference.


This thread is full of people saying social media has made it worse, cable news has made it worse, the 24hr news cycle has made it worse...and you pop in with Obama as the reason. Good lord.


Hey- who said the quote below? Talk above divisiveness- you have to either be on board with whatever America does or you support terrorism.
This was said before Obama. Politics was a be all/end all for many people well before Obama. People would/wouldnt associate with others based on political views well before Obama.
"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

I didn't form that opinion on my own. I can give you a pretty well know black economist who identifies as a democrat who agrees.

Obama used race to get elected. It 100% got worse under obama according to multiple polls (including CNN polls).

 

[thatsbaseball]

Interesting theory- increased participation leads to increased tribalism and public support.



On a related note- the way to really increase voter turnout for presidential elections is to ensure that everyone's vote counts equally. Its disingenuous to claim everyone's vote counts when in reality, a significant portion of votes dont count at all.
Voter disenfranchisement is basically baked into our election laws right now.

For president- a vote in CA should count the same as a vote in MS which should count the same as a vote in WI which should count the same as a vote in VA. And on and on and on.
The biggest response I hear when someone says they arent voting is some version of 'my vote doesnt matter' or 'my vote wont count'. This is an issue in Red and Blue states alike.
Make every vote count.

So did your vote count in selecting a Dem nominee for president in this election ?

 

[NukeDogg]

A family member ran for local office and lost. We have hundreds of signs. They are fantastic for the shooting range at the camp. I’d argue it’s the best use for them.

I've been using them for years as just that. The day after election day I can pick up 50 of them within 10 minutes and within a mile of my house by just plucking them off street corners/public parking lots. Nobody ever questions me because I take them all, I don't pick and choose, so they assume I'm doing post-election cleanup. I don't touch them on private land/people's yards though.

 

[paindonthurt17]

This is a stupid take. It is literally the most American thing there is. We aren't the United People of America. We are the United STATES of America. It's right there in the name. Can't miss it. We're a republic not a democracy and it's what keeps mobs from ruling. If you want to abolish the electoral college, you're the reason we have it.

They prove over and over how stupid they are. Democratic republic.

Mob rule is dumb.

 

[paindonthurt17]

So did your vote count in selecting a Dem nominee for president in this election ?

Zinger!

 

[ZombieKissinger]

"smart & educated" have never equated to being wise. Due to the number of people carrying meaningless diplomas around in their pockets these days I think our society struggles with that fact more than ever.

That’s true as well, though even outside of the “good judgment” component, people are just wrong about stuff a lot

 

[Darryl Steight]

that if Trump is actually able to implement his deportation rhetoric that he will kill a lot of our farming and construction economy.

 

[dorndawg]

This is a stupid take. It is literally the most American thing there is. We aren't the United People of America. We are the United STATES of America. It's right there in the name. Can't miss it. We're a republic not a democracy and it's what keeps mobs from ruling. If you want to abolish the electoral college, you're the reason we have it.

Sorry, I guess being able to understand math is my downfall. A vote in Wyoming or Delaware should not count for substantially more than a vote in California or Texas in the end result, but here we are.

There's no virtue in minority mob rule, either.

 

[bolddogge]

If more of us would choose to believe our lived out reality rather than listen to a political party tell me how my life is going, we'd be much better off. Had lunch with an all in MAGA friend yesterday who just "couldn't stand what the last 4 years has done to our country" and railed on immigration, and every single possible conspiracy theory that you can find out there. He actually told me that I had given him something to think about when I pointed out that mine, and his, financial situations and careers were way better off than 4 years ago, the stock market was soaring, and we agreed that neither of us has personally had anything but good experiences with immigrants, and that if Trump is actually able to implement his deportation rhetoric that he will kill a lot of our farming and construction economy.

I think that a lot of folks are suffering from the cognitive dissonance that comes naturally with slowly recognizing that the BS you've been fed politically from birth is actually just BS. I know that it was a big step for me to fight my way out of the echo chamber.

allsides.com helps a lot if you are the least bit interested in having enough properly characterized information to attempt to understand where the truth might lie.

The stock market is soaring. But taking inflation into account, is it worth more than it would have been with slow steady growth and no inflation?
Even if I had only good experiences with immigrants, several have been killed by them. Also, the millions of people that have been let into the country need a place to live so housing prices skyrocket. This impacts anyone wanting to buy a home. At least interest rates are low... oh wait.

 

[POTUS]

Sorry, I guess being able to understand math is my downfall. A vote in Wyoming or Delaware should not count for substantially more than a vote in California or Texas in the end result, but here we are.

There's no virtue in minority mob rule, either.

I blame your civics teacher.

 

[dorndawg]

I blame your civics teacher.

I had a great one. It seems you would have benefited, perhaps? Have a blessed day.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Sorry, I guess being able to understand math is my downfall. A vote in Wyoming or Delaware should not count for substantially more than a vote in California or Texas in the end result, but here we are.

There's no virtue in minority mob rule, either.

You apparently understand "math" better than you do "Republic" .

 

[HailStout]

Copout. If the country could provide better, it would. Signs like this scream, "hey look at me I'm cooler and smarter than the rest of you peasants who like these candidates", which in itself is the same pathetic-ness, because you want your opinion on that particular topic, to be known so badly.

LoOk At Me I'm MuH nEuTrAl

Just own whatever you choose to do. OR....better yet, just stay quiet.

No opinion on my megaton sign?

 

[johnson86-1]

I think that a lot of folks are suffering from the cognitive dissonance that comes naturally with slowly recognizing that the BS you've been fed politically from birth is actually just BS. I know that it was a big step for me to fight my way out of the echo chamber.

allsides.com helps a lot if you are the least bit interested in having enough properly characterized information to attempt to understand where the truth might lie.

That is an interesting statement from somebody that has claimed:

- Trump likes hitler https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-“you’re-being-watched”-voting-commercials.1590985/post-31801833
- His "base" wouldn't vote for trump if he selected a black VP https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...ck-today-who-will-it-be.1460845/post-28924014
- Trump probably staged the assassination attempt https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894228
- Trump is close to the third reich https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894349
- The immigration deal was not supported by republicans because it was a good deal and would help Biden, as opposed to not supporting it because it set a floor for illegal immigration higher than existed in previous presidencies and still didn't give a mechanism that would require immigration law be enforced; https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-be-vigilant-homeowners.1307795/post-24962718 & https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...t-rid-of-building-codes.1323009/post-25344637
- Thinks Project 2025 is the boogey man https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/its-trump-dont-ask-how-i-know.1193568/post-22172499

ETA: I don't have a problem with anybody liking or disliking Trump. But thinking that he is somehow a unique threat to the republic compared to whoever is running the executive branch now or somebody like Hillary or Kamala is just not tied to reality. The much bigger threat is all the people who have been broken by having somebody crass and unprincipled and more or less non-ideological (except for on tariffs and maybe the border) in the whitehouse and think now is the time to tear down what's left of every institution we have and shred any sliver of credibility they used to enjoy.

 

[L4Dawg]

So it’s not just me. I don’t do business with Rebels. Never have, never will. I am 70.

Business is business and sports is sports. They don't intersect with me.

 

[POTUS]

- Trump likes hitler https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-“you’re-being-watched”-voting-commercials.1590985/post-31801833
- His "base" wouldn'tn vote for trump is he selected a black VP https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...ck-today-who-will-it-be.1460845/post-28924014
- Trump probably staged the assassination attempt https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894228
- Trump is close to the third reich https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894349
Believed the immigration deal was not supported by republicans because it was a good deal and would help Biden, as opposed to it setting a floor for illegal immigration higher than existed in previous presidencies; https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-be-vigilant-homeowners.1307795/post-24962718 & https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...t-rid-of-building-codes.1323009/post-25344637
- Thinks Project 2025 is the boogey man https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/its-trump-dont-ask-how-i-know.1193568/post-22172499

 

[Darryl Steight]

Sorry, I guess being able to understand math is my downfall. A vote in Wyoming or Delaware should not count for substantially more than a vote in California or Texas in the end result, but here we are.

There's no virtue in minority mob rule, either.

It certainly doesn't give "minority mob" the rule. The way I understand it, the founders set up the electoral college to protect the integrity of the republic, it's citizens, and the vote. It's a pretty ingenious way to protect against the tyranny of the majority by giving each individual a voice and a vote in every federal election. It also makes voter fraud a lot harder (which seems increasingly important these days.)

I guess theoretically if there was ever a time in history where one party were more concerned about winning and gaining/maintaining control than ensuring an actual free and fair election - it would make sense for that side to be negative on and try to kill the EC.

It reminds me of the 2nd amendment. One of the main reasons to list it as one of every individual citizen's God-given rights was to protect against government tyranny. Similar to the EC, the founders again planned ahead for that theoretical future day when one party wanted to strip everyone of guns so that the government would be the only ones left armed. I for one am glad they included both of these methods of checks and balances, among others.

 

[dorndawg]

It certainly doesn't give "minority mob" the rule. The way I understand it, the founders set up the electoral college to protect the integrity of the republic, it's citizens, and the vote. It's a pretty ingenious way to protect against the tyranny of the majority by giving each individual a voice and a vote in every federal election. It also makes voter fraud a lot harder (which seems increasingly important these days.)

I guess theoretically if there was ever a time in history where one party were more concerned about winning and gaining/maintaining control than ensuring an actual free and fair election - it would make sense for that side to be negative on and try to kill the EC.

It reminds me of the 2nd amendment. One of the main reasons to list it as one of every individual citizen's God-given rights was to protect against government tyranny. Similar to the EC, the founders again planned ahead for that theoretical future day when one party wanted to strip everyone of guns so that the government would be the only ones left armed. I for one am glad they included both of these methods of checks and balances, among others.

THE EC was and is designed to give voters in small population states an outsized say-so in Presidential elections. Some people actively support this notion; I don't.

For the record, bellyaching about the EC is almost completely academic; I believe there are 13 or 14 states with 3 or 4 electoral votes, and it would only take 13 to block a constitutional amendment changing or abolishing the EC. Even as I disagree with the concept, under the current rules those small states would be fools to go change the status quo.

 

[Raiderdawg]

This is a stupid take. It is literally the most American thing there is. We aren't the United People of America. We are the United STATES of America. It's right there in the name. Can't miss it. We're a republic not a democracy and it's what keeps mobs from ruling. If you want to abolish the electoral college, you're the reason we have it.

I have an employee that moved to Puerto Rico to take care of her aligning dad. She’s just as much American citizen as I am, but because of our system, she has no say in who the president is. That doesn’t seem completely fair.

Also, the Reapportionment Act of 1929 altered the electoral college from the original structure. I understand the rationale behind capping the house at 435, but by doing so, it has given an unequal balance to some groups of people over others. For example, Montana has 2 congressman for 1.133 million people and Delaware has 1 representing 1.033 million. So that’s results in an extra electoral vote for Montana over Delaware with essentially the same population. There are several other examples of unequal representation across states due to the reapportionment act.

Another side note, many founding fathers assumed the electoral college would rarely choose the president. You can see it in their letters. Many thought few after someone like Washington would get the support needed to get a majority of the electoral votes and the house would usually pick our president. It was really a compromise to get the constitution ratified more than they thought it was a great idea. Several founders, including James Madison, immediately fought against it and the founders started tinkering with our election process by the 4th election.

We don’t necessarily need to abolish the electoral college, but I think there are things we could change to make sure every citizen’s vote is equally represented.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I have an employee that moved to Puerto Rico to take care of her aligning dad. She’s just as much American citizen as I am, but because of our system, she has no say in who the president is. That doesn’t seem completely fair.

Also, the Reapportionment Act of 1929 altered the electoral college from the original structure. I understand the rationale behind capping the house at 435, but by doing so, it has given an unequal balance to some groups of people over others. For example, Montana has 2 congressman for 1.133 million people and Delaware has 1 representing 1.033 million. So that’s results in an extra electoral vote for Montana over Delaware with essentially the same population. There are several other examples of unequal representation across states due to the reapportionment act.

Another side note, many founding fathers assumed the electoral college would rarely choose the president. You can see it in their letters. Many thought few after someone like Washington would get the support needed to get a majority of the electoral votes and the house would usually pick our president. It was really a compromise to get the constitution ratified more than they thought it was a great idea. Several founders, including James Madison, immediately fought against it and the founders started tinkering with our election process by the 4th election.

We don’t necessarily need to abolish the electoral college, but I think there are things we could change to make sure every citizen’s vote is equally represented.

The House needs to have an increase of members. I would be fine with that and that would even out the EC somewhat.

 

[paindonthurt17]

Sorry, I guess being able to understand math is my downfall. A vote in Wyoming or Delaware should not count for substantially more than a vote in California or Texas in the end result, but here we are.

There's no virtue in minority mob rule, either.

Your math is fine. Your understanding of the US constitution is the problem.

Its why the constitution was setup for state rights. You can abort all the 8 month fetuses you want in california if thats what your state chooses, but you shouldn't get to tell us what to do in Mississippi.

 

[paindonthurt17]

I had a great one. It seems you would have benefited, perhaps? Have a blessed day.

You clearly didn't b/c they don't understand the constitution or how the US government works.

 

[paindonthurt17]

No opinion on my megaton sign?

I guarantee you he has one.

 

[paindonthurt17]

That is an interesting statement from somebody that has claimed:

- Trump likes hitler https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-“you’re-being-watched”-voting-commercials.1590985/post-31801833
- His "base" wouldn'tn vote for trump is he selected a black VP https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...ck-today-who-will-it-be.1460845/post-28924014
- Trump probably staged the assassination attempt https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894228
- Trump is close to the third reich https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/trump-just-pick-up-another-10-million-votes.1459749/post-28894349
- The immigration deal was not supported by republicans because it was a good deal and would help Biden, as opposed to not supporting it because it set a floor for illegal immigration higher than existed in previous presidencies and still didn't give a mechanism that would require immigration law be enforced; https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/ot-be-vigilant-homeowners.1307795/post-24962718 & https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/...t-rid-of-building-codes.1323009/post-25344637
- Thinks Project 2025 is the boogey man https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/its-trump-dont-ask-how-i-know.1193568/post-22172499

ETA: I don't have a problem with anybody liking or disliking Trump. But thinking that he is somehow a unique threat to the republic compared to whoever is running the executive branch now or somebody like Hillary or Kamala is just not tied to reality. The much bigger threat is all the people who have been broken by having somebody crass and unprincipled and more or less non-ideological (except for on tariffs and maybe the border) in the whitehouse and think now is the time to tear down what's left of every institution we have and shred any sliver of credibility they used to enjoy.

Thank you for taking the time to do this.

 

[Darryl Steight]

THE EC was and is designed to give voters in small population states an outsized say-so in Presidential elections. Some people actively support this notion; I don't.

For the record, bellyaching about the EC is almost completely academic; I believe there are 13 or 14 states with 3 or 4 electoral votes, and it would only take 13 to block a constitutional amendment changing or abolishing the EC. Even as I disagree with the concept, under the current rules those small states would be fools to go change the status quo.

I'm curious - do you disagree with how Congress is set up as well? I'm not trolling, I'm genuinely asking. It seems to me having equal number of Senators from every state in one house, then having a vastly different (population based) number of representatives in the other house is about as fair a way to set up the legislative branch as you can come up with. Would you change that if you could? Personally, I love the thought of California having less representation in the house, but I don't know how you have a more fair system than we do.

I think of the EC in similar terms: you have to have some method, and this is about as fair as the founders could think up. There would be many more problems caused by a strict majority vote. Maybe we need to tweak the EC numbers more often or something, but it seems pretty fair to me. I'm wondering if you (and others) don't like the general concept overall, or just when it comes to the EC and voting for president. This may be too broad a question for a Tuesday.

 

[paindonthurt17]

THE EC was and is designed to give voters in small population states an outsized say-so in Presidential elections. Some people actively support this notion; I don't.

For the record, bellyaching about the EC is almost completely academic; I believe there are 13 or 14 states with 3 or 4 electoral votes, and it would only take 13 to block a constitutional amendment changing or abolishing the EC. Even as I disagree with the concept, under the current rules those small states would be fools to go change the status quo.

Any state would be a fool to change it. Eventually it would have the opposite affect you wanted.