Saturday, November 10, 2012

making it count

I thought the election was over.  But the discussion continues on the Melaque discussion board.

The chat is no longer about candidates.  My neighbor, Bill, made an interesting point about American presidential elections.

"I have never voted for a US presidential candidate in my life and I have never known any person that has ever voted for a US presidential candidate, either. Common people are not allowed to vote for the US president."

His point, of course, is that voters do not vote directly for presidential candidates.  They vote for a slate of electors.  And the electors then vote for president and vice-president.

But Bill was wrong.  He does know someone who has actually voted for a presidential candidate.  I did.  In 1984.

I re-discovered proof of that day amongst some papers in the desk from my old law office.  It has all of the style of a third grade spelling bee certificate.  Signed by the principal.

But it is cool enough to take to Mexico.  Where the humidity and heat will undoubtedly reduce it to its constituent pulp.

And if I need to finish that analogy, you have been ignoring my libertarian riffs.


6 comments:

Norm Kwallek said...

The idea that a person can take the highest office with less votes than another in the same race is not a good way to run things. And our system of drawing up the Congressional House seats has something "not quite right" about it-how can we change these flaws in our 50/50 electorate? Might as well, plan on ice skating in hell first...

NWannabe said...

I believe your neighbor said, "Common people."

Steve Cotton said...

 To the quick, sir.   To the quick.

Steve Cotton said...

And yet we keep on muddling through.  Perhaps, the problem lies in expecting our governments to do what we could do just as well in our own lives.  One thing Mexico is doing correctly.  Well -- almost.

Norm Kwallek said...

We need government. How much? Is a good debate but we need it.  The one vote being worth as much as the next is a good goal. I'll sharpen my skates Steve.

Steve Cotton said...

 And I will sharpen my appreciation of Mexico and its offerings.