On 2004-08-30T17:40:25-0700, Steve Schear wrote:
At 05:23 AM 8/30/2004, Justin wrote:
Are States "geopolitical distortions" as well? Are countries?
If you're going to propose an alternate system, please clearly identify 1) the voting pool, and 2) what they're voting for. If the pool is voting for a party instead of individuals, how does a winning party pick representatives? Is that selection method fair?
While this is certainly a value judgement, almost every other nation thinks so.
Even if we used it here, the fate of legislation would still be determined by the dominant party in the Senate, which would still rarely if ever admit 3rd parties, and by the president's veto. I assume you're criticizing only House election procedures because that's the only thing that can be attacked without completely restructuring the federal legislature. If it were possible, would you prefer to see nation-wide proportional representation if it included mandatory geographical distribution requirements like those you described? -- "When in our age we hear these words: It will be judged by the result--then we know at once with whom we have the honor of speaking. Those who talk this way are a numerous type whom I shall designate under the common name of assistant professors." -- Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling (Wong tr.), III, 112