h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thanks for such a wonderful historcal glimpse into Florida's past. I'm a sort of collector of facts not taught in school. What a pleasure!

Someone mentioned Cuba... It has come to my attention that Cuba has offered to send Observers to Florida to ensure a legitimate election. Is that a reminder for USA?

Actually, Castro said that himself. I live in Florida, my spouse is Cuban. We won't go back there! Of course, Florida could just secede from the union. Let it all go back to swampland. (I'm beginning to like this) And tear down Disney World!

I think DisneyWorld should be declared its own something-or-other -- sort of like Washington DC has autonomy within Maryland, or like the Vatican has autonomy even though it is technically inside the borders of Italy. It certainly seems to have its own unique rules and culture. On the down side, Florida citizens had better be ready to pay higher taxes if this ever happens. I wouldn't dare try to calculate the amount earned per citizen by Disneyworld's sales taxes.

I don't believe that this election mess will be resolved any time soon. Why? Because you have Politicians, hiring lawyers, to talk to old people and the lawyers are making $600 an hour. The lawyers will drag this thing out as long as the politicians have money.

A lawyer will defend you till your last penny.


Mostly

There will always be taxes. With or without Disney. With or without an end to this election. And yes, I pay them.

why ?

Re: Proportioning electoral votes: The electoral college system was a compromise between large and small states when the Constitution was being written. It was a divisive issue then, and it is a divisive issue now. The points:

Con: The current electoral college system is undemocratic. A candidate who receives only a simple majority in a large state receives that state's entire block of votes. It does not accurately reflect the will of the people, and, with this system, we have managed to elect presidents who were, technically, rejected by the popular vote, as they did not receive a majority.

Pro: The electoral college system guarantees that the small states have a voice in the presidential election. Were it to be replaced by a simple popular vote, the North Dakotas, Alaskas, and Rhode Islands of the country would have their voice drowned out by the Californias, New Yorks, and Pennsylvanias. With the system in place, they have the opportunity to affect the national election, and thus guarantees their participation in the democratic process.

So, one argument says it is an enemy to democracy, one argument says it is not. What to do? I suggest a compromise... large states award their propotionally, small states send theirs as a block. Who decides where the cutoff is? The states. Allow each state to hold an election on whether they want to divide their electoral ballots or vote them as a block. And if Texas chooses to keep theirs as a block? Well, it's the will of the people. Besides, Texas isn't very nice anyway, so it won't be ruined when the rest of us invade.

Speaking as a resident of one of the "small" (although Montana is fourth largest in size...) states, I support the electoral college system. Under a purely democratic system we would not be represented in Congress, nor would we have any pull with political candidates. It does insure that our voice is heard in national elections.

However, I have to think that if we elected the President by the rule of the simple majority, a decision would have been reached two weeks ago...and Dick Cheney would not have had a heart attack this morning upon hearing that the Florida Supreme Court unanimously ruled the hand recounts could continue.

Did he really? Top Bannana. Who is Dick Cheney?

George W. Bush's pick for Vice President. He's had a history of heart problems, and had quadruple bypass surgery about 12 years ago.

Oh. Yeah.

*wonders if she now qualifies to run as the next president*

No, but really. Did he have a heart attack?

To clarify, the news reports I read did not say Cheney had a heart attack. They said he had "chest pains." He has apparently gone to the hospital several times over the past few years with the same symptoms, and it always turns out to be nothing. The doctors have encouraged him to come in anyway, since he has a history of heart attacks.

Splendid. Is there any element of drama this election has missed?

A Damsel in Distress?

Damsel in Distress? I would like to nominate Florida Sec. of State, Katherine Harris. (and if she doesn't win I want a recount till she does!!!!!!)

Mostly

What about Theresa LePore - the woman who designed the (now abominated) 'butterfly' ballot papers. She's probably been in a certain amount of distress over the last couple of weeks.

I sympathise with the woman, by the way. She obviously acted in good faith, and her idea was approved by representatives of both the main parties. But people tend to forget that now...

I think it would be better if there was apoint at which a president had the support of at least 50%+1 of the voters. We've seen what kind of problems it causes when we have a President who only wins 42% of the poular vote. I think it tends to divide the nation.

The small states would still have their equal say in the Senate (who I think should go back to being apointed by the state legislatures).

In the Summer of '98, I bet a friend that Hilary Clinton would be the first female President of the US. My friend scoffed at the suggestion, but happily accepted the bet thinking I didn't stand a chance of winning. Needless to say I was delighted when she was elected to the Senate and now with the extended and increasingly contentious bickering between Gore and Bush, the American people may well be more receptive to the idea of eventually electing a woman...........

What makes you think Hillary is a woman?

Senate appointed by state legislatures: I can think of measures that would destroy democracy better, but not many. If the Senators are not elected by the people, they are not responsible to the people. If they are selected by the state legislature, then they are responsible only to the state legislature, and the "you wash my back" mentality in public service would only get worse. Let's not take power out of the hands of the people only on the basis that they've shown themselves completely incompetent at wielding it. Incompetence is still preferable to the alternative... after all, Clinton worked out. Maybe we should have elected Dan Quayle after all...