Interesting Concept- Vote Swapping

[vicki]

http://www.votepair.org

Very basics of it is that if you live in a Republican or Democratic state and you don't want to vote for that party, you can swap votes with someone in a swing state and make your vote count more.

[Jesda]

Leftists are desperate this year.

[VashFC]

Leftists are desperate this year.

Aren't they always?

[Cyberkreig]

Wait, isnt this just a new spin on gerrymandering? And isnt it totaly illegal not to mention immoral?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Jerrymandering is exactly the word that came to my mind when I saw that. It kind of screws things up more than it helps.

Ruling philosophy here: "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is."

[Cyberkreig]

Ruling philosophy here: "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is."

Go Dems!!!

Waste your votes on 3rd party candidates instead of uniting under one flag. That way you wont stand any sort of chance.

[base9se]

Jerrymandering is exactly the word that came to my mind when I saw that. It kind of screws things up more than it helps.

Ruling philosophy here: "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is."

Ditto. Why change something that works?

[vicki]

That's the whole point. The system doesn't work. The entire state isn't being represented.

[Jesda]

A popular new idea is to make the number of electoral votes proportional to the percentage of popular votes in a state. I love how people are being suckered into the idea (new poll, this week's issue of The Economist).

When you play the numbers that way, Bush would get an extra 75 electoral votes.

[Cyberkreig]

You know why the idea is popular? There is no reason to NOT change our system to a Popular Vote system.. or a system based directly on the popular vote as descrbied by jesda.. Unless your candidate (dem) couldnt possibly win a popular vote.

[gabossie]

who cares who wins, at least if it was a popular vote system, the most popular candidate would win. I swear, all the republicans on this site are thick skulled arogant bishez (as are a few of the libs). I personally don't want Bush to win, but if he won a popular vote, I would have no problem accepting that my values do not aggree with the MAJORITY of the country.

[vicki]

I agree with Greg.

I personally don't care too much about who wins this election because I feel that neither should be given the role of leading this country. While I agree more with Kerry's views, I don't trust him to carry them out or stick with it. However, at the same time I want Bush out of power.

I am 90% certain that a good percentage on the people on this board don't even know how the electoral colleges work.

[ceniack]

i know that really, when you get down to the technicality of it all, who we vote for for president doesn't actually count, everyone in a state could vote democrate, and if the electorate felt fecicous, they could still give all the electorate votes to a republican, (although it would be political suicide for them to do so)

[vicki]

i know that really, when you get down to the technicality of it all, who we vote for for president doesn't actually count, everyone in a state could vote democrate, and if the electorate felt fecicous, they could still give all the electorate votes to a republican, (although it would be political suicide for them to do so)

And the majority of you don't seem to find this system flawed?!

[Jesda]

The system works well, except in OH and PA, where there are more registered voters than there are old enough US citizens. Then there's the missing military ballots in 2000, groups like ACORN burning and shredding registration forms, right wing operatives doing the same in Nevada...

If you look at it on a flow chart, the system itself is fine. Its implementation however is flawed [because] rules are poorly enforced.
Modified by Jesda at 10:12 PM 10/29/2004

[Cyberkreig]

And the majority of you don't seem to find this system flawed?!

Obviously the system is flawed.. but that doesnt mean that using a loophole in antiquted geremandering law to create a virtual re-districting.

What you all should be doing is writing to your representative. Suggest any system you like in your letter.. but work within the system. Hate it or not. I for one will be asking for a popular vote system.

[Jesda]

I swear, all the republicans on this site are thick skulled arogant bishez (as are a few of the libs).

Thanks for the civility, a-hole!

[gabossie]

You only recieve what you give out.

[Jesda]

What I "give out"? I never called you or anyone else a thick-skulled arrogant b1tch.

I swear, as election day nears, people start acting like toddlers with soiled diapers.

[SmithSR]

^^reasons A and B why all the politics threads are getting the chop

[Nathan]

Is this one too? Methinks so!

[Cold_Zero]

who cares who wins, at least if it was a popular vote system, the most popular candidate would win.

I thought about supporting a popular vote system. Only problem is smaller states would never see political candidates during a campaign. I would think it would also de-emphasize rural and less populated states/regions in return disenfranchising voters. The Electoral College at least keeps the candidates from camping out in NYC, LA, Chicago, Las Vegas.... It is in a sense a form of a popular vote. The more populated states get more electoral votes. What is interesting is what they do in Maine and Colorado. These states can split up their electoral votes to send some votes to the loser, thus they are not an "All or Nothing State."

Quote »I swear, all the republicans on this site are thick skulled arogant bishez (as are a few of the libs). I personally don't want Bush to win, but if he won a popular vote, I would have no problem accepting that my values do not aggree with the MAJORITY of the country.[/quote]I am not thick skulled because I am a Republican. Its just because I am of German descent.

And Vote Swapping is not a new concept. This idea has been tossed around online during the 2000 and 1996 elections. In my eyes it is wrong. If you dont think your vote counts, move to a different precinct, district, county or state. I live in a district that keeps voting this old woman (Julia Carson) into office. Every time she opens her mouth, she is all over the news and I dont have anything in common that I agree on with her. Still, I vote for in my district because my vote does count.

[The Mic]

im not making another thread, So I am going to hijack. I have stated in another topic that I do not like talking about politics for use of small talk, because it's anything but small. I am sick of the mud slinging and branding of people. You guys know you are on this forum, whom do nothing but divide it . This.. branding of someone who isn't like you, isn't civil. It has become me vs you, red vs blue etc... I have known individuals who are from both ends, but I don't judge them based on their political affliations, but by their character. And when they start with their labeling, that says something about themselves. It has become an "uncivil" war here in the states, in this forum , in fact! we can no longer respect those who are opposed of our opinion. We can only be friends with those who are like us, and unite against the rest. when Richard Belzer was praised by Bill Maher's audience tonight for slandering Ann Coulter when after she appeared via satellite, I was really dissapointed. I just hope the losing half of the country will gradually just accept the victor civily and learn to co-exist with the winning side and just move on with bitching about it.

[Jesda]

I think its neat how Maher and Coulter are friends. They need each other and play into each other's emotionally-driven audiences. Its like an awesome media conspiracy that spans the entire political spectrum.