I have mixed feelings on being a witness to the historical events of this election. I think it's great that there is an African American as President. It must be inspirational to African Americans, especially those who now feel it is possible to seize opportunities and progress. While I know it is important and it is historic, it would be fine with me whatever the race/gender of President, as long as they are honest and hardworking and do a good job of running the country (which, in my opinion, may not happen--at least not in a way that I agree with). So as far as race (African American), I say good but in the end, it doesn't matter to me what race they are.
I am concerned about the direction that our country may be headed with Obama. If you take out the competition (socialism) you take out (in general, although there may be exceptions) drive and work ethic. Do people in countries with socialized medicine go shopping around for a specialist in their country? I'm not sure I'd trust a doctor that got paid the same as the next, no matter what kind of treatment he gave. These are simplified thoughts on the matter, I know.
I am breathing a sigh of relief that Prop. 8 passed! Hooray! I am grateful I could let my voice be heard here in CA. It's great we have the opportunity to vote. I am bummed that Prop. 4 didn't pass, which would require minors to give 48 hour notice to parents before having an abortion. It just seems so wrong. Probably because it is.
If anyone has a good explanation as to how the electoral vote got started and why we have it, I'd love to hear.
Random thoughts, but I'm signing out now, if you are still reading this.
14 comments:
I just read Gerald Lund "Freedom Factor" and in it he describes the difference between a republic and an actual democracy (which we aren't) I found it fascinating since I am really retarted when it comes to politics! Anyhow, it talks alot about the reason for an electorat vote which I already can't remember well enough to answer your ? ! Sorry:)
I agree, I am thrilled that the gay marriage ban passed in all the states that had it up for a vote! Yay!!!!! There were so many scary things that could happen with our churches if that had passed!
The word "democracy" is never mentioned in the Constitution. The founders set up the electoral college, frankly, because they did not totally trust the American people. And to make sure that states with heavier populations (like our own) would have a more powerful vote than those with less concentrated numbers of people.
I don't think Obama will ever be able to pass his health care plan. Fortunately, the democrats do not have a commanding lead in the Senate. And his plan is significantly less socialistic than Hillary's...(he only wants mandated coverage for minors under 18.) Hopefully, that is encouraging. But I hear you. I'm not thrilled about the idea of crappy health care for everyone.
And yeah. Way to go Prop 8. I knew the ACLU would soon file a lawsuit, regardless of the outcome, but I thought they might wait more than 24 hours. Here we go again.
I heard a quote recently that went something like this (this isn't the actual quote): when the vote is given equally to hard-working people and slackers, and the slackers understand that they can vote themselves MONEY, then a true democracy is no longer in existence.
Okay, I really should look up the quote, but it was to that effect. People now understand that by voting for Obama, they vote for government assistance in many forms--so why work? You guys know how the system can be. IT's only going to get worse from here.
And with the house and senate both controlled by the Democrats...we are in BIG trouble.
BTW, I have spent a lot of time over the past two days standing up to some of Jeff's cousins who would have voted AGAINST Prop 8. Uh, really? Yikes. Yikes. Yikes.
Hold up, I must have missed that the Dems aren't controlling the Senate. If that is the case, then whew! We have a little bit of balance.
Yeah, did it change with the election? Going into the election the dems had the majority.
According to cnn, the senate is dem. majority. I thought so.
Oh, and I found this on about.com on the electoral college. This is one of the better explanations I've heard.
"To be brutally honest, the Founding Fathers did not give the American public of their day much credit for political awareness. Here are a few relevant quotes from the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
"A popular election in this case is radically vicious. The ignorance of the people would put it in the power of some one set of men dispersed through the Union, and acting in concert, to delude them into any appointment." -- Delegate Gerry, July 25, 1787
"The extent of the country renders it impossible, that the people can have the requisite capacity to judge of the respective pretensions of the candidates." -- Delegate Mason, July 17, 1787
"The people are uninformed, and would be misled by a few designing men." -- Delegate Gerry, July 19, 1787.
The Founding Fathers had seen the dangers of placing ultimate power into a single set of human hands. Accordingly, they feared that placing unlimited power to elect the president into the politically naive hands of the people could lead to a "tyranny of the majority." In response, they created the Electoral College system as a process to insulate the selection of the president from the whims of the public."
So, like I suggested on my blog, there should be a short and basic test before voting. If you pass the test, your vote counts. If not, your vote doesn't. The opportunity for political awareness is so much greater now because of the internet and technology. We have more knowledge and information about the candidates. I think it's kind of an outdated system, but I guess it's the best we can do right now. (But is it?)
I am under the understanding the electoral vote was started because of communication difficulties. In other words because of the lack of technology in those days, the electoral vote came as a way for people living in places where it was difficult to let their vote be cast they had a representative vote for them. I don't know I could be wrong.
And yes thank goodness all the marriage props passed. Also your thoughts on Obama are my thoughts exactly!
Whatever your thoughts on Obama, you can thank him for the passage of Prop 8. He turned out the African-American and Hispanic voters, who are pro-traditional marriage.
God works in mysterious ways???
Alisa - that is so true! Amazing the way He works things out!
I don't think we'll have socialized medicine like Canada. I don't think people here would stand for it.
I thought the Dems were in control of both House and Senate, and they are. Scary.
My understanding of the electoral college is the same as Celia's. Basically, the founders didn't think everyone was smart enough to vote for the right person, so they gave states electoral votes based on their population. So a higher population means high electoral votes. It is so weird that the electoral votes trump the popular votes. But it is how Bush one. Gore won the popular vote, and Bush beat him by the electoral.
I agree with you about Obama. It is historic in many ways, and I respect what that means for some people, but it doesn't matter to me if he's not going to do things the right way. Ren & I are really nervous about where things are headed. I am just trying to remember that Heavenly Father is in charge, not all of us.
I am so happy about 8 and 102, but dealing with the aftermath is going to be interesting. I have dealt with so much opposition from my aunt and also from friends from Flag who are gay and are lashing out about this. It's incredible to see how people who are demanding tolerance can react with so much INtolerance when the democratic process rejects their agenda.
So um...totally just vented all over your blog. LOL!!!
Well...I'm not going to comment on the electoral college or anything political. Ali, just want to say that I'm ready for a new post on your blog!! Grandmas NEED those cute pictures at least weekly, you know! Love it!
P.S. to quote L. Tom Perry, "The best is yet to come!" Have hope, along with that faith and charity!
Well hopefully Obama can socialize medicine so that everyone in this country can finally have access to affordable healthcare.
Don't get me wrong. It's nice if you have a PPO and can shop around for care, but in reality most people have HMO's as theyr'e cheaper for companies and employees ... hence most people shop for a doctor within their network, its not like people have any choice of doctor in most cases they will choose a doctor who is close and is covered by their insurance company. Its hard enough to get time off work to see a doctor in America, let alone choose one!
Having experienced both systems, I would say you can get a bad or a good doctor in either system.
In any event most likely if the US decides at some point that the health of its men, women and children is a basic human right, most likely the HMO system will become covered by the government for the poor and average joe..
..and the PPO system will be an added luxury for those who are well off and can afford it. So I wouldn't worry about that choice being taken away, it just will not happen.
However it would be nice if the most "developed" country in the world actually cared about its families.
The scary thing about the USA is that only criminals are considered worthy enough to be entitled to healthcare.
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