Does our Vote Actually Count

I think it is important for everyone to remember that we, the United States of America, operate under a political system known as a Democratic Republic. As a Republic, we do not directly elect our president. The electoral college elects the president. The delegates to the electoral college, for the most part are designated, not elected, by the individual states committees. Here is how the constitution addresses the designation of the delegates: Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution states:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

They generally follow the vote of the state, but are actually not bound to do so. Another interesting point about the electoral college is that the states for the most part designate a "winner take all" status for the electoral college votes. This means that if the majority of the voters in the state vote for a candidate, all the electoral votes go to that candidate. Maine and Nebraska allocate their electoral votes based on the winners of congressional districts in these states.

So, does our vote count, yes it certainly does because it determines how the electoral college will cast their votes. 

 

Would I like to see a change in the electoral system, ABSOLUTELY. I would like to see it revert to it's original intent -- that like NH, Nebraska and Maine, the electoral votes are cast according to how each individual congressional district votes, but since the states have control over the electoral delegates and how they will vote, returning to original intent is a leap which will probably never happen.

The latest Rushbo Controversy

I don't agree with the mandate forcing contraception as a part of all health care plans. My reason is very simple -- I don't agree that the government or employers either, should be involved in the management of an individuals health care. But the issue has really gotten out of hand with all the back and forth rhetoric.

Earlier this week a Law student at Georgetown University complained that her school, operated by a religious organization should be required to provide her with free contraception as part of her health care plan.

At the end of this week, Nationally syndicated radio show host rush Limbaugh spoke out against the lady in question because of her views. Here is the quote from his radio show.

"What does it say about the college co-ed [Sandra] Fluke who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. [. . .]

If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch."- Rush Limbaugh

I don't care what the reason, this is not acceptable as far as I'm concerned. Whether you agree with her position or not, she doesn't deserve to be called vulgar names on a public show. Just additional validation of why I stopped listening to Rush back during the early years of the Clinton administration.