Saturday, February 06, 2016
Remember That Time I Ran For President?
If you said, "Why, yes, Jim, I do remember that time you ran for President!", then you're either insane or you're just being kind to me. But I did run for President once. Or, at least, I appeared on the presidential ballot in Massachusetts. Kind of.
That should probably be enough to get you to go read my column in today's Boston Herald.
Just in case it isn't, though, here's something else. In my column, I give you a bet you will almost positively win (unless you bet with a Libertarian, in which case you will positively lose. So don't make the bet with a Libertarian.)
If those two things aren't enough, I don't know what else I can do to intrigue you.
Oh, OK. There's a little bit about what could turn out to be the biggest political story of the past 200 years or so and probably bring about an absolute end to presidential elections as we now know them.
But, putting all of that aside, it's MY column, it was written by ME and you love ME, so quit wasting your time reading this drivel and go read that drivel. Thank you.
As always, letters to the editor and kind comments at the website are welcomed. Also, if you actually buy today's hard copy of the Boston Herald, and if the country we know and love is still a functioning entity when I win my Pulitzer in, say, 2046, bringing that hard copy to the party I'll throw will entitle you to a free burrito. The value is obvious, so I'd run out and buy about ten of them if I were you.
Are you still here?!? For goodness sakes, go read the Boston Herald and make yourself useful, please.
Soon, with more better stuff (probably).
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10 comments:
I think I would vote for you before any of the current batch of candidates.
As bizarre as the EC system seems, a pure head count vote would render some states with zero power. Politicians would not care a whit about say some cattle ranchers in Montana (sorry Montana, I don't know what you all do either) as currying their favor would be insignificant next to kissing up to the needs of a small populous state like NJ. Politicians go for the bang for the buck. The EC system assures every state has some voting value.
Why do I get the feeling that you know more about this than most of the candidates? That worries me. I suppose we would need a constitutional amendment to get rid of the electoral college.
Joe - On the other hand, small states that are obviously in the pocket of one party or another can be ignored with impunity. Take my Massachusetts, for example (although arguing it is a "small" state may not be right.) A Democrat will more than likely win here, so all votes cast for anyone other than the Democrat nominee are shitcanned and worthless. A true head count vote would resurrect them and make them more valuable.
Jono - I may know more than some of them. And, yes, that IS scary. Anytime I know more about anything, it's scary.
Seems a strange way to do things, but that's Amurrica for ya.
Heh. I'd make some wisecrack about you trying to get into College, but the people of Massachusetts declining your application, but. . .
Or, I'd make a wisecrack about running in an election so you could vote in an election, but. . .
Neither of them are that funny. . .
But hey, thanks for the bar bet; next time I'm in Massachusetts. . .
Sham - Anything that would have a dope like me being given a disproportionate voice in deciding the outcome of an election is something that definitely makes no sense.
Craig - Oh, you can win that bet anywhere; it doesn't have to be in Massachusetts. As a matter of fact, whatever state Geraldine Ferraro was from would work best.
When the Electoral College gets your person in despite the popular vote, it's a great system. When it gets the other person in, it's time to do away with it! At least, that's what i've heard.
Mimi - That's pretty much the size of it. Doing away with it will make it obvious and simple.
I did not vote for you in 1996. But today, I'd vote for you :)
It would be refreshing to have someone to vote FOR since I usually vote against the shittiest candidates.
But, since approximately three minutes after the polls close, the results of the national elections are announced here in Oregon... my vote doesn't mean shit.
Electoral votes are usually the opposite of how I voted anyway.
Meh. It's all crap.
Ami - I think it's hideous when the networks call an election, at any point. People should be left to use their own critical thinking. We'd be a smarter and more involved nation.
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