K Street Veering Left

[Nono]

Well, guy, didn't we hear that sort of thing two years ago? I ain't holdin' ma breath.

Quote by: bishop rural/unpopulated states bitched and moaned about how more populated states would have more influence over the outcome of elections. what a concept... having the popular vote determine who holds power...

I disagree, though it is pretty damn galling to see how much disproportionate power certain redneck voters have in the US.

The point is that a federation has to have a way of countering the tendency toward a tyranny by the majority. And a completely proportional voting system produces its own perverse effects (see Belgium, see Israel, etc.)

The Swiss system has some things in common with the US, and it's often a pain in the ass to see a couple of dinky reactionary/outback mountain cantons torpedo something that all of us city-dwellers want. But, well, that's federalism, as they say.

[bishop]

really, my only gripe is with the electoral college system, not that each state gets two senators.. but, i did want to point out the reason why each state has two senators - because slaveholding states demanded it.