____________, (2004) “Does Your Vote Matter?” BUSINESS WEEK, June 13, p. 60-75.

The Electoral College has got to go. Once under the domain of the Democratic Party, it is now in the hands of the Republicans. Regardless of party, the continuation of the Electoral College encourages a trend of declining participation, less competition for ideas, big money politics, and increased balkanization.

The best thing that could happen to get rid of the Electoral College is for a Republican to win the popular vote and the Democrat to win the Electoral College. This would force both parties to assess what is in their best interest. Without some crisis, the tipping point does not occur and we continue to meander in one of the lowest voter participation of most countries that vote.

Accordingly this is the case against the college.

1. Numerous states are already decided. Voting for the Democrat in Nebraska really means nothing. It will go Republican as if all Nebraskans are Republican. This applies to New York. Both Democrats and Democratic Republicans are still Democrats. It is a lost cause for Republicans.

2. At one time, many more states were competitive. Now it is down to about 17 and declining. When you cross the Aksarben bridge from Iowa into Nebraska you enter Republican country. There is more to that statement than what one initially comprehends.
It is not just Nebraska, but a HUGE land mass of votes from North Dakota to Texas and from the Missouri river to Idaho. It totally dwarfs California in geographic size. However, the numbers of people are tiny. 10 states have 48 electoral votes. California has
55 electors. The little (in number) also get a bonus vote or two. Democrats have California for sure, and possibly 5 other states, but that is not certain. Then you add Republican Texas to the mix (34 electoral votes) and you have 82 votes. It is half the country in land mass and 82 of 538 electoral votes. In this half of the country not many states are competititive.

3. Now go to Iowa. It is just across the Missouri from Nebraska. Politically, you drive into a mother lode of cash. In the early season, a ton of money and media is poured into the first caucus –retail state. It is also a more moderate toss up state that is a little more Democrat than Republican. The political ads drive out the advertisements for corn seed, fertilizers and ethanol. Candidates come back again and again. TOSS UP states is really where most of the campaigning is left. So a few decide for the many. To make matters more complicated much of the toss up states has a few competitive counties or voter districts. They decide.

4. The swing vote is tiny because of balkanization. That word means that moderate Democrats and Conservative Republicans no longer will tolerate compromise. Thus, swing voters who vote for reasons known only to God decide numerous races. About 2.5% decide an election. Florida, Ohio, and Missouri are the swing states. You have to have them to win.

5. All the above drive voters away. When 35 of the 435 house of representative are competitive, you know the game is up. It takes about $900,000.00 dollars to win a house seat. Money talks and voters know it as they drift away from voting.

6. Both parties gerrymander to maximize their clout. Right now, Republicans are doing a better job than Democrats. Thus, in so many districts, the outcome is already determined. So why vote? Among countries with democratic elections, the USA ranks 139th. Voter participation is about 54%. Go figure. The rest of the country on election night is watching a cable movie.

7. Primaries are a mad scramble. The Democrat in this election was selected in 29 days and with about 22% of the population. At first, this was thought of as a reform, now it is a terrible crunch and curse for those who compete.

8. Voting has become mysterious and complicated. You think that you are voting for one candidate and you are voting for another. You may vote on a high tech machine in which a recount is nearly impossible. You show up at the polls and told that you are a felon and can’t vote. Your record is clean, but you have been disenfranchised. In 2000, up to 2 million voters were lost because of confusing ballots or malfunctioning machines. So Florida can happen again as it did in 2,000.

9. At this point, BUSINESS WEEK presents some reasonable civic textbook solutions to improve American politics. They include fixing the public fund, broaden public financing, help challengers, overhaul the federal election commissions, and encourage small donors. Don’t believe it. Systems change when they are forced to do so. Thus, look at #10.

10. Keep voting. The Electoral College has negated the winnings of more than just former vice president Al Gore. It is only when the electoral system keeps making American elections look or appear or be rigged that the system will change. The electoral system must collapse unto itself. Incumbents will not want to change it. Further, you need to be concerned about the replacement. Is it fair? Is it representative? Or will the Supreme Court have to decide, and the decision is based on one vote?