ballot

Real Reform Begins In The Ballot Box

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:30am | posted by Jeremy Kolassa

I remember about a month ago there was a lot of bruhaha about Pennsylvanian Republicans trying to change their contribution to the Electoral College by divvying up the votes based on Congressional districts, like Maine and Nebraska. Naturally, a lot of people got upset with that, with some (like Doug Mataconis and George Will) saying we should keep the Electoral College just like it is now, and many others saying that we should instead move to a National Popular Vote system. Now with Occupy Wall Street taking over our media senses, some of that talk has been pushed aside, with people instead focusing on Wall Street rather than Pennsylvania Avenue.

I would like to go back to the Avenue, however, for multiple reasons. First off, I actually think that a lack of serious political reforms is the reason for much of the discontent we’re seeing in Zucotti Park. Second, we have Congressional deadlock, as always—but in recent years, the vitriol and polarization we have seen has increased dramatically. Third, even with the 2010 GOP landslide in the House, we still have a very high incumbent reelection rate—although it was lower in previous elections, it still stood at 87%. Fourth, we have not seen any new ideas with regards to the major issues of the day: our debt crisis, our flagging economy, our eroding civil liberties, or our overburdening government.

Clearly, the emphasis is on the egg and not the noggin in the egg nog, here.

Very little can be done to change or institute major reform, even though we need it, badly. Part of that is by design. The Founders wanted a system where it would be difficult to radically change it, in order to preserve the liberty they had fought so hard for. In the modern era, that backfired. Instead of preserving liberty, the system is preserving the corrupt bog from which liberty is being drowned in.

White House to Further Involve Federal Government in Elections

Tue, 04/02/2013 - 9:01am | posted by Jason Pye

ballot

As Americans were preparing to celebrate the Easter weekend, President Barack Obama quietly signed an executive order that establishes the “Presidential Commission of Election Administration.” This nine-member panel will, according to the release from the White House, make recommendations to promote the efficient administration of elections in order to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots without undue delay.”

During the State of the Union address, President Obama addressed the reports of long lines at polling places around the country, using an example out of Florida, one of the areas of the country that experienced problems.

“We should follow the example of a North Miami woman named Desiline Victor. When she arrived at her polling place, she was told the wait to vote might be six hours,” President Obama said during his speech to the joint session of Congress. ”And as time ticked by, her concern was not with her tired body or aching feet, but whether folks like her would get to have their say.”

Hour after hour, a throng of people stayed in line in support of her,” he continued. “Because Desiline is 102 years old. And they erupted in cheers when she finally put on a sticker that read ‘I Voted.’”

The commission, which will have six months to report its finding to the White House after its first meeting, will consider a number of points dealing with voter experience at the polls, including:

Judge Napolitano: Time To Legalize Marijuana

Fri, 03/26/2010 - 2:08pm | posted by Doug Mataconis

Judge Andrew Napolitano appeared on Fox News yesterday to discuss the California referendum to legalize marijuana:

A History Lesson From A 4 Yr. Old

Tue, 04/14/2009 - 12:15pm | posted by Jonathan Bydlak

A four year old takes time out of his busy schedule to give grown-ups an American history lesson. Watch him explain the Declaration of Independence, the Boston Tea Party and the rights of American citizens.

Even he understands citizens should be in charge! Take some time out of your schedule to find out how ballot initiatives can work for you at http://www.CitizensInCharge.org

Update on McCain’s FEC woes

Thu, 05/08/2008 - 8:29pm | posted by Liberty Belle

Senator McCain’s possible FEC violations were previously blogged about here- McCain snared in his own FEC trap?

The New York Times, reports that it appears President Bush may be attempting to come to McCain’s rescue by announcing three nominees for the FEC agency. If they are confirmed, this would give the commission the quorum they need to vote and decide whether McCain has been released from the matching funds program or not.