Hello Everybody,   
      
   Every four years there is talk about eliminating the   
   electoral college.  However, doing so would present a problem.   
   A huge problem.  Ever since our country was founded, each and   
   every state has taken pride in conducting its own elections.   
   Doing away with the electoral college would mean also doing   
   away with fifty state elections and one municipal election.   
   And that would mean nationalization, which is to say, a form   
   of dictatorship, far from benevolent.   
      
   Nationalization of elections is not a good thing, and has   
   never worked well in countries that have a direct popular vote.   
   Look at Haiti.  Look at what happened to Yugoslavia, which has   
   split into many separate factions.  I do not want the United   
   States to fall into such a mess, and I doubt that anybody else   
   wants that to happen, either.  Except for perhaps our enemies.   
      
   Although the electoral college system is far from a perfect   
   system, it has kept our country united, our people together,   
   and our politicians accountable to the voters.  Everybody   
   has a voice, including those who live in the hinterlands, not   
   just those who live in major metropolitan areas.  Without   
   a voice, politicians will ignore what is said.  The electoral   
   college system forces politicians to listen.  To everyone.   
   And to act in a responsible manner, for they know they will   
   be held accountable.   
      
   Libertarians complain the two-party system works against   
   them.  So do those who belong to other political parties,   
   such as the Reform Party or the Green Party.  However,   
   the reality is the lack of organization which is the true   
   cause as to why third party candidates have not been   
   successful.  The lack of organization and money.  However,   
   money will come (along with the ability to spend it wisely,   
   with good organization.   
      
   The late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone said it best in reference   
   to how to win elections - "Organize! Organize! Organize!"  His   
   words are just as true today as they were yesterday.  It is   
   not which political party one belongs to that wins the day.   
   It is the ability to organize and get things done that wins   
   elections, regardless of party.   
      
   Of course, the Framers of the Constitution knew that, making   
   no mention of political party in the U.S. Constitution.   
      
   --Lee   
      
      
    * SLMR 2.1a * Y'ou vous-autre est parti?   
      
   --- Maximus 3.01   
    * Origin: Xaragmata / Adelaide SA telnet://xaragmata.mooo.com (3:800/432)