A graphic that shows likely swing states can be found here. So...for those of you from a swing state, where do you think it is going to land in this election? Why? And for those of you from a non-swing state, do you agree with the characterization of state allegiance in this graphic?
One last thought: Direct democracy consists of one person, one vote. Do we live in a direct democracy when it comes to presidential elections?
No we do not live in a direct democracy. We here in the United States use an electoral college system. This means in a way, each person still has one vote, but our vote only carries to a certain level. By this I mean, when I vote for a candidate, what I am really doing is electing someone to vote for that person for me.
ReplyDeleteMichigan's vote will be tied to the auto industry. Although Mitt is from Michigan, his opposition to the government bail out of the auto industry (justified or not) will harm him in this state. A strong stance of alternatives he would have used or a strong showing of support to make sure the situation for the industry never reaches that level again will help his case.
I agree with Travis, Mitt Romney will have to convince his Michigan constituency that with his policies, those in the auto industry can trust him to do what's best. Although I think bigger issues at hand between the two candidates are health care and economic reform including both tax and debt policy. I don't see Romney actively seeking out to moderate voters and their concerns, but rather sticking close to his conservative backers. Obama has a 'feel good' quality that Romney literally can't express, and I believe this is what many moderate voters consider. I think the only way Romney stands a chance in this election is by taking a step back from political jabs and acknowledging that with his policies, the people will take back their independence through state power and lower taxes, their country will continue to be safe and more responsible, and by telling America that this is a land of opportunity, not promises, where the hardworking find a way to prosper.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Jimmy, health care and economic reform are bigger issues that the candidates have to deal with and they have to be really smart when talking about this. Texas is in a different position than Michigan. It is not considered a swing state due to its republican-voting history which is why it is not surprising that it will be mostly Romney, although it nice to see that it is not "completely Romney."
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Texas, being the leader in the production of natural gas, has benefited from the Obama administration policies that seek to cut pollution from the dirtiest power plants, which run on coal. The state has to really consider the plans that Romney has in regards to this topic because taking back these regulations will definitely affect Texas.
As for the direct democracy, I couldn't agree more with Travis. Our vote counts only towards the votes that Texas (or any other state) will give. I think it is important to vote, but when you cast your vote as part of a state where the majority of the people vote opposite of you, it feels like your vote doesn't matter at all.
As mentioned by previous comments we do not use the direct democracy method, but rather an electoral college. Each state elects delegates and according on whom gets the majority of votes in that state, the delegate should vote according to majority in their state. Though it is supposed they vote according to majority, but it is not binding. With the exception of Maine and Nebraska, the delegates should vote in the same way the majority of voters in their state do. This can be thought of as a “winner takes all vote.” Delegate in Maine and Nebraska have the option to split votes. The electoral college system is used to stress the importance of swing state in the presidential election.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of where I think this election will fall for Michigan, I believe Michigan will stay Democratic as it has in the past couple presidential election. Also, I think it is interest Romney was from Michigan and would like see how that influences Michigan voters.
I've always loved the idea of a direct democracy, because it is the state of government in its purest, most 'democratic' form. With one person and one vote, every idea and fringe of society can be heard. As equitable as this would be, we simply do not have the capabilities to structure such a thing in our society. We elect people off the basic premises that they will represent our interests to the rest of the system. Gone, are the days of meeting on the hill, with every raised voting hand counted. We forsake this because it is practically impossible to have full accountability as a country.
ReplyDeleteWith new "voter id laws" sweeping across the country, stanch conservatives are now propagating stricter voter regulations. Immigrants, and the lower class are often the victims of these situations in which multiple ids are more difficult for them to aquire.
Perhaps in the future with technological innovation we will find a way to have a pure direct democracy. Popular polisci ideas like the "democratic peace theory" will hopefully have more tangibility in a world where power is fragmented into the hands of the people.