[Vision2020] Presidential Elections

Joshua Nieuwsma joshuahendrik@yahoo.com
Wed, 16 Jul 2003 10:58:09 -0700 (PDT)


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A simple majority candidate is a bad idea and makes for bad politics. And who says that they are preferred? Only the people who are on the simple majority side. Those in the minority, however huge it might be, are generally not happy with the events. Even in small situations, like school student body elections, close elections cause bad feelings among the students. The same in individual classrooms. So expand it to a national level, and you have big trouble. That's how you get assassinations and military states. Not everyone is as willing to accept a 49.99% defeat as you might be, Mr. Hansen. And some people are willing to fight over it, on both sides. That's my point. It's not a good idea. I don't like the electoral college either, but I do think that it has served as a scapegoat in several close elections in our nations history. I am arguing that the concept of simple majority is misplaced and misapplied in politics. It is a very dangerous way to decide national issues and!
  leaders. 
 
By the way, Mr. Hansen, most of the original founders of the united States were against party politics, knowing that they are 1) divisive, 2) threatening to freedom and liberty, 3) a horrible way to elect reps (i.e. the average "republican" or "democrat" will vote party line regardless of beliefs or morals). George Washington, in his farewell address, as I recall, or in a similar address, warned against them. But parties and cliques being human nature, they arose anyhow. And have caused problems ever since. 
 
out for today,
 
Joshua Nieuwsma

Thomas Hansen <tomh@FNA.fsn.uidaho.edu> wrote:
Visionaires -

Mr. Nieuwsam's argument doesn't hold water (let alone the hot air that is
intended). A majority candidate is always preferred. Last time I checked
50.000000000000001% is larger than 49.99999999999999999999999% and reflects
a majority. To maintain the electoral college just so we would have
something to blame when elections go "wrong" is beyond stupidity.

Mr. Niewsma stated:

"And Mr. Hansen, I think you missed Pastor Wilson's point. Two opposite
directions (i.e. not facing same way) is not the same thing as two different
choices. Both the Dems and the Reps are socialists. Just one is more open
about it."

As it should be. The current two-party system is the result of over 200
years of political evolution within the United States. One way to develope
a viable third party is to create one that a large percentage of the people
support not only with ballots but with money.

For your information, independent candidates (candidates not affiliated with
any political party) have been elected as state governors, US
Representatives, and US Senators.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho




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<DIV>A simple majority candidate is a bad idea and makes for bad politics. And who says that they are preferred? Only the people who are on the&nbsp;simple majority side. Those in the minority, however huge it might be, are generally <EM>not</EM>&nbsp;happy with the events. Even in small situations, like school student body elections, close elections cause bad feelings among the students. The same in individual classrooms. So expand it to a national level, and you have big trouble. That's how you get assassinations and military states. Not everyone is as willing to accept a 49.99% defeat as you might be, Mr. Hansen. And some people are willing to fight over it, on both sides.&nbsp;That's my point. It's not a good idea. I don't like the electoral college either, but I do think that it has served as a scapegoat in several close elections in our nations history. I am arguing that the concept of simple majority is misplaced and misapplied in politics. It is a very dangerous way&!
 nbsp;to
 decide national issues and leaders. </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>By the way, Mr. Hansen,&nbsp;most of the original founders of the united States were against party politics, knowing that they are 1) divisive, 2) threatening to freedom and liberty, 3) a horrible way to elect reps (i.e. the average "republican" or "democrat" will vote party line regardless of beliefs or morals). George Washington, in his farewell address, as I recall, or in a similar address, warned against them. But parties and cliques being human nature, they arose anyhow. And have caused problems ever since. </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>out for today,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Joshua Nieuwsma</DIV>
<DIV><BR><B><I>Thomas Hansen &lt;tomh@FNA.fsn.uidaho.edu&gt;</I></B> wrote:</DIV>
<DIV>Visionaires -<BR><BR>Mr. Nieuwsam's argument doesn't hold water (let alone the hot air that is<BR>intended). A majority candidate is always preferred. Last time I checked<BR>50.000000000000001% is larger than 49.99999999999999999999999% and reflects<BR>a majority. To maintain the electoral college just so we would have<BR>something to blame when elections go "wrong" is beyond stupidity.<BR><BR>Mr. Niewsma stated:<BR><BR>"And Mr. Hansen, I think you missed Pastor Wilson's point. Two opposite<BR>directions (i.e. not facing same way) is not the same thing as two different<BR>choices. Both the Dems and the Reps are socialists. Just one is more open<BR>about it."<BR><BR>As it should be. The current two-party system is the result of over 200<BR>years of political evolution within the United States. One way to develope<BR>a viable third party is to create one that a large percentage of the people<BR>support not only with ballots but with money.<BR><BR>For your information, ind!
 ependent
 candidates (candidates not affiliated with<BR>any political party) have been elected as state governors, US<BR>Representatives, and US Senators.<BR><BR>Tom Hansen<BR>Moscow, Idaho<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><p><hr SIZE=1>
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