Writer's Block: Change of Law

[grysar]

[Error: unknown template qotd]I'd change the U.S. electoral laws. Switch the Senate to being elected by proportional vote (dropping the two Senators to a state thing), get house races more competitive (I don't particularly care which of many good options would be used) and the Presidency to Single Transferable Vote or something like it.

I think those changes would help revitalize our Congress and that other reforms I support would be popular enough to get through the resulting more democratic system. I'm a bit too much of a good governance type to implement my other policies by fiat.

Comments

[maniac-brainiac.livejournal.com]

The problem with a proportional vote (as it applies in Canadian government, anyway) is that it can hold an entire country hostage to the current ideals of the most populated region. In our case, Ontario is the most populated province, and therefore has the most parliament members. In a majority government, the will of the rest of the country is sublimated to the party line. Canada was held in a Conservative stranglehold for years because of our proportional vote. It was only after a major crisis in government (and votes of non-confidence) that we were able to see radical change.

Even so, lasting positive change comes slowly, if at all.

Would you do away with the electoral college?

[vexrm.livejournal.com]

umm...
Wasn't the senate specificly set up TO be the way it is and the house set up to represent the populace? IE one where all states are equal and one for majority rules?

I kindof like that balance. It's not perfect but it could blow too hard the other way quickly.