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The National Popular Vote coalition is lobbying states to hand their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote across all states. John Anderson, the former Congressman from Illinois justified that “Candidates would need to travel more and spend money in places where they haven’t spent a dime, but they should have to do that.”

I’m not so sure that making it more difficult to run for President is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States. I believe the reason we are seeing such close elections decided by the most hotly contested state is not because the system is fundamentally broken but because we have reduced the accessibility of Presidential campaigns to those with sufficient money and influence in one of the two parties. The process for electing the President encourages choice while the parties in power work against the interest of the people promoting their candidate at the expense of more choice.

If we want a President who represents the people we shouldn’t be making it more difficult to run, we should be removing barriers such as party primaries, that force would be contenders to yield and support the party’s choice.

Some of the furor over the UAE Ports deal shows how facts can be easily distorted to make an emotional appeal against otherwise reasonable actions. Thomas Kean, the the former chair of the 9/11 commission claimed that the UAE should not be allowed to manage our ports because “There’s no question that two of the 9/11 hijackers came from there and money was laundered through there.” Granted I’m unaware of whether any money used for terrorism has been laundered through London (not inconceivable) but there’s no question that four out of the four London bombers were British. Does that mean that if the deal falls through, P&O (a British company) shouldn’t be managing our ports either?

I don’t understand what all these people are complaining about. Why should you have to be Vice President to get away with shooting someone?

I robbed the bank and they just made me the manager. Who am I?

If you guessed Tom DeLay, you win. Mr. DeLay was recently appointed a seat on the appropriations committee - less than a week after resigning as majority leader. If you’ll recall Mr. DeLay was forced to resign after being indicted on charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

So, who are you voting for in November?

Just substitute everywhere Gonzales says “President” with “Congress” and we might be getting somewhere: http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/02/a_translation_o.html

Except that if Congress ever enacted such laws they would be looking for a new job next term.

“I am a dance machine.”
-Our “pet” AIBO with his new Mind3 Software

Speaking of stories we’ll be telling our kids; remember how we used to have to brush our teeth?

Ah the stories we’ll tell our kids…maybe.