Before I launch into my diatribe, let me just ask this - why is it the Naan and Curry in North Beach always smells like cleaning products but never smells clean? Good food though, that's why I go back.
Certain factions wish to break up the California presidential electorate, so that each county has a vote. In practice, this means that California in 2004 would have not cast 55 votes to Kerry, but 33 to Kerry and 22 to Bush.
What a bunch of gerrymandering tools.
The article above covers most of it. You gotta love how the people behind it claim to be non-partisan.
It seems to me that if such a proposition were instated, it would need to be a blanket rule for all states, not just the large prizes with divided loyalties. California is a hell of a prize but a foregone conclusion, usually - which is why it doesn't get much attention, especially proportionate to population. Which begs the question - why this half-ass democracy, anyways? If not state to state, is county to county better?
Why not just do away with the antiquated electoral college and institute a popular vote instead?
It isn't likely to pass - the interests have to pass the prop in a state that is weighed against them anyways, and the people aren't stupid . It said in the article that if nothing else, it does serve to drive Democrats crazy. Well, I'm distracted from the real issues. Mission accomplished.
In other observations, did anyone else notice while watching "Snakes on a Plane" that they were talking to Air Traffic Control, saying the avionics were out? That's like calling someone on the phone, reaching them, and telling them that their phone doesn't work. But perhaps this movie's primary goal was not realism.
Does anyone remember that scene in "My dinner with André" (just alienated 7/8th of my readers) where they were talking about New York City (how everyone talks about leaving it but no one does), as the model for the new prison where people are both the prisoner and the guard? Seems esoteric, but there is truth behind it.
Say there is a question of wages (raised? lowered?) at a company - and you are an employee and a shareholder. Where do you stand on the issue? Is this stance proportionate to principals or your interests? It's this schizophrenia that drives us bonkers. I guess it's inevitable in a society of rank and hierarchy, where you aren't the highest or the lowest.
In other news, my brother's family came to town for a visit. Which brought the whole family together, which is great but not as effortless as one might wish.
Oh wait I just said family and effortless in the same sentence. Please delete previous paragraph from your memory banks : )
They are well and beautiful, if a trifle homesick. California is a beautiful place, and there is much to miss. 55 we stand, 33/22 we fall.
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