----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua Bell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 7:48 PM
Subject: RE: Proportional Representation Re: Winner Takes All
> dendriite [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] exclaimed:
> >
> > So an Alaskans vote is worth more than a Texans vote because
> > there are fewer Alaskans.
>
> The US is both a governing body for people and a governing body for
> states. Congress represents the people proportionally (1 congresscritter
> per X people); the senate represents the states (2 senators per state).
> The numbers going into the electoral college appear to be a compromise
> between the two, heavily weighted in favor of the people. Representing
> the states seems to be a good check&balance for not completely ignoring
> minorities on the basis of location.
>
> Those of us on the relatively underpopulated left coast frequently
> complain that the US is very east-coast centric and ignores the west. If
> representation were truly proportional, perhaps it would be even worse -
> great incentive for Cascadia to split off. :)
>
Joshua, I understand the theory behind electoral vote dilution, that is not
a problem. I do find it ridiculous that my vote for president is not equal
to the vote of an individual from another state. The president is not a
"Ruler" and actually hold less overall power than the legislative branch who
are elected proportionally.
This is the only example I am aware of (in the US) where voters are not
equal.
xponent
rob
