> But doesn't near universal literacy, mass-media and > particularly > television change all that? > It seems to me that, whether they use it wisely or > not, all Americans > now have the ability to make an informed decision > about their leaders, > which certainly wasn't the case 200 years ago.
First of all, even though just about every American has access to media in some form or another, that info-feed would have to be unbiased for each person to be able to make an unbiased decision themselves. Nothing is absolutely unbiased. But more germane to this discussion is the idea that people can always be relied on to make a rational, informed decision. There are, I'm sure, plenty of people who will vote for Kerry because he's better looking, or for Bush because he has that "down home feel." More insidious, there's also the possibility that someone might vote for Candidate X because he promises to send all Muslims to Concentration Camps. The purpose of the Electorial College, then, is to ensure a reasonable candidate is elected that will protect the rights of ALL Americans, rather than campaign and get elected because he/she hates one group and promises to "do something" about them. Although the Electorial College traditionally votes along the lines of their electorate, they are NOT required to do so. The justification is of course in the Federalist Papers, essay #68 (Hamilton). I'm too lazy to cite, but a quick Google search should get the results... Damon. > > Cheers > Russell C. > > _______________________________________________ > http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l > > ===== ------------------------------------------------------------ Damon Agretto [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." http://www.geocities.com/garrand.geo/index.html Now Building: Legends Aussie Centurion Mk.5/1 ------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
