Donald E Davison wrote:
>
> --------- Forwarded without comment ----------
> Resent-Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 10:53:27 -0500
> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 07:49:44 -0800
> From: "Peter B. Macdonald" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Organization: Private
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: How to Fix an Election
>
> The following appeared on one of my listserve.
>
> Though it might be of interest.
>
> Some of you math types might like to pick it apart.
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter B. Macdonald
>
> http://www.netci.com/taxcap
> The other side of Direct Democracy
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
> >From Ivars Peterson's Math Trek, Science News Online,
> http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/10_31_98/mathland.htm
>
> October 31, 1998
>
> How to Fix an Election
>
> By Ivars Peterson -- Science News Online
>
[snip]
> Comments are welcome. Please send messages to Ivars Peterson
> at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> Ivars Peterson is the mathematics/computers writer and online
> editor at Science News.
You don't have to be a math type to pick this article apart.
First, the author appears to rely almost exclusively on Donald Saari as
a source of information for this article.
Second, he mentions that Borda has "some problems", but doesn't
enumerate them at all. No mention of rich-party or "turkey raising".
Third, he incorrectly uses the term "approval voting" to describe a
multiple-seat election. Approval is by definition a single winner
method. He appears to be using the term to describe an At-Large
Plurality election.
At least there is an address for comments directed at the author. Some
letters to the editor might be in order as well.
Bart Ingles
