A Wise Man's Opinion on America's Electoral Process

A man who is much wiser and more successful than most people I have met in my life wrote this to me. Please read it; it has incredible insight into America's electoral process, and how screwed up the entire process is:



Ethan,

I really admire your dedication to involving yourself in the election process. I assure you that while many people don't vote at all, those that do are totally under and misinformed, especially on state and local issues.

I'm still debating a couple of the propositions and when I do vote, I'll let you know my choices. Some observations and comments about our election process:

The initiative process in California is a terrible way to make law. Those writing the initiatives and placing them on the ballot are usually totally biased to their own prejudices and constituencies. There is no allowance for amendment to arrive at a fair compromise and consensus. It's all or nothing. If the state government did what they were elected to do and not always be in partisan gridlock, we wouldn't need all these initiatives every two years.

Voting on Tuesdays is archaic. The original reason for Tuesday had something to do with Farmers being home from market. Having polls closed and results announced in the east while polls are open in the west is unfair. If we're interested in giving people the best chance to vote, how hard can it be to hold elections on a weekend over a common 24 or 36 hour period? Say, like 3PM Saturday to 3PM Sunday EST?

Voter fraud is going to be the undoing of the democracy. You must be 18 years old, a citizen, and a resident of the district you're voting about, in order to vote. When you vote, why don't you have to prove who you are and that you're qualified to vote under the constitution? I don't want Russians, illegals, 14 year olds, or dead people having a vote to determine my country's future, and allowing the instigators of this fraud to go unpunished. It should be considered as treason.

A few more issues: Incumbents have stacked the deck against challengers through gerrymandering. Uncontrolled campaign financing will kill the chances of the "common folk" to ever be part of the elected. The biased roll of the media undermines the importance of a free press.

Ethan, there are many issues to resolve. I hope you'll continue to be a player and work to protect the internal integrity of these United States of America. Keep studying and making your views known.