It is broke and we should fix it!

On what could be a defining moment for the Democratic Party nomination, I thought I would weigh in on something that has been bothering me for the past few months.

Our system to choose a president is broken and I didn’t realize it until I began to see it through the eyes of people in other countries.  It has been difficult to answer the question on why we choose the president in such an archaic and convoluted way.  These are the types of questions I have received while on the road.

“Why do some states have a caucus and why do some have a primary?”

“ How can Clinton win one state and get all of their delegates while in another state only receive a proportional number of delegates?”

"What the hell is a “super delegate” and how can they potentially vote against the popular vote of their fellow state voters?”

“If McCain has things wrapped up do the states at the end of the election cycle really have any voice?”

“Why does Iowa and New Hampshire go first?”

To be honest I had a difficult time answering those questions.  Though it worked for my parents when I was young, the answer because it has always been that way is not good enough for me.  In my adult life most of the nominations of both parties were named shortly after Super Tuesday.  So I never really thought about the process.  I never though about how unfair and undemocratic the process is for both parties to nominate a candidate for president.

It is clear to me the system is broke and it is time a bi-partisan commission is created to develop a more democratic system.  It will require both parties to think of the public good vs. what is in their best interest. 

I am proud that Michigan and Florida took a stand to show the country that two small states should not have such power and influence over the country.  Though I do feel the two parties in Michigan perverted the process by mandating that personal information regarding who voted in each primary be given only to the political parties.  If our legislators couldn’t protect our privacy then they should have made the information open to the public not just the parties.  Regardless, it was the first step in making change for the 2012 election.

Once we get that done we can work on changing the electoral college next.  But that is another post for another time!

Comments

[R SUE DODEA]

Sam, while reading your account I begin to feel as though we are all seeing through your eyes, taking your steps. Thank you for bringing this world along on your journey, all blessings, R. Sue Dodea

[The Sywaks]

Happy Birthday Sam !!!!

[Robin]

Go figure... Sam celebrates his birthday with political commentary. I'll think of you at MPLP on Thursday! Run good...

[Patti Dolan]

Happy birthday today Sam!! Good luck tomorrow!

[Travis Stoliker]

I absolutely agree! Our election system is horrible. It's the system itself that is responsible for low voter turn out.