The OLD Philosopher – John M. Miller
“Swing States” Distort Democracy
In every presidential election, there are always only a few states where the candidates concentrate their efforts. In the three most recent campaigns, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona became nail biters.
This is the result of the most unjust and inequitable constitutional declaration of any nation in the world, the one that established the United States Electoral College. The people do not elect presidents in the USA; the Electoral College elects them. Over time, most states either become red (Republican) or blue (Democratic). But a few states are purple. They are neither Republican nor Democratic shoo-ins. Therefore the presidential candidates spend as much time trying to woo voters in those states as in all the other states combined where they are assured of victory before the polls even open.
The men at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 concluded the Electoral College was one of the compromises they needed to adopt in order to get the Constitution adopted. It may have seemed like a necessary evil then, but it is a patently undemocratic reality now. Every four years, the votes of tens of millions of Americans don’t count at all, while the votes of relatively few citizens in swing states determine the winner. It is a continuing travesty of justice.
For several reasons, but especially because of the Electoral College, the USA needs a new Constitutional Convention. The Constitution we have is no way to run a railroad.
Should Joe Biden Debate Donald Trump?
In the campaign for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party, Donald Trump refused to debate with any of the other candidates, and he won despite his refusal. Justice would be served if Joe Biden refused to debate Donald Trump, and Biden might win, in part, because of his refusal. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Trump and Netanyahu: Partners in Crime
Benyamin Netanyahu has served as Prime Minister of Israel for seventeen years, and Donald Trump was President of the United States for four years. As time went on, both men drew closer and closer to one another as personalities and as politicians. In and out of office, they also have exhibited marked tendencies to become criminal autocrats.
Allegations of crimes against each of these men have sounded with rising political clamor. While democracy still exists in the United States and in Israel, voters permanently need to expel each of these men from office. The justice systems of both nations await them, and regardless of the outcome, they both must stand trial before judges and juries. However, do not expect quick decisions. If the wheels of justice grind slowly, they will grind exceedingly slowly with this dissolute duo. – March 23, 2024
John Miller is Pastor of The Chapel Without Walls on Hilton Head Island, SC. More of his writings may be viewed at www.chapelwithoutwalls.org.