Well, since we have nothing but centrist/populist vote whores for candidates
(instead of leaders), if the majority of the US population fancies grade
scale voting as a way to have more fun (people like voting AGAINST things
not just for them) at the booth, then the candidates will jump on the
bandwagon to chase the "issue votes". Call in the anarchist spin doctors to
sell the idea to the masses...(irony intended). Until we can bring about a
total shift in consciousness (my main focus), let's use their systems
against them.  Hey, Napster took the country by storm, with no advertising
at all! Grassroots word of mouth (or as corporations so fondly call it
"viral marketing") still works.
geo-free
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Koenig <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: [CHOMSKY] restructuring the vote


Nice idea, but this assumes that those in positions of power would support
changes to the system so that the public.can be empowered to throw them out.
As for the amendment, first you need to get it through both houses of
Congress and then, if I am not mistaken, through three-quarters of the state
legislatures within a specific period of time.  Will those exercising power
enthusiastically join your crusade to change the status quo and facilitate
stripping themselves of their power?  Now then, what was Tony saying about
electoralism?  : )   Dan

GEOFFREY PALMER wrote:

> There's been a lot of talk about people throwing away there vote. I even
saw a bumper sticker that read: " if God wanted us to vote, he would have
given us candidates". I propose a revamping of the voting system to better
reflect the opinions of all the peopleand all of the candidates. Instead of
a one-person one vote, what about one person one vote for each candidate
based on a 0-10 grading scale. Voting zero, for a candidate allowed you a
negative vote for someone you did not want to win, and more points for those
you like. That way voting for, say Nader-10, also allowed you to vote zero
for say, Bush and 5 for Gore. This would be a more accurate reflection of
how people actually felt about all of the candidates, not just the "lesser
of two evils" without feeling like you were throwing away tour vote for fear
of the "most evil" one winning. This could be easily facilitated by listing
all candidates (and write-in's) on the voting card with 11 holes to punch
(0-10). Amendment anyone?
> Geo-free