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I'm not going to argue about this same subject yet again.

TheCatt wrote:

Leisher wrote:

TheCatt wrote:
That's a dumb response.

Not as dumb as your original comment.

Why? States barely matter any more.

Being honest, I don't have a lot of motivation towards this conversation. We've done this previously, and we each ended at "The EC should stay, but probably needs some tweaking."

However, since this states thing is new... Explain that statement further. Also, explain why we need a Senate if the states don't matter. (That's not being snarky, just seeing how far you're taking their lack of importance.)

Oh, and explain why you think the Earth is flat. (This is partly to rib you and partly to remind me to post about something I heard recently. I might have found the world moron champion. Nobody is going to believe the level of stupidity. <--That's what we call a teaser.)

FYI, I probably won't come back to continue this conversation until tomorrow. Busy here, have school stuff to do tonight along with some family obligations, and a complete lack of energy today. So apologies in advance.

Leisher wrote: However, since this states thing is new... Explain that statement further. Also, explain why we need a Senate if the states don't matter. (That's not being snarky, just seeing how far you're taking their lack of importance.)

A lot of the US political stuff was based on states mattering, and being distinct, and blah blah blah. And that's just not nearly as true any more as it used to be. Lots of reasons why, but it used to be a lot harder to move around, etc. Much as the EU has harmonized large amounts of laws across countries, so has the US across states, except even moreso. States still matter, so keep the Senate. But remove the EC, or adjust it, or something. The idea that we have 3 elected bodies (President, Senate, and House), and only 1 of them even tries to comes close to 1 person 1 vote is absurd.

I bet the FBI got a phone call today. That's a straight-up terrorist threat.

TheCatt wrote: Peeps going crazy in my hood.

Wait, what? Benghazi?

I'm not going to go back and find my questions about whether they can vote on Indian Reservations, but the answer is yes.

https://www.bia.gov/frequently-asked-questions

Biden leads Georgia by 900 votes. - Prediction markets says 89% Biden
Trump leads PA by 18,000 votes. - Prediction markets say 92% Biden
Biden - NV - 12k - Markets 93% Biden
Biden - AZ - 46k - Markets 76% Biden

So tight.

TheCatt wrote:

Leisher wrote: However, since this states thing is new... Explain that statement further. Also, explain why we need a Senate if the states don't matter. (That's not being snarky, just seeing how far you're taking their lack of importance.)

A lot of the US political stuff was based on states mattering, and being distinct, and blah blah blah. And that's just not nearly as true any more as it used to be. Lots of reasons why, but it used to be a lot harder to move around, etc. Much as the EU has harmonized large amounts of laws across countries, so has the US across states, except even moreso. States still matter, so keep the Senate. But remove the EC, or adjust it, or something. The idea that we have 3 elected bodies (President, Senate, and House), and only 1 of them even tries to comes close to 1 person 1 vote is absurd.

I agree with parts of that, disagree with other parts, and think we're simply going to fall right into the same conclusion we had last time: Adjust the EC, but don't dump it. So I'll leave it there.

TheCatt wrote: Peeps going crazy in my hood.

I'm going with hoax, and not necessarily blaming the person who found this stuff, but she's definitely sus.

TheCatt wrote: Biden leads Georgia by 900 votes. - Prediction markets says 89% Biden
Trump leads PA by 18,000 votes. - Prediction markets say 92% Biden
Biden - NV - 12k - Markets 93% Biden
Biden - AZ - 46k - Markets 76% Biden

So tight.

I really, really wish this would end, and I'm super thrilled the best possible outcome (Biden with an R senate) is still in play.

However, I also really, really need you to stop ruining such a great word by associating it with this shit show. Tight...

Leisher wrote: but she's definitely sus.

Two separate people found the stuff. I dunno, there's a fair amt of crazy out there. And it only takes 1 crazy.

Leisher wrote: Tight...

So Moist. Better?

TheCatt wrote: Two separate people found the stuff. I dunno, there's a fair amt of crazy out there. And it only takes 1 crazy.

Two people finding stuff doesn't make it less sus. I think there's as good a chance that this is a prank, and the stuff was left to be found.

TheCatt wrote: So Moist. Better?

I think it's hilarious that women hate the word moist.

Leisher wrote: and the stuff was left to be found.

I mean, the whole intent was for it to be found, either way. It was left in people's driveways, to be found. Only the Biden sign yards got the letters.

Leisher wrote:

TheCatt wrote:

Leisher wrote: However, since this states thing is new... Explain that statement further. Also, explain why we need a Senate if the states don't matter. (That's not being snarky, just seeing how far you're taking their lack of importance.)

A lot of the US political stuff was based on states mattering, and being distinct, and blah blah blah. And that's just not nearly as true any more as it used to be. Lots of reasons why, but it used to be a lot harder to move around, etc. Much as the EU has harmonized large amounts of laws across countries, so has the US across states, except even moreso. States still matter, so keep the Senate. But remove the EC, or adjust it, or something. The idea that we have 3 elected bodies (President, Senate, and House), and only 1 of them even tries to comes close to 1 person 1 vote is absurd.

I agree with parts of that, disagree with other parts, and think we're simply going to fall right into the same conclusion we had last time: Adjust the EC, but don't dump it. So I'll leave it there. D

Just like with voting, some people need that subconcious assurance that their lives aren't being completely ruled by some king 1.5k miles away in DC... or even worse, NYC and San Francisco. Those states are important because, historically, they were designed with capitals somewhat central to the state, so they could be travelled to within X amount of time with a horse and wagon. I remembered Ohio counties were set up the same way, county sizes were decided so the county seat was within 1 day wagon travel by anywhere in that county.

That being said, if you erase state lines, or even just say they don't matter any more, people are going to feel like they have less ownership in the system of government. If 10 cities in the country have the population to decide the vote no matter how the rest of the country votes, then politicians are now free to completely ignore the rest of the country, both during campaigning, and spending any money at all. Why make sure the interstates through Wyoming are maintained? They never affect any elections. Fuck 'um.

On paper, sure, pure democracy. A single, efficient world government. In reality, people are funny, with they funny ways, and they aren't going to be happy with that. You're going to need local autonomy, to a degree, if you want people to keep paying tax money into your game, ensuring the 5 counties surrounding Washington DC remain among the 10 richest in the country.

GORDON wrote: If 10 cities in the country have the population to decide the vote no matter how the rest of the country votes,

Cities are magically homogenous now? Also, the 10 largest cities are ~10% of the US, max.

GORDON wrote: then politicians are now free to completely ignore the rest of the country, both during campaigning, and spending any money at all. Why make sure the interstates through Wyoming are maintained? They never affect any elections. Fuck 'um.

The Senate still exists. And guess who controls the "spending the money"? Congress. No the President.

Take away their guns and the hummer, and brand "I am an idiot" on their foreheads.

After a year in jail.

The prediction markets have basically given up on Trump.

Candidate
Odds
Percent Chance
Donald Trump
+1850
5%
Joe Biden
-3333
95%

Maybe the popular vote should be a tie-breaker. IF the election is within X electoral votes.