Sometimes its embarrassing to live in Massachusetts. Every chance I get, I vote, and only about five times in the thirty-something years I have lived here has my candidate won (the most recent example of that was Scott Brown). Well, our state legislature has done it again. They have found another way to discount the value of my vote.
According to Boston.com the Massachusetts Legislature has approved a new law intended to bypass the Electoral College system and ensure that the winner of the presidential election is determined by the national popular vote. OK. That doesn’t sound all that bad. But wait a minute.
According to the article:
“Under the law, which was enacted by the House last week, all 12 of the state’s electoral votes would be awarded to the candidate who receives the most votes nationally.”
So why should I vote? Should I find another state to vote in so that my vote will count?
The Electoral College was originally set up to ensure that the votes of people in small states or sparsely populated areas would count in a national election. Because of the Electoral College, a presidential candidate is prevented from concentrating on one state or area of the country–he is forced to address the entire nation. It is not a perfect system, but it does give those of us who live in small towns or small states a voice in our government. To give the electoral votes of Massachusetts to whoever wins the popular vote nationally is to take away the voting rights of the people of Massachusetts.
The article states:
“”We’ve had a lot of bad ideas come through this chamber over the years, but this is going to be one of the worst ideas that has surfaced and actually garnered some support,” said (Richard) Tisei, who is also the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
“The bill, which passed on a 28-to-9 vote, now heads to Democratic Governor Deval Patrick’s desk. The governor has said in the past that he supports the bill, said his spokeswoman Kim Haberlin.”
Where can I go so that someone will count my vote too?