Electoral Folly

I read this article in the Sun-Times and had to write a Letter to the editor here in Peoria.
http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/pages/editorials/chicagosuntimes.php

Dear Editor,

It has come to my attention that the Illinois assembly has placed on the Governor’s desk a plan to give all 21 of the states electorals to the “National” popular vote winner. They say they are doing this to “…give voters equal influence and keep the candidates from ignoring some states…” I am wondering why giving Electorals to the “National” winner would benefit voters more than a winner-takes-all per state. Is one vote of 300 million better than one vote of 12 million?

Let us look at it this way. Due to some Gerrymandering, we here in 18th District, on the most part, vote for Republicans. We elected Ray LaHood time and time again. Aaron Shock is unopposed to take his place. And overall we normally vote for the Republican nominee for President. But our Electoral for this District is dictated by the State vote total. Does this give the voters here any better influence and keep the state from ignoring our districts needs? NO, as a matter of fact this gives “ALL” the power to the Chicago area. Giving the power to the “National” winner will do the same thing but magnified. Large cities will own the White House. People in large cities have difference priorities then people in middle sized cities and especially farmers. Do you really think that a commoner from downtown Chicago really cares about opening grain markets to India?

If people want to give greater influence to each voter, they will change the winner-take-all of the state’s Electorals to, each district decides who the Electoral votes for. The two Senator Electorals would still be decided by the State’s vote totals. This way you are one of 670,000 (375,000 likeminded voters) that decides your districts choice for President instead of one of 12 million (7 million voters focused on needs of a large city) deciding 21 Electorals for the whole state.

We all need to send Gov. Blagojevich a letter in Springfield, err, CHICAGO to tell him that we need representation in downstate in Presidential Election and we need to scrap this nonsense of “National” winner and change the winner-take-all system to Congressional District Electorals.

Andrew Simmons
Princeville, IL

There are many more reasons that we need to have the Electorals follow the winner of the district vote. One is the limiting the affect of voter fraud and another is giving each voter and equal say in the election of the President.

If you notice who is wanting this plan are states that have large urban city areas. These areas are the ones that benefit most from this plan. I am a firm believer in "States Rights" and I have no problem if New York or New Jersey want to disenfranchises it's rural voters, but for Illinois, I will fight tooth and nail to end this stupidity.