Ever since I was a boy (back in the 1960's when space was exciting) I've wondered what I would say if encountering a non-terrestrial intelligence. I still go with my answer then...
Unfortunately, getting the states to agree to throw their EC votes behind the candidate with the most number of popular votes requires that all 50 states agree and I'm not sure that's ever happened.
What would be a much more practical solution to the EC challenge is to remove the "winner take all" option - EC seats and votes should be distributed according to the plurality the party/candidate received in that state. This simple change would preserve representative constitutional election of the President and force candidates to address the issues of all the states, not just the biggest 5 "winner take all" states.
Unfortunately... this change would have to come from the state level for each state as there is no Federal authority to force such a change, and again, getting all 50 states to agree is unlikely.
Changing the constitution to require representational distribution in the EC is also unlikely as it would require a Constitutional Convention, and that would mean the WHOLE constitution would be examined and could be rewritten - a very dangerous idea.
So... what are the options going forward? My suggestion would be to encourage everyone to vote. Not force, not require, just encourage. The more people who vote of their own free will, the less likely it is that a bad choice would be made.
But then... that assumes there are good candidates to choose from... and fixing THAT problem is a whole other question that would not be relevent to the current topic.
Why would you want to pay to sit in low-earth orbit for (any) period of time?
Ok... if you can get to orbit in a reusable ship, you can get anywhere on Earth in under an hour flying time. Beats your desired "3 hours to Tokyo" request. And you can also refuel and go to the Moon.
The trick is to demonstrate reliable, reusable, reasonably priced space transportation. What you do with it is up to you.
Me? I'd like to help build the first Lunar Settlement... but then I've known I'm "different" for a looooong time. 8-)
Slashdot Mirror
Ever since I was a boy (back in the 1960's when space was exciting) I've wondered what I would say if encountering a non-terrestrial intelligence. I still go with my answer then ...
"How do you finance your space program??"
--
"I gotta get off this rock!"
Unfortunately, getting the states to agree to throw their EC votes behind the candidate with the most number of popular votes requires that all 50 states agree and I'm not sure that's ever happened.
... this change would have to come from the state level for each state as there is no Federal authority to force such a change, and again, getting all 50 states to agree is unlikely.
... what are the options going forward? My suggestion would be to encourage everyone to vote. Not force, not require, just encourage. The more people who vote of their own free will, the less likely it is that a bad choice would be made.
... that assumes there are good candidates to choose from ... and fixing THAT problem is a whole other question that would not be relevent to the current topic.
What would be a much more practical solution to the EC challenge is to remove the "winner take all" option - EC seats and votes should be distributed according to the plurality the party/candidate received in that state. This simple change would preserve representative constitutional election of the President and force candidates to address the issues of all the states, not just the biggest 5 "winner take all" states.
Unfortunately
Changing the constitution to require representational distribution in the EC is also unlikely as it would require a Constitutional Convention, and that would mean the WHOLE constitution would be examined and could be rewritten - a very dangerous idea.
So
But then
Why would you want to pay to sit in low-earth orbit for (any) period of time?
... if you can get to orbit in a reusable ship, you can get anywhere on Earth in under an hour flying time. Beats your desired "3 hours to Tokyo" request. And you can also refuel and go to the Moon.
... but then I've known I'm "different" for a looooong time. 8-)
Ok
The trick is to demonstrate reliable, reusable, reasonably priced space transportation. What you do with it is up to you.
Me? I'd like to help build the first Lunar Settlement