The Electoral College or Why Your Vote Matters (a little)

When Americans go to the polls in November, it's pretty exciting.  We get to choose who is going to be our next president!  Well, hold on.  That's true, but it's not.

We do vote for the candidate and his running mate (who will be the vice-president), but we are actually telling our state's electors who we want them to vote for.

The video explains the Electoral College rather well.






Even after one understands what the Electoral College is, a question remains.  Why do we use it?

Opponents of the Electoral College (or those against it), say that with the electoral college:

• During campaigning, candidates are able to ignore entire states
• Votes of people in some states are worth more than those of other states
• Third party candidates are never able to win entire states, so it discourages them running at all 

And they are right about all three things.  They believe that we should go by the popular vote.  1 person = 1 vote.  So why don't we use that system?

Why we use the Electoral College:

• By using the Electoral College, candidates have to appeal to agricultural issues, not just urban issues.  
• If the election was based on popular vote, candidates could appeal to voters in cities and be done.  
• With the # of Representatives + # of Senators system, several states whose economy depends on farming and ranching have a say.  
• It is important that all the needs of the country are addressed, not just those of the majority.
• It makes a recount easier.  
• If it looks like shenanigans are taking place, then the votes of a state may be recounted.  This is expensive.  Millions of dollars expensive.  
• It is sill much cheaper , and less time consuming, than recounting the entire country!
• The results make the winner look like he had a commanding lead.  
• Take the 2008 election.  President barak Obama won with 52.9 percent of the vote, but using the Electoral College helped.  He had 365 Electoral College Votes compared to McCain's 173. 

It is possible that there is a compromise.  

A couple sites discuss options: 

• Fairvote.org
• Washington Post

Currently, I'm a fan of the vote by district plan.  Maine and Nebraska do that today.  It addresses the issues with the Electoral College, yet makes candidates focus on more than just urban populations, and makes recounts easier still.  But I could be convinced of something else

Sources:
http://www.commoncraft.com/video-explaining-us-election-process as found on http://www.freetech4teachers.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008
http://archive.fairvote.org/e_college/reform.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10803-2004Oct29.html

Images: 
http://fermentation.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c64d253ef013486908a9c970c-800wi
http://evoinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/800px-US_Electoral_College_Map_2008.svg_.png

The Cabinet

Our president is a busy guy.  He needs "wicked smaht" people to help him.  Some of those people are in his cabinet.  The President's Cabinet helps advise the president on matters of importance. 

There are only a few members that you are responsible for knowing, and to help you remember them, we have devised hand motions!

Hillary Clinton: Secretary of State
 The Secretary of State is our country's face to the outside world.  She works on foreign relations, making sure that US interests are seen to.  She also interprets our treaties and works on negotiations.  This is the most important position in the cabinet.  She has a lot of work on her shoulders.   In fact, she has a "Ton" of work to do.  Put your hands on your shoulders and act like you are trying to support a ton of weight on them.  It's weighing you down!  Hillary Clin-TON!  Secretary of State!



Timothy Geithner: Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury is always an important position, but during hard economic times, it is even more important.  They manage the country's finances and promote economic growth and stability. He helps determine how much currency should be created, what the interest rates should be, etc. To meet its mission, the department began to advise the president on economic and financial issues. In short, the Secretary of the Treasury deals with money matters.  His name kind of sounds like "Get More." With your palm facing up, rub your thumb against your fingers like you're discussing money.  Timothy Geithner.

Leon Panetta: Secretary of the Defense
The Secretary of Defense is a really important cabinet position as well.  His main duties are to plan, develop and carry out the policies that concern the military affairs and national security of the United States. His job is to direct the focus of the military and make sure they have the funding they need.  Have you heard the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword"?  Well, we have the Pen(etta) and the sword!  Pretend you are writing and then slash through the air diagonally like you have a sword.  Leon Panetta!  Secretary of Defense!




Janet Napolitano: Secretary of Homeland Security
After 9/11, a new department was created: the Department of Homeland Security.  The Secretary oversees efforts to prevent future terrorist attacks in the U.S., reduce our vulnerability to attacks and help recover from any attacks that occur.  We definitely want to feel safe in our home and don't want her napping on the job!  Put your hands together and put them to the right side of your face and lean your head against them like a pillow.  Janet NAP-olitano!

Eric Holder: Secretary of Justice (or Attorney General)
The Secretary of Justice is the chief law enforcement officer in government, whether it be on the federal, state or local level. He acts as the country's representative in legal matters and as the lead lawyer for his government.  Clasp your wrist with one hand like it's a handcuff.  Eric HOLD-er!

And that's it!

Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/about_6500371_job-description-secretary-defense.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_6822143_job-description-secretary-homeland-security_.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6326617_u_s_-treasury-secretary-duties.html