Democracy 101

Gonz

Gonz

molṑn labé
Staff member
stolen from FoxNews...sometimes a reminder helps

Democracy in Motion

Every four years, a president is elected in the United States. Every two years, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate is elected.

States have their own schedules, but many of them plan their statewide and municipal elections on the same day as federal elections.

In 2004, in addition to the presidential election, voters will select 34 senators, 435 House members and 11 governors.

Senate

The current balance in the Senate is 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats and one Independent who generally votes with Democrats. In 2004, 15 Republican and 19 Democratic seats will be contested.

House of Representatives

The current balance in the House is 229 Republicans, 205 Democrats, and one Independent who aligns with Democrats.

Governors

Currently, Republican governors hold 27 seats and Democrats hold 23 seats. Three states -- Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi -- will elect their governors in 2003. Democrats hold two of those seats and Republicans have one.

Among the governors up for election in 2004, five are Republicans and six are Democrats. States electing governors in 2004 are Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

Electoral College

The U.S. Constitution dictates that the president will be chosen by a majority of the electoral college. The electoral college consists of 538 electors, one for each of 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 senators and three for the District of Columbia. Each state's allotment of electors is equal to the number of House members to which it is entitled plus two senators. The president-elect must earn at least 270 electoral votes.

Most states do not bind their electors to vote the way the state's popular vote suggests, but rarely has an elector voted against the majority, particulary as they are usually elected to their positions by the political parties.
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so thats how our voting system is compeletly? thanks I was not aware as to how it worked 100%. just some of the things that I was taught and to vote.
 
See why I rail about public education. We knew all that in the 6th grade & that was only 25 years ago.
 
Yeah, but back then it was important and kids were raised to believe that their vote would actually go to someone who gave a damn about anything other than their own selfish obsessions and taking the country for a ride.
 
Well, it's okay, Dubya will be sure to keep Kerry out of the White House & we'll have someone who gives a damn & won't take the country for a ride.
 
Gonz said:
See why I rail about public education. We knew all that in the 6th grade & that was only 25 years ago.
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shit they didnt even say anytihng about this til i was in 10th grade
 
Gonz said:
See why I rail about public education. We knew all that in the 6th grade & that was only 25 years ago.
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So did we, but it's Republic 101. Democracy is something else. The education system in America today is a joke (and not the kind to make you laugh).
 
This describes our democratic process of voting and when we vote.

Our system is governed as a Republic.
 
Gonz said:
This describes our democratic process of voting and when we vote.

Our system is governed as a Republic.
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I could argue whether it's a democratic process, but I know that's what they call it. :D
 
You make it sound as though you wouldn't want to live in democratically controlled chaos.
 
didnt you once say democracy is anarchy? if so I dont think anyone really wants to live in it totally but it would certianly be the most free society
 
offices could be bought more easily and people in office can use their power to get what they want. and money can get too far but I am sure it could be if thye were killing people who spoke against them
 
freako104 said:
but it would certianly be the most free society
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It would actualy be one of the least free. Control by the masses is no better than control by the one. Which leads my answer to chcr to be yes, barely.
 
To clear things up for those who might not know the difference: a democracy has everyone voting on everything every time. The ancient Greeks pioneered this. Try doing that with everyone spread out among 13 colonies (well, every land-owning white man, but hey, this was 1789), let alone everyone over 18 spread out over the fourth-largest land area in the whole world. This is why we elect people to represent us. It's a hell of a lot easier to assemble 535 people in Washington than it would be to cram in 150 million to decide on every law. That's the reason why we're a republic.
 
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