Back to Politics, or "It's Not Your Grandfather's Century"

OK, so that World Series thing didn't work out so well for our Tigers.  We all take a rest for the winter, and next spring we'll be ready to once again proclaim, "Bless You, Boys."

It's just a few days now till the big election of our next president.  I've already cast my vote; you see, I've achieved that special status in life where I'm able to vote early (or absentee) simply by virtue of my age.  In fact they said I'll automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot for every election from now on.  Of course, I'm not disabled in any major way; I could easily go to the polls next Tuesday and wait in line like normal people, but why should I?  

That brings up another beef I have with our election system:  In this great country that prides itself on free elections and the privilege of every citizen to cast a vote, why do we make voting so difficult?  Why do we hold our elections on a Tuesday?  (Find out here.)  That gives most working people about an hour before work and 2 hours after work to make it to their precincts to, again, stand in line to vote.  Other modern nations hold elections on the weekend, when most voters are generally available to vote.  I understand that some states do allow early voting.  I'm not sure how this works, but early voting in some places began this week.  That makes a lot of sense.  I suggest we open the polls for 4 days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  That should give everyone a good opportunity to vote while avoiding long lines at any one time.  And I truly expect long lines this time here in Michigan because in addition to being a major election, we have numerous proposals on the ballot that many will read through for the first time while in the voting booth.

And why hold these elections in November, when much of the nation could be hindered by early winter weather?  This goes along with holding the president's inauguration in January, sometimes in freezing weather on the Capitol steps.  Here's an idea:  Let's vote in mid-September after everyone is back from summer vacations, install the new president in mid-October and the new congress November 1st. This would eliminate a lengthy lame-duck season, take advantage of nicer weather conditions and have officials in place before the new year begins.  

Maybe our election process is enshrined in the Constitution (I haven't checked), but I'll repeat myself once again: We don't live in the 18th century anymore!  Don't even ask about the electoral college process; I'll save that tirade for another time, but it relates to my recent post about our being a nation rather than a collection of independent states, and the fact that WE DON'T LIVE IN THE 18TH CENTURY ANYMORE!

That's it for now.  Please be sure to vote, even if it means standing in a long line.  While you're there, think about the process and how it might be improved.  Feel free to post your thoughts here.  Thanks for reading.

And then there's the whole primary process . . . .