Seattle Weekly columnist Geov Parrish recently complained about the diminishing importance of citizen voters in our country's presidential elections. He argued that presidential candidates from both parties devote little attention to states with late primaries...I completely agree. Although I find the fact that February 7th is considered late to be rather alarming.
Neither party takes our state seriously, which is particularly insulting because none of my friends feel that we were ever given an opportunity to choose a Democratic candidate. Parrish writes, "Washington is hardly unique. In state after state, the Democratic nomination boils down to a media-anointed "favorite" -- usually Dean -- who will either gain or lose "momentum" depending on his showing. Only a handful of states -- Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California -- will have a chance to bestow such momentum before the nomination is a fait accompli."
Now, candidates from both parties are competing for big donor dollars, beyond the reach of student constituents who only have a few bucks to spare. Is this representative government? As Parrish says, ditch the Electoral College and change laws to give alternative parties greater power.
I am sick of our two party system because neither group speaks for my views. Bring on a system where the party receives a number of seats based on the percentage of the vote they earn. Bring on candidates who campaign to the people; not to the porked-up interests of a few wealthy donors. Pay attention to small opponents -- did you know Bush is being challenged by 13 other Republicans?
Even though they do not have the political clout and experience, this is supposed to be a government for the people - so give people who run a little air time, even if their names aren't familiar party stalwarts like Bush, Kennedy or Clinton.
Finally, slash the presidential campaign time in half; it is ridiculous to have our general election candidates chosen for us nearly a year before the vote. Until then, no one should be surprised that young people feel disenfranchised.
We are.
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