A Bug Which Bugs  

There are bugs which move and bugs which do not.  This is about a bug which does not move, but bugs me, nevertheless:  the electoral college.  How about you?  

The following was e-mailed on August 7, 2008.  The bill made it to the governor’s desk and was vetoed.  Is it not odd that the governor would do that, in light of the quote attributed to him above?  

Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger  

Dear Governor:  

Please advocate for, then sign, SB 37, an agreement among the states to elect the president using the national popular vote.  

I remember when, during a "Sixty Minutes" interview several years ago, the reporter asked Russian President Vladimir Putin about the weakness of democracy in his country, to which he rejoined by pointing to the 2000 US election.  

There are a number of antidemocratic features to our democracy. Yesterday there was a post online about America needing to take moral leadership around the world. One way would be to remove the antidemocratic features, beginning with SB 37.  

Make history. Thank you.  

Sincerely,
Van Ajemian
2112 West Whittier Blvd., Suite 203
Montebello, CA 90640-4056

If you answer the multiple-choice questions below and e-mail to lessonanswers@mymontebello.com with “Lesson answers” in the subject field, you will be credited toward a “certificate of recognition in community affairs” to be awarded in 2008 by a local nonprofit organization.  

1. What was SB 37?  (a) Eliminate the electoral college.  (b) Let non-citizens vote.

2. Who criticized American democracy?  (a) Barack Obama.  (b) Vladimir Putin.

December 11, 2008