I understand this is a sports blog and I'm a so-called "sports guy", but on a day like Election Day, I'm giving my two-cents.

Although I don't usually dig sports people talking politics and vice-versa, I would have you know I'm actually a Political Science Major - not that it means anything, but take it for what it's worth.

Now, on to the election.

I feel bad for all those Americans who waited for hours in long line-ups with the false belief that their vote could actually help change the world. Essentially, their vote means next to nothing. VOTING TODAY MEANS JACK-SQUAT for most Americans!!!!

I'm not trying to be Johnny-pessimist here, but the way the Electoral College is set up does not represent a true democratic system. If democracy means 1-person, 1-vote, then fine, keep the system as is. It's true, ALMOST every person does get a vote (cough,cough), and if that's democracy, so be it. But to say each vote garners change and every vote counts is a complete falsehood!

The Electoral College is set up to give different states more of a say than others. It's a system that matters more where you are then who you vote for. It's a system that is narrow-minded and serves to promote the self-serving interests of the Republicans and Democrats. In the current system, a majority of the vote may go to one candidate, but the other may be the President-elect. In this sham of a system, Ohio, Colorado and Florida count - nowhere else does.

It's all about playing politics: which states matter - which don't, which votes count - which don't. The system is completely flawed. Neither candidate throughout the entire campaign talked about electoral reform, and that is a shame. The reason it's ignored is so the powers at be can stay in power, while reforms like Nader and other's before him waver in obscurity.

Until Proportional Representation is put in place, not only in the US but also here in Canada, a true democracy cannot be realized.

So the media outlets might be telling you stories about long line-ups, problems with voter registration, and in the future, maybe about hanging chads. But it's a shame that their electoral system isn't put under the micro-scope. Until it is, true change won't happen.

gw
gareth.wheeler@suntv.canoe.ca

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