Propagation: Seeds & scions (3)

3 ideas sprouting »

1. Well, here’s what happened. I was looking for people, who might be concerned about Constitution Day. So, that’s how I stumbled upon your log.

   Here’s what I’ve been sending out.

   Likely enough, President George W Bush is completely oblivious to his accomplishment. So (?) what! He’s cleared the way for Constitution Day. Eventually, it’ll be a federal holiday, and Americans will celebrate it in the way they now celebrate Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. And that’s what matters.

   To go along with Constitution Day as a national holiday, we should have a Pledge for Constitutional Allegiance.

   Seed planted by A Alexander Stella — 11 December 2005 @ 10:32

2. Here from Make my vote count. I’m by no means an expert on US history, but isn’t sub-division of the larger states a possible solution? *googles*

   I thought I’d read something about Texas:
   Third, New States, of convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and having sufficient population, may hereafter, by the consent of the said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the federal constitution.

   Texas is legally allowed to sud-divide, California has talked about it a few times (I know my Bay Area friends aren’t too impressed with LA area influence, etc), and a few others may be valid targets.

   It’s not an ideal solution, but it would at least be constitutional. Of course, persuading Texas to split itself up may take some effort.

   Overall though, reform needed.

   Seed planted by MatGB — 13 December 2005 @ 18:02

3. Yes, technically we could have large states divide. But, into how many pieces? California is about 66 X the size of Wyoming. The largest:smallest ratio in 1790 was around 12:1. If we want 1:1, then to represent the people of California in the Senate on par with Wyoming, we’d pretty much have to make every county a state! To get to 12:1 we’d need about six Californias. Of course, aside from requiring the approval of the state legislature to break up a state, it would require approval of Congress. Guess what the chances would be of getting the small states to approve such a dilution of their voting power! I would say it would be about as likely as the other way to accomplish the same objective–merging contiguous small states (hard to do with Alaska, but feasible with Wyoming and several of its neighbors). In other words, no chance.

   And then there is one further consideration: I, for one, would oppose any break up of my beloved California! Keeping it whole is something I would elevate as a priority even above getting it fairly represented, as much as I favor the latter goal. I would sooner secede!

   I am really glad you raised this, because I have been meaning to address the issue myself. But I think the bottom line is we’re in a box on fair senate repersentation. And in that box with us is that time bomb you mentioned.

   Keep up the good posting–here and at MMVC!

   Seed planted by MShugart — 13 December 2005 @ 18:59

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