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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
x3 Thread
I think, for federal purposes, it would be good for states to pull apart, because it separates the rural and urban areas into distinct groups such that each group can get its own fair representation. It would complicate the reorganization of the inner government, however.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:30:42 PM by Trivialis
@Inhopeless: Since you'll probably be shocked about why abortion is a big deal here: the US, despite it's odd political window is one of the few nations in the world where abortions at all stages of pregnancy are considered a fundamental right by the (federal) government. That's why the pro-life movement is rather large here. That's why they can only get trigger laws, parental permission, odd regulations on the place, and can only ban specific procedures. Your country has more restrictions on abortion than we do. Also, your neighbor, Ireland, bans it.
Also, that political map chart is complete bullshit, too.
Also, Senators and Representatives are elected because it makes it more democratic. The Senate give equal weight to each state so the government will not be dominated by urban centers (which the House of Representatives is). They also serve for six years, rather than two.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:34:12 PM by Completion
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If we tried to rewrite the constitution, every politician in Washington would try to create there vision of a utopia.
It would get rather messy, and its probably best that we leave it as it is.
Let's not turn this into a discussion over abortion.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:39:02 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016I'm just trying to make sure Europeans don't think we're right-wing everywhere.
@Inhopelessguy: Government at the state level, with exception of Louisiana which is based on the French government, is the same as it's done on the federal level: two elected legislatures, an executive branch, and a judicial branch.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:37:47 PM by Completion
... America is big.
We... do? What the fuck.
Well, I mean, (get your damned bases out of here!) you are, though.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:38:12 PM by Inhopelessguy
Rather than right-wing, I would say US is very picky and insistent on its ideals. And its people kind of suffer from not being able to understand how things work in other countries, since it's located in a place with only two immediate neighbors and one of them has a tight border.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:44:26 PM by Trivialis
Obama can lose every swing state but Ohio and Iowa and still win the election with 271 (the amount needed to win is 270) electoral votes. Colorado, Virginia, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, and Ohio are swing states.
I believe he will win Ohio, N. Hampshire, and Iowa. This will be an extremely close victory, less than the Kerry/Bush election but more than Gore/Bush.
Electoral math is fun.
edited 20th Oct '12 3:57:34 PM by Completion
I think Obama will win Michigan (is this still a swing state?), Iowa, Nevada, Wisconsin, Ohio and New Hampshire
Romney will win Florida and North Carolina
Colorado and Virginia are too close for me to tell.
edited 20th Oct '12 4:07:19 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016Here.
Obama has won every poll in Wisconsin including the margin of error with exception to outliers (which is why it's listed as a toss-up), so give him that. Then you have all the true battlegrounds.
Before the debate, Obama was projected to win all swing-states, which would have resulted in a landslide election of over 330. He fell a lot, but Obama is still projected a (admittedly very slim) win.
edited 20th Oct '12 4:11:38 PM by Completion
I've been looking at this.
It seems like no electoral map has Romney outright winning so I think there's no cause for concern. The gap is smaller but he still has to fight and another strong showing from Obama at the next debate could just remove his previous bounce entirely.
edited 20th Oct '12 4:09:39 PM by Kostya
Obama has already removed half of Romney's gain.
With exception to the national popular vote, which is due to Romney convincing more voters in non-swing-states.
edited 20th Oct '12 4:12:55 PM by Completion

What? Whaaat?
Anyway, a question: How is government done below the state level?