interesting conversation to be under Quilting Frame Conversions!"
ha

Lynn

Thanks for the interesting and informative links Nancy and FabricWhisperer. Julie

Thank you all for your replies. I find your system of government very interesting. I was going to if you actually vote for the President and Vice President but FW has answered that query. You have all been very generous with your time and very informative, love to learn new things
Jenny in Oz

FabricWhisperer wrote:
Gerrymandering and gentrification is the basis of much of the dismay over the electoral college. Some argue that this is the primary cause of us having red states and blue states. This is probably not what our founding fathers' intended, but remember at that time women and African Americans did not have the right to vote.

Here's and interesting article on gentrification:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2003/flagwars/special_gentrification.html

Here's the definition of gerrymander:

To divide a voting area so as to give one political party a majority in as many districts as possible or weaken the voting strength of an ethnic or racial group, an urban population, etc.

A redistricting of voting areas to the advantage of one party or the disadvantage of a group, region, etc. Such a district is often odd-shaped and fails the test of geographic compactness.

So, what does this have to do with quilting? When viewing our states by voting areas, they look more appliqued than pieced!

Nancy

There are many folks in the US who do not believe that their votes counts. Sometimes the one who has the most popular vote does not win...we have an electorial college. The framers of the Constitution thought the popular vote was too reckless. So we actually vote for 'electors' then who cast their vote for President and Vice President. Depending on the state ballot...you will know your electors. Those electors do not have to use the popular vote to case their vote.
Each state is assigned a specific number of electors based on the states population. This allows smallers(lower population) states to have a 'voice' in the election.
Here is a better article on how it works... http://www.howstuffworks.com/electoral-college.htm

There has been grumbling about ending the electorial college...but it is part of the Constitution Article II section I.

As for women in the selective service...women do not have to register. However, DoD can register women if needed.

I believe if one doesn't vote...one cannot complain...
And for women: my grandmother remembered when she gained the right to vote. She NEVER missed an opportunity...because she remembered when she was not allowed to vote.

FW

I was talking to my hubby about the draft registration, and he said he was just asked for his at work for something and luckily he was able to find it on the internet. Kind of weird when he is still in the Navy. Cheryl

According to the 2000 census records the reasons people gave on why they did not vote was they were too busy or had conflicting work or school schedules. Pretty sad excuse.

I have been doing a little research and 42% may be a little low. According to infoplease.com "Voting age population (Census Bureau Population Survey for Nov. 2000): 205,815,000.
Percentage of voting age population casting a vote for president: 51.3%). 51% is better than 42% but still way to low.

Only male citizens have to register and before they can be drafted Congress would have to pass legislation which revises the Military Selective Service Act and the president would have to sign it.

Thank you all so much you have greatly increased my knowledge on this topic. I love these round the quilting frame conversations. 42% of the population voting is a phenomenally small amount isn't it. Has anyone ever done a survey to see if they could find out why so few vote. I have got this right about the draft, when your children go to register to vote they have to register for the draft if so is it both genders and does this mean that they could be called up in to the army, navy, air force to fight in a war.
Jenny in Oz

Wish we did too... that FORCES them to work together & find the middle ground. Our 2-party system seems to force them to the fringes

Florence
in Battleground State VA

last time we were a battleground was in the Civil War...

I didn't even think of the draft registration. I come from an all girl house, and DH was already in the navy. Thanks for the heads up.
Cheryl

Thanks for the info regarding draft registration. And can I say, I'm proud of my grandson. Even though he won't be 18 until Oct. 26, he said he has already registered to vote. There was a registration drive at school and anyone who would be eighteen before the election, could register and be able to vote in the coming election. He's on the ball.

Any young man can register for the Selective Service ON-LINE http://www.sss.gov/Default.htm

There are penalites for not registering...such as not being to able to qualify for student loans, grants, Pell grants, college work study, etc. Also to work at a Federal Job and the US Postal Service one is required to show proof of registration.

While we have an all volunteer military and no draft, all men between the ages of 18-25 are required to register.

In order for my son to do work study at college...he has to present his proof of registration.

FW

gran5-Yes he IS required to register with selective service when he turns 18.

In Norway we get our voting card automaticly when we turn 18;) We dont have to apply for anything, it our right as citizens of Norway. Between 70-80 % of all people over 18 are likely to vote in Norway;)
And, we have a pluralistic political system....means we have 11 different parties to vote for.

Wich you the best of luck on election day.and remember you are not only voting for yourself but the entire world :shock: