December 12, 2007
A Simple Proposal
I have not paid close attention to the Presidential race so far. It's far too early. However, I know the general outlines of what people will complain about - too much money will be spent, the campaign will go on far too long, too many people will be bothered by pollsters and candidates alike, and too many states will bypassed because they "aren't in play". I have a rather simple solution. I propose that in return for a small renumeration from all the other states, but large enough to eliminate our income tax, presidential elections be held in Missouri alone. We are the Bellwether State after all -- Missouri has voted for the winner of every Presidential race in every election of the past century except one (1956). And in the last half-century, not only have we picked the winner, we were amazingly close to the popular vote.
Think of all the advantages - far less money spent, a much shorter election, nobody outside Missouri disturbed by either the candidates or the media, and nobody has to feel like they've been unfairly ignored by the candidates (ignored yes, unfairly, no). All this and the same outcomes! What's not to like about it?
Posted by Kevin Murphy at December 12, 2007 11:56 AM | National PoliticsIt's too big a sacrifice to ask of the Show Me State.
Posted by: Sean Murphy at December 12, 2007 11:23 PM