The Limits of Corruption

Mark Evanier links to this article by Timothy Noah that argues for the abolition of the Electoral College. This brought back to mind one argument against abolishing the Electoral College that I've not seen made elsewhere, so I'll make it now.

The Electoral College limits the impact of localized vote fraud.

Once you have illegally manufactured enough votes to win a state, there is currently no great advantage in manufacturing more votes. It runs up the popular vote total -- which is nice -- but it doesn't have any further impact on the election. It also provides a disincentive to illegally manufacture votes for a candidate in a state that he would win anyway like, say, Illinois.

But if you eliminate the Electoral College, then every illegal vote counts.

And I live next door to the city of Chicago.

Or as Joe Kennedy reputedly told his son, John, "I'm not buying one damn vote more than necessary -- I'm not paying for a landslide!"

The Limits of Corruption

Mark Evanier links to this article by Timothy Noah that argues for the abolition of the Electoral College. This brought back to mind one argument against abolishing the Electoral College that I've not seen made elsewhere, so I'll make it now.

The Electoral College limits the impact of localized vote fraud.

Once you have illegally manufactured enough votes to win a state, there is currently no great advantage in manufacturing more votes. It runs up the popular vote total -- which is nice -- but it doesn't have any further impact on the election. It also provides a disincentive to illegally manufacture votes for a candidate in a state that he would win anyway like, say, Illinois.

But if you eliminate the Electoral College, then every illegal vote counts.

And I live next door to the city of Chicago.

Or as Joe Kennedy reputedly told his son, John, "I'm not buying one damn vote more than necessary -- I'm not paying for a landslide!"

New Hotel! What Do We Do?

If you're planning to come to WindyCon, please remember the following:

1) The convention is no longer at the Hyatt Woodfield in Schaumburg.
2) It's not at the Radisson O'Hare in Rosemont either.
3) Because the Radisson is now a Wyndham.
4) Yes, they changed the signage outdoors.
5) Mannheim Rd. North of Higgins, South of Touhy, North of I-90.
6) There's a comics convention at the Ramada O'Hare, South of I-90. That's not us.

Thank you for observing all safety precautions.

New Hotel! What Do We Do?

If you're planning to come to WindyCon, please remember the following:

1) The convention is no longer at the Hyatt Woodfield in Schaumburg.
2) It's not at the Radisson O'Hare in Rosemont either.
3) Because the Radisson is now a Wyndham.
4) Yes, they changed the signage outdoors.
5) Mannheim Rd. North of Higgins, South of Touhy, North of I-90.
6) There's a comics convention at the Ramada O'Hare, South of I-90. That's not us.

Thank you for observing all safety precautions.

Timing is Everything

WindyCon is my third convention (and third Friday off) in four weeks. Code freeze for the current release is (officially) November 18th, but they want everything completed by Monday.

Everything may well be completed by Monday. But I have a feeling that there are folks who would be happier if I worked all weekend whether my part of the project is complete or not.

Timing is Everything

WindyCon is my third convention (and third Friday off) in four weeks. Code freeze for the current release is (officially) November 18th, but they want everything completed by Monday.

Everything may well be completed by Monday. But I have a feeling that there are folks who would be happier if I worked all weekend whether my part of the project is complete or not.