From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

[frugal-one]

Received email today...

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

One year ago, a landmark study led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology made headlines around the world.

Scientists completed the most rigorous population assessment of North American birds in history and found evidence of stunning declines: Since 1970, we’ve lost nearly one-third of our birds.

As if that weren’t enough, more than 100 environmental rules have been rolled back in the last four years, weakening protections for the birds we love. The Cornell Lab must step forward with important data to inform conservation policy, from federal agencies down to city halls.

Sadly, our drinking water is affected by some of these rollbacks too!

[catherine]

This is a really good list (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html) of the 100 rollbacks, showing whether they have been passed or are in progress. It's terrible.

[happystuff]

This is so so sad, mainly because it is totally preventable!

[Jane v2.0]

Bureaus have been gutted, crony appointees are running everything, both the CIA and the FBI are warning of Russian involvement in our election, the CDC has been muzzled, and Trump is actively sabotaging COVID prevention. Just to start.

[Teacher Terry]

I sure hope this is over in 6 weeks.

[frugal-one]

The Trump campaign is weighing a postelection strategy that would bypass the results in key swing states by installing electors who would vote for the president in the Electoral College even if he loses, The Atlantic reported.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-biden-electoral-college-electors-plan-loyalists-swing-states-2020-9

[happystuff]

The Trump campaign is weighing a postelection strategy that would bypass the results in key swing states by installing electors who would vote for the president in the Electoral College even if he loses, The Atlantic reported.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-biden-electoral-college-electors-plan-loyalists-swing-states-2020-9

So the possibility exists that for the 2nd time, that Trump could become president against the actual voting of the MAJORITY of the people. It will be interesting to see if the majority vote wins out - one way or another. Whatever happened to "for the people by the people"?

[Alan]

So the possibility exists that for the 2nd time, that Trump could become president against the actual voting of the MAJORITY of the people. It will be interesting to see if the majority vote wins out - one way or another. Whatever happened to "for the people by the people"?Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution states "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government." The nature of the Republic our founders created saw "the people" as citizens of their respective states, such as Virginians or Marylanders, and those states being clients of the Federal Government. Therefore, the idea of popular vote in Federal matters was irrelevant, but the States share of electoral votes was part of that 'Republican form of government' guarantee.
At least that's how I understand it.

[frugal-one]

Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution states "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government." The nature of the Republic our founders created saw "the people" as citizens of their respective states, such as Virginians or Marylanders, and those states being clients of the Federal Government. Therefore, the idea of popular vote in Federal matters was irrelevant, but the States share of electoral votes was part of that 'Republican form of government' guarantee.
At least that's how I understand it.

Time to get rid of the electoral vote if this is the case.

https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/

[Alan]

Time to get rid of the electoral vote if this is the case.


Why?

I often think that people whose ego demands a direct voice to the Federal government without the burden of state and local middle-men (Representatives) were the basis of Benjamin Franklin's retort when asked what type of government they'd created. He said "A Republic, if we can keep it."

[Tammy]

Agreed. Democracies are notoriously susceptible to horrendous majority decisions. Republics are supposed to protect us from that. At least in theory.

[ApatheticNoMore]

What's so much better about being subjected to horrendous minority decisions? It seems significantly worse.

[Teacher Terry]

Trump is trying to figure out how to steal the election which is really no surprise given his past. I hope I live long enough to see the popular vote decide the presidency.

[frugal-one]

Why?

I often think that people whose ego demands a direct voice to the Federal government without the burden of state and local middle-men (Representatives) were the basis of Benjamin Franklin's retort when asked what type of government they'd created. He said "A Republic, if we can keep it."

https://archive3.fairvote.org/reforms/national-popular-vote/the-electoral-college/problems-with-the-electoral-college/

[Tammy]

For 225 years or so we have followed the plan of electing our representatives to decide for us. If we want to change that to a direct democracy, we could give it a whirl.

We do need to remind ourselves though that our republic and our electoral college is our historical and current system. Both Bush #2 and Trump won the electoral college. It might frustrate us to know they both lost the popular vote, but they did win the elections in our current system.

I did not support either one. I was mad they won. But our system was followed ... we shouldn’t act like it wasn’t followed, as we are not set up to be a direct democracy.

[frugal-one]

Obviously it is time for change.


https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/its-time-to-abolish-the-electoral-college/

This is interesting too.

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/22/705627996/abolishing-the-electoral-college-would-be-more-complicated-than-it-may-seem

[Alan]

https://archive3.fairvote.org/reforms/national-popular-vote/the-electoral-college/problems-with-the-electoral-college/


Obviously it is time for change.


https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/its-time-to-abolish-the-electoral-college/

This is interesting too.

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/22/705627996/abolishing-the-electoral-college-would-be-more-complicated-than-it-may-seem
I was curious about what you thought about electoral college vs popular vote, but not enough to follow a series of random links.

Rather than post "Obviously it is time for change" followed by a link to someone else's thoughts I'd like to hear why you think it's so obvious.

[Rogar]

I would imagine a “bird lives matter” t-shirt would not meet universal approval.

[frugal-one]

I was curious about what you thought about electoral college vs popular vote, but not enough to follow a series of random links.

Rather than post "Obviously it is time for change" followed by a link to someone else's thoughts I'd like to hear why you think it's so obvious.

I am not going to repeat the LIST of reasons. The are there in black and white,

[frugal-one]

I would imagine a “bird lives matter” t-shirt would not meet universal approval.

It does with me!

They are a harbinger.

[Alan]

I am not going to repeat the LIST of reasons. The are there in black and white,
There are other lists.
https://www.thoughtco.com/why-keep-the-electoral-college-3322050

http://www.sciencebuzz.org/topics/electoral-college-math/arguments-in-favor

https://electoralvotemap.com/5-reawsons-to-keep-the-electoral-college/

I can provide a few hundred additional if you're interested, and then maybe we could discuss it after you've read them. ;)

[frugal-one]

I am not going to discuss. I have studied and taken courses.... no need to look any further and you are not going to change my mind. As I am sure, I will not change yours.