See what you say; say what you see.

Delegate vs Popular Election Systems

2012-07-07T00:21:00.002-04:00

The experience of the recent NAD election, that was based on a delegate election system, is a learning experience for me. I did some armchair 'net research on the pros and cons of having an election that is based on delegate system versus a popular vote.

Emphasis: I am not arguing or agreeing on anything, but instead just sharing knowledge, and I believe maybe the more we learn, the better we can shape NAD to what we want.

So, I look at our good and supposedly-great country as a model, since we use electoral college system, which is just like delegate system, to select our presidents.

One of main reasons our country founders did not choose popular vote system for our president elections were because they did not trust democracy. Irony!

They believed that popular vote can defeat the true purpose of electing the BEST president because the people can skew voter counts from those few but larger states simply to gain the majority easily, preventing other smaller states from choosing the president that they believed in. For example, states like California and Texas (my assumption) alone could probably have majority of required votes over many smaller states like Delaware, etc., combined so democracy such that everyone has equal access to politics are pretty much blown out of the water.

So the country founders established electoral college with fixed number of electors (aka delegates), so that the popular vote can vote only for their electors who WERE SUPPOSED TO CAST THEIR VOTES (key point emphasized) according to their voters that they represent. There were only 8 electors who "betrayed" their voters and cast their votes on opposing party in the entire US history (If i read this fact correctly in the reference below).

So, going back to NAD, I see many people wanting to change the election system to a popular vote model rather than the current delegate model. I fear this change without having a real analysis.

Instead I believe we should have worked more closely with our state associations, since they are the ones sending your delegates, and even better, work with your delegates directly to ensure that their vote REFLECTS the popular vote in your state.

For example, in Indiana, the Indiana Association of the Deaf set up a survey to poll Indiana community on our choices, and we know our delegates took that information and voted, on our behalf, at the NAD convention. Although we lost our candidate we chose, we believed we did our duty and our delegates voted whom we wished.

Ask yourselves, have you, from other states that sent the remaining 126 delegates (128 total delegates, right?), worked with your delegates directly, and know exactly how they voted at the NAD convention, etc.?

My apologies for making this so long, but hopefully you can just skip this and move on to whatever strikes your fancy without bashing this dialogue baselessly.

Later...

References:
http://www.factcheck.org/2008/02/the-reason-for-the-electoral-college/
http://uselectionatlas.org/INFORMATION/INFORMATION/electcollege_procon.php

HB1367: Bill Status as of 2-27-12

2012-02-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

Brief second reading done in the Senate Chambers.

HB1367: Bill Status as of 2/23/2012

2012-02-23T12:57:00.001-05:00

This vlog covers status updates as of Feb 23, 2012 as well as detailed explanation of each new amendments that were included in the bill when the Senate Appropriations Committee passed on.

HB1367: Bill Status as of 2/16/12

2012-02-16T12:39:00.001-05:00

This vlog gives you a debrief of what happened at the Statehouse Senate Chambers when HB1367 was heard by the Senate Appropriations committee.

Note: Bill must be voted out of committee and returned to the Senate floor for second reading, which can still be further amended. Then the bill will need to be back on the floor for third reading which it gets voted. All bills must be done with third reading by Senate's deadline on February 29th. So there is only 9 business days left between today and February 29th.

HB1367: Bill status as of 2/9/12

2012-02-09T19:13:00.000-05:00

HB1367: Call for interpreters

2012-02-04T10:23:00.000-05:00

To level the playing field, we need our ASL messages, arguments, and dialogues with our legislators who use English, we struggle with having interpreters help. This vlog discusses the issue.

If you can help, contact:

Kim Bianco-Majeri - PTCO President isdptco@yahoo.com or indeafedcoalition@yahoo.com

Aileen Vasquez - IAD President president@iadhoosers.org

HB1367: Bill status as of 2/2/12

2012-02-04T10:22:00.001-05:00

Explains the status of the bill HB1367 as of February 2, 2012

HB1367: What should I say to my legislator?

2012-02-04T10:22:00.000-05:00

For those of you who want our updated talking points when you speak to your legislator(s) in person, via call, or via email.

HB1367: The best way to reach your legislator

2012-02-04T10:21:00.001-05:00

What would be the best way to reach your legislator?

HB1367: It aint over until the fat lady SIGNS!

2012-02-04T10:21:00.000-05:00

HB1367 ED Committee Vote Update

2012-02-04T10:20:00.001-05:00

The House Education Committee has called HB1367 to the table for amends and vote on January 27th at 8:30 in the house chambers. This vlog gives you background and update about that portion.

HB1367 House Education Committee Hearing Debrief

2012-02-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

A debrief explaining what occured during the House Education Committee hearing on HB1367 that took place on Wednesday January 25 at 8:30.

Its B-Day! HB1367 is on the agenda to be heard!

2012-02-04T10:18:00.001-05:00

The House's Education Committee decided today to put HB1367 on the calendar to be heard on January 25th at 8:30am. It is now CRITICAL time for you to visit the statehouse and make a difference for all our deaf children of Indiana.

HB1367 Timeline

2012-02-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

This vlog explains the events occured during the time before and up to what led to the birth of HB1367, beginning with the time we struggled with unfair and lack of deaf representation on the school board.

Whats up with HB1367?

2012-02-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

This vlog introduces viewers to HB1367, explaining what it is, where it is in the legislative process, and some reasons why we should stop that bill.

Legislative Process Crash Course

2012-02-04T10:15:00.000-05:00

To help viewers better understand the complex process that a typical bill goes through the legislation.

Gina's Poker Run

2008-05-04T21:30:00.001-04:00

The Hoosier Deaf Bikers hosted its 4th annual Poker Run today. Jay Krieger narrates the events.

Gina Coleman & Motorcycle Safety

2008-04-08T10:33:00.003-04:00

VIDEO TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE

Jay Krieger made this vLog in dedication to our fellow biker Gina Coleman who departed us on April 6th. Jay covers some motorcycle safety topics. Jay hopes that bikers out there learn (or be reminded of) these lessons that could save your lives.

Gina Coleman
April 6, 2008

Ride in Peace!

Y! Live Explained!

2008-02-16T09:45:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Tayler for discovering Y! Live and sharing it with the DeafRead community. Over 100 of us scrambled into his Channel (room) last night and had a great time. Using it for our first time, there are many comments and suggestions made by our dear readers that Jay Krieger thought he could explain, so Jay self-volunteered and explained some things in this vLog.

Philematology - Science of Kissing

2008-02-14T20:31:00.001-05:00

In the spirit of Valentine Day, Jay Krieger discusses the science of love and kissing. The information Jay discusses and the photographs shown came off the Internet.

Need Strategic Plan? Use AGBADs!

2008-02-09T09:40:00.001-05:00

Jay Krieger explains that AGBAD's 5 year strategic plan is a perfect model you can use for your organization -- after replacing certain words that Jay points out.

AGBAD's 5-Year Strategic Plan

Laurent Clerc: Powerful Statement

2008-02-08T19:12:00.000-05:00

Jay Krieger found another quite powerful statement that goes well with George Veditz' famous and powerful statement. Jay attempts to "ASL-ize" Clerc's powerful statement which was quite a challenge. Full text of Clerc's statement is shown below. Feel free to share your versions.

Jay came across this statement which was hung in a picture frame in his school's superintendent office. There was no further information on when he wrote this, nor where he did this. Maybe, you, my dear DeafReaders, can search for and find more information.

Full Text:

A day when deaf people and their language are completely accepted -- no, more than that, truly welcomed -- as a part of the family of man, in which god created diversity not to oppress the minority who are different, but to enrich the lives of all.

-- Laurent Clerc

Take a Peek at AgBAD's Tax Returns

2008-02-07T20:17:00.001-05:00

Continuing from Jay Krieger's previous vLog that surprised you on who made financial contributions to AgBAD, Jay wants to show you how to view AgBAD's Tax Returns filed in 2005. There are some interesting huge numbers in there.

However, Jay recommends that you read How to Read the IRS Form 990 & Find Out What It Means".

Then view GuideStar's information about AgBAD

Finally, take a look at AgBAD's Tax Return Form 990

Guess Whos Funding AgBAD?

2008-02-05T19:44:00.001-05:00

After looking around on AgBAD website, Jay Krieger came across their 2005 Annual Report. Looking through it, Jay wants to bring your attention to who contributes to AgBAD cause.

Look at their 2005 Annual Report

Small World: Degrees of Separation

2008-02-04T19:17:00.001-05:00

After reading an article in the Discover Magazine, Jay Krieger discusses "Degrees of Separation" concept. Jay then wonders if the Deaf Community have lower degrees of separation; thus our world appear "smaller".