Rotary File - February 12, 2013
President-Elect Casey Cook stepped in for President Pam Ehly to lead today’s meeting.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Patrick Barron, West Chester, PA; Cathy Grawe; Herb Wilson, Iowa City Noon; Amy Nicholson, guest of Herb Wilson; Toby Hyde, Iowa City Noon; Dick Huber, guest of Sue Cronin; Cecilia DeBoeck, Interact; Emma Baxter, Interact; Mary Bontrager, guest of Ann Langenfeld.
Announcements:
Host homes are needed for visitors from Chile who are part of the Group Study Exchange (starting Thurs., Feb. 14).
Can Do! Meeting 7:30 a.m. Wed., Feb. 13 at Brueggers.
Nancy Pacha introduced 2 Interact members, Cecilia DeBoeck and Emma Baxter, who spoke about the Dance for Humanity this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Old Brick. Tickets $10 adults, $5 Students. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.
IC A.M. Rotary Board Meeting – Feb.28
Community Service Awards Eve – Feb. 26. Sign up for the count. OK to bring a bottle of wine to donate to your table. Cost $15. No morning meeting.
Shoes – goal is 3,000 pairs of new children-young adults’ shoes to take to the District Conference. Shoes will be sent to Africa. Anette Norsted, our youth exchange student, will be taking the shoes to the Conference April 12-13.
John Ockenfels mentioned that the grant application process has changed and anyone who wants to apply for a grant should attend a Grant Managers meeting this Saturday morning in West Liberty.
Nancy Pacha is leaving soon for Guatamala as a part of MOST – Miles of Smiles team to provide free clinic for patients with cleft palate.
Program:
Frank Juvan introduced the speaker, Don Racheter, who is a Political Scientist. Mr. Racheter is a Professor of Political Science in Pella and an adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa. He is the founder of the Political Science Association in Iowa and has authored many books. He has a long list of honors, some of which Frank mentioned. His topic was “What is the value of the electoral college?”
Mr. Racheter was a delegate to the Electoral College (EC) in 2004. He explained the history of the college and why it is still relevant.
Historically, the EC was a compromise at the Constitutional Convention. Some members wanted Congress to decide President and Vice President and some wanted a direct election by the people. During those days there was no good way to communicate, so the public didn’t know all the candidates (although they might know their local candidate). Many thought a republic would be better than a direct democracy. The EC is a checks and balances system.
The EC is comprised on one elector equal to the number of each states’ members of Congress – so even the smallest state would have at least 3 electors. Iowa, with 2 Senators and 4 Congressional representatives can have 6 electors. Supposedly, electors vote the way of their state, but, sometimes the elector goes against the will of the states’ voters and votes his/her own way!
In some states electors are selected by the legislature; in some states, by district.
The big objection to the EC is that there can be times when the EC votes for a President and Vice President which is not the same as the popular vote – or as the case in the election of 1800, there was a tie in the EC between Jefferson and Burr. In the end, Jefferson, won, of course. However, because of this, the 12th Amendment was instituted, by which the EC votes separately for President and VP.
Federalism is a unique concept created by the Founding Fathers. Federal and State have separate sovereign areas and some separate laws. Citizens are subject to both fed and state. Also, a person can appeal to both levels of government, starting at the state level and then, if not satisfied, can appeal to Federal level. Issues such as Civil Rights and/or voting rights might be examples of potential appeals.
If we did not have the EC, the largest 15 metropolitan areas could overwhelm the votes of the smaller, less populous areas of the country. Also, the candidates would not have much incentive to campaign in the smaller areas.
If a direct vote, we could have many small parties on the ballot. As it is, the system favors having the two major parties, with smaller parties having candidates and a voice, but not often winning.
There have been at least 4 occasions where there has been a problem in the election. The last of which was in 2000 Bush v. Gore.
The EC was established initially to deal with the problems of communication in 19th century as well as to buttress federalism and as an alternative to direct democracy.
Mr. Racheter pointed out that it is not just the Congress which is now very partisan. “ We The People” are also very partisan in this country right now.