An Act To Join the Interstate Compact on the National Popular Vote

Hello again, the Maine GOP has just informed me that the following bill (LD 1744) An Act To Join the Interstate Compact on the National Popular Vote is on the table for our Legislators to vote on. The Bill's Summary, like all summaries, make this seem innocuous at best.
Summary
This bill proposes to adopt the interstate compact that is the agreement among the states to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote. Under the compact and the bill, the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will win the presidency. Under this bill, all of the state's electoral votes would be awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This bill would take effect only when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes, that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President, which is 270 of 538.

Now, I looked at this Bill and have a bit of a problem with it and those who are advocating for it's passage. Fortunately it is the shortest piece of Legislation I have ever read ( 1 page ) so I was able to go over it a couple of times. Allow me to begin my Rant.

The concept of the Electoral College is much decried by many. I too have spoken against it on occasion. To be fair though my disdain for the College has usually come at times when Electors ignore their State's wishes and fail to represent the popular vote of the State. For example; Maine overwhelmingly votes for John McCain in the Presidential election but our Elector's decide to throw their lot in behind Barack instead. I am sure there are safe guards somewhere that discourage such a misuse of power, but lets not be foolish, it happens. That in itself does not mean the Electoral College is all bad.
For the College does one thing for the Maine Voter. One extremely important thing, it gives you a voice. The Voter's from Maine, who are still part of the United States of America, get to be heard through their Electors even if the rest of the Nation disagrees. Under this bill, that voice will be silenced and the whole dynamic of political campaigning will be changed.

The Bill specifically states: The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner.

This actually looks more confusing than it is. What it means is if the National Popular vote goes to a Candidate then the Electors are bound to cast their ballots for that candidate. Right, so the College will effectively become a rubber stamp, bound by the votes of people from other states like California. How is this bad? We are a Nation after all wherein Majority rules. Yes, but the very same Candidates that will be running, will no longer have to pay attention to Small States like Maine and Rhode Island. They will focus their efforts on all of the heavily populated States like New York, Massachusetts, and California. The issues that those voters hold dear will be the issues and concerns for the candidate. Do you as a Maine citizen have the same worries as someone who lives in San Fransisco? maybe on a very basic level, but overall I believe your views will be very different on, let's say, Immigration. Thus your voice is silenced, your opinion voided, your status lowered. No Politician is going to even bat an eyelash at the woes of Maine voters if this passes. Forget about them coming here, or even attempting to help with the major issues that we face like heating Oil prices. So long as they can keep the big States happy they will have no need of us, i.e. you.

What this Bill also says to the Maine Voter is this: " You are too Stupid to chose for yourself so we are going to look elsewhere for our leader." ( pretty harsh huh?) but it is true. The Sponsors and Co-Sponsors of this piece of garbage are screaming that at the top of their lungs. These self same " Representatives" are attempting to undermine your rights and freedoms through Legislation. Elitist, is the nicest term I could come up with for these criminals. They are not stealing money or material items, no, they are stealing your citizenship, your voice. If this passes we might as well pack it in people, for then the Elitists will be right. We, the people of Maine, are too stupid and obtuse, to have a say in the realm of national politics.

Here is the list of Criminals who are Robbing you. Sadly there are 3 Republicans involved.


Sponsored By:
Senator MARTIN of Aroostook ( D )
Cosponsored By:
Senator BRYANT of Oxford ( D )
Representative CANAVAN of Waterville ( D )
Speaker CUMMINGS of Portland ( D )
Senator DOW of Lincoln ( R )
Representative GOULD of South Berwick ( R )
Senator MITCHELL of Kennebec ( D )
Representative PATRICK of Rumford ( D )
Representative PINGREE of North Haven ( D )
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook ( R )
Representative WOODBURY of Yarmouth ( U )

contact your state representative and state senator and ask them to stop this act of thievery.

Slainte'
Blighter