Debate Watch
Page 12
HTT p;//CJ A. MSG. TAMU.EDU
Persons with disabilities needing assistance tttav call 845-1637
MSC E.L Miller
Science and Technology Committee
Presents
007: The Deal Thing
Jim Ohsotf ab|5Uj- his'undercover
cxpcricnC-Ciu'Witlphe CIA
Tucr^ ^ qjfff 17 ,h
gt
http://elmiller.msc.tamu.edu
Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515.
&
P ICKING UP your 2000 Aggieland is easy. If you ordered a book, go to
the basement of the Reed McDonald Building, and show your Student
ID. If you did not order last year's Texas A&M yearbook (the 1999-2000
school year), you may purchase one for $35 plus tax in 015 Reed
McDonald. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash,
checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.
http://aggieland.tamu.edu
PICK UP YOUR
AGGIELAND
HERE
opinion
Tuesday, October!
Electoral
Continued from Page 11
Theoretically, up to 49 percent of a state’s electorate
can go without representation in such a system if the
opposition candidate garners the remaining 51 percent.
The Electoral College system does not reward candi
dates who make strong showings in hotly contested
races — it treats them the same as candidates who are
soundly defeated.
Another negative effect of the Electoral College is
the lack of representation it gives third-party candidates.
In 1992, H. Ross Perot received 19 percent of the
national popular vote, but not a single electoral vote,
since he failed to cap
ture a majority in any
state. An electoral
process that com
pletely disregards J
one-fifth of the /// ’V
electorate can-
not be called a n t***/i\f
representative r^** 1
system.
The 538 votes in the Elec
toral College, one for each
state’s congressional members
and three for the District of
Columbia, do not paint an ac
curate picture of the American
population.
T
others is not compatible with states’ rights.
The main defense of Electoral College support!:
invariably that it is “what the framers had in
There is no dispute that the writers of the Constitui
wanted to keep the ill-informed masses from dira
electing their leaders.
Their reasons have been well documented
ed by numerous scholars throughout the years. Tk
Electoral College was a solution that fit 18th-ceifc
America well.
However, information is now easily accessible
public through television, newspapers the Internei
other media outlets. The electoral process shoukh
longer fear the influence of the “ignorant masses.’
In truth, the masses have been intk
know for quite a whit
f now.
America has noth,
need to stick to the fra:
intentions when it come
other areas. If it had, the
si
1
By Brady
The Batta
A Texas
)n the toe (
bat that i
coming election’s constita • ; ia //| IIK * 1
would consist entirely of»i
property-owners.
The Constitution isal
document. What the forefat
truly had in mind wasadoct
ment that could be adapted!:
address new issues as the Ur.
States evolved over time.
The principles establish
1789 were the beginnings!?
new nation, not the finali
print.
In the end, the Electoral
College it is an antiquated system
Based on 1990 census data, each
electoral vote from the state of Alaska represents ap
proximately 112,000 eligible voters.
In contrast, each elector from the state of New York
represents 404,000 eligible voters. It does not take a
math whiz to figure out that New Yorkers are getting
less bang for their buck when it comes to electing the
president.
Americans have proven to be capable of directly
electing their representatives and senators. What is
wrong with each American finally getting an equal say
in electing the president?
California, which has only 11 percent of the total na
tional population, holds 54 electoral votes — 20 per
cent of the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.
The candidate who captures California is already
one-fifth of the way to victory. Only the 11 most popu
lous states are needed to win the election.
Federalism is an important concept that is brought
up again and again in the Constitution. A system that al
lows a minority of states to negate the vote of the 39
wuuege n is an aiuiquaieu sysra .
that discourages participation and distorts the wiUd | ■“* I
the people. 1 ^
Two hundred years ago, it was good idea. Today
merits are heavily outweighed by its drawbacks.
It is time for the American form of government
become more representative.
It is time for the political elites to relinquish thei
power to the people.
Nicholas Roznovsky is a senior political sciencein
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 300
or less and Include the author's name, class and phone number.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, stjt
accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014 Reed Me Dora:
a valid student ID. Letters may also be mailed to:
The Battalion - Mall Call
014 Reed McDonald
Texas A&M University
1111TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843
By Courts
The Battai
Collectii
nore than 1
$65 to $70
out to a lan
get Texas
about recyc
Initiated
fice bee an
Columns and letters appearing in The Battalion express the opinion? \ 991 and i
authors only. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of otherBattalior agement of
members, the Texas A&M student body, regents, administrator,feailtyon" p^vi^on s
wastewatei
—- Though i
Campus Mall: 1111
Fax: (979) 845-2647
E-mall: battletters@hotmall.com
B
ixth floor
ibrary.
Accord
ane Step!
Diversity
was bitten
Sti
efl
la<
an awarenej
pon, organn
jovernmen
lental Issue
Residence I
The Pepsi Bottling Group
vork with tl
groups colk
paper, cardb
yearbooks, (
ored paper, t
Rakes one w
Jump Start Your Career:
Opportunities Available In Sales & Operations!
jstops at resit
vorking tog<
aent a proj
about recycl
Daniella
Ian intern at t
junior renev
isources majc
Itablish a linl
Office and tl
“The
the U
thor
consh
a maj
that
WK/mMSM
..flWBfo, iW-’A -'si, iw- Mg? ti
passi
st
Environr
The Pepsi Bottling Croup is the world's largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of
Pepsi beverages. The company, formed in March 1999 through an IPO, generates nearly
$8 billion in annual sales. PBC's sales force sells and delivers over 100 million 8 oz.
servings of Pepsi-Cola beverages per day and operates 70 plants worldwide.
We will be at Texas A&M University for the following events:
Information Session, October 17th • On-Campus Interviews, November 7th
“The main
program has i
j on campus in
I of student aw
Various or
| tees have pret
the Recycling
cling among t
failed becam
Hiche said.
“The issue
thorities do r
Submit your resumes to the Career Center by October 18th
major issue, a
on to the stud
She added
Visit our web site at:
www.pbg.com
sters are u,
at the serv
lows for qi
recyclable
Howevt
ulty and st
much wast
cling Offic
trash disap
wonder wh
The EI(
gram, with
See