billy, you know more about the workings of the American government than many born-in-this-country Americans do. Is it because of your fascination with odd lifeforms?

Hee. There is an evolutionary process to admire here, it's true.

One thing to note is that this country is not a democracy; it's a republic. The founders thought of democracy as mob rule. That's why they established a system in which people like them were elected to represent the common people. Henry Adams and his class were appalled by the election of Jackson.

To be fair, Jackson did turn out to be pretty appalling.

Don't forget the role of slavery. The electroral college was also a protection for slavery.

Don't forget the role of slavery. The electroral college was also a protection for slavery.

That is true (and of course it was pushed as "States' rights" when the tide turned against it). However, I put most weight on the "three-fifths of a person" clause in the Constitution in protecting slavery. It worked easily with the EC, but it did so through its impact on House representation. Conversely, equal Senate representation initially favoured the northern states, which on average were smaller than the southern states.

Zen, I fly out of Dulles all the time, and it's not super-complicated. You do have to allow a lot of time though, as the terminals are a ways from the main building. After you check in, just follow the signs.

You know who would be awesome in the job? A career diplomat who has put in years of service and earned the job.

LOLOLOLoLOLOLOL.

The political appointee positions in State go deeper and deeper every year. So even if you did this you'd have hundreds of random political appointees running around.

Kerry's made it extremely clear that he wants the job, and it will probably go to him. But you know what's even scarier? If Mitt had been elected it would've been JOHN BOLTON.

Kerry's made it extremely clear that he wants the job, and it will probably go to him. But you know what's even scarier? If Mitt had been elected it would've been JOHN BOLTON.

I like to imagine that in a wacky misunderstanding, he instead appoints Michael Bolton. Forget the Monroe Doctrine, world, get ready for the Romney Doctrine: "Let the U.S.A. touch you... there."

hundreds of random political appointees running around.

Like the minions in Despicable Me?

Banana

Rachel Maddow seems to be having the happiest broadcast of her life right now.

Conversely, equal Senate representation initially favoured the northern states, which on average were smaller than the southern states.

But it is also true that at the time many of the smaller Northern states were involved in the triangle trade - sugar( & molasses) rum and slaves. So it still favored slavery.

Incidentally ita !, preferential voting is not woo-woo. You take an election where we might want a run off and rank your choices so that the results of a run-off can be calculated mathematically. IF there are 3 candidates and all the voters rank them and nobody gets a majority then it is straightforward to calculate who would win a run-off. Simple fairness in any election with more than two candidates.