BACK TO CIVICS CLASS

A couple of things I want to talk about first and foremost I hope all my readers are doing wonderful, I know in these rough economic times everyone is feeling the hurt, keep your head up they tell me there is a silver lining somewhere and some how especially when you least it expect it!

I hope everyone voted but don't be disappointed if John McCain wins which he might even though Obama has the popular vote see I think a lot of people have forgotten just how cold blooded the government is, and I don't believe that we really live in a Democracy because if we did then our votes would count and there would be no stinking middle man, just the straight voice of the people but no it's not so allow me to take you back to your last year in high school let's remember civics' class shall we.

Elections and the Electoral Process

Federal elections are held in November of even-numbered years. Just as the President, Senators, and Representatives have overlapping constituencies, their terms also overlap.

* All Representatives are elected every two years by the voters of the district they represent.

* Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of them up for election every even year. Senators are chosen in statewide elections and represent all residents of their states.

* The President and Vice President are elected together every four years in a nationwide election.

The election process begins well in advance of the actual election as individuals declare their candidacies for office. In the congressional election process, if more than one candidate from the same party seeks the office, a primary election is held to determine which candidate will be on the ballot in the general election.

The primary process for presidential elections is different from congressional elections. Beginning in January and lasting through June of the election year, states hold presidential primaries or caucuses. The results of these ballots determine how many delegates will represent each respective candidate at the national party nominating conventions, which are usually held in July or August. These political conventions are where each party's nominee is actually selected.

In the general election in November, Senators and Representatives are elected by plurality vote—the candidate receiving the most votes wins, even if it is not a majority. In presidential elections, each state is allocated a number of electoral votes equal to the sum of U.S. Representatives and Senators for that state. The District of Columbia, though not a state, has three electoral votes.

The presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in a state "wins" that state's electoral votes, usually in a winner-take-all manner. After elections in each state are certified, the electoral votes won by each candidate are counted. If a candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes (at least 270 of the 538 total), he or she is declared the winner. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives chooses the winner, with each state delegation having one vote. Because the President is not elected directly by the people, it is possible for a candidate to receive a plurality of the popular vote and yet lose the election.

I don't want anyone's bubble to be burst but...since the house of reps is still all republican...you do the math and match up. That's how Bush got into office he stacked the deck the way he needed it stacked All republican house of reps which elected a republican candidate if I'm wrong someone inform me, let me know. Still team Obama and I already mailed in my vote but...we still live in AmeriKKK so nothing would surprise me.

Now that, that is out the way my heart does go out to J. Hud and her family it was a tragic thing to happen to her and her family. May God grant her peace and comfort through these trying times.