The Texas primary day concluded with votes counted and the primaries won by Hillary Clinton. But the caucuses were actually on a different day and in the evening.
- Firstly, a state does not need to have BOTH primaries and caucuses - Secondly, caucuses are themselves problematic at many levels. They require people to fight to get in the door, which means staying in line for a long time. Then, they have to stay in the caucus session the entire time, sign up in multiple places; otherwise, their vote does not count. These things are especially problematic to people who do not know about the finer details of how a caucus "game" is "played" and won. The time length of stay and the fight required to even have a voice in the caucuses is not conducive to poorer people, especially laborers participating.
When I was calling Texas, I had a spanish translation (my own version) in my hand, and the one thing I learned is how many hispanics are laborers or had no childcare, so could not go to the caucuses.
Now, we have not yet arrived at the dirty fighting, procedure-fudging and book-fudging that we have heard of in the caucuses. The caucuses are bad for the country. They are UN-democratic and a shame to the Dem party.
I believe every state should have a primary.
I also think the primary system of weightage for inner city different from the suburbs is a big problem.
The primaries need to be exactly the same as general election. Vote in all places, winner takes all delegates for the state.
That should simplify the process considerably and reduce, if not eliminate, the corruption in the system.
-- Edited by Sanders on Monday 1st of March 2010 05:06:03 PM
__________________
Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010