To Tom Cronin:<\/p>\n
Your article on the 22nd Amendment in the Colorado College Bulletin<\/i> for November 2013 was excellent. This amendment changed \u2014 for the better \u2014 how we do our political business. Let me propose for your consideration a pair of other changes designed to eliminate two problems with our present legislative system at both the state and federal levels.<\/p>\n
First, under our present system, a large portion of the voters, sometimes even a majority, are not represented in the legislative body because they voted for a losing candidate. Second, a candidate who was elected by only a very small plurality wields as much power in the legislature as one who received an overwhelming fraction of all votes cast. The following pair of proposals, applicable to at least the lower houses of state and national legislatures, eliminates both difficulties.<\/p>\n
First, both the candidate who received the highest number of votes and<\/i> the one who received the next highest number are declared elected. Second, in the legislature each member casts as many votes on each issue as that member received when last elected.<\/p>\n
With these two changes in place, every voter except those who voted for a minor party candidate will be represented in the appropriate legislature. Further, each voter\u2019s vote will have an equal effect on legislative decisions.<\/p>\n
It is possible that minor parties might squawk that, under these provisions, their candidates will never be elected and their voters will be no better represented than in the past. There are at least two answers to this objection. First, their adherents are not represented now. Second, a minority party candidate has a better chance of being elected under the new rules than under the old ones. Under the old rules, a candidate from any party had to draw the most votes. A minority candidate had to draw more votes than the candidate of the most popular majority party. Under the new rules, the minority party candidates need only draw more votes than the candidate from the second most popular party.<\/p>\n
While there may be some practical objections to these two provisions, such as either increasing the sizes of legislatures or of electoral districts, I do think they deserve serious consideration.<\/p>\n
Werner Heim
\nProfessor Emeritus, Biology Department<\/p>\n
To the Editors:<\/p>\n
It was with such pleasure that I read of the mural in Cossitt Hall dedicated to Hanya Holm in the latest issue of The Bulletin,<\/i> November 2013. I was fortunate enough to study with Hanya during the summers when I was a student at CC. After graduation she invited me to try out for my first Broadway show titled \u201cChristine.\u201d It only lasted for 10 days in New York, but it was my initiation to the Great White Way. A year later I was lucky enough to secure a dancing role, with a bit part and a little singing thrown in, in the original cast of \u201cCamelot.\u201d She was a great mentor to many dancers and I shall always be grateful for both Colorado College and Hanya Holm.<\/p>\n
Laurie Archer \u201959<\/strong><\/p>\n I was saddened to learn of the death of Doug Freed. While I never had a class from him at CC, we got to know each other in Chicago, where he was spending a sabbatical and I was working on a Ph.D. We would occasionally meet for coffee or a meal, and Doug never failed to take personal interest in me. What especially impressed me, though, was how much he loved just to think: about books, contemporary political events, music, or life meaning. He truly had a gift for thoughtful conversation. I am thankful for him.<\/p>\n John P. Burgess \u201976<\/strong><\/p>\n In the November 2013 issue, we neglected to credit Julia Belamarich \u201914<\/b>, whose artwork provided the backdrop for the cover. Her talent was showcased in her thesis show in the Taylor Theatre March 31-April 4.<\/p>\nMourning Douglas Freed<\/h3>\n
Notes on the Previous Issue<\/h3>\n