April 6, 2020 3 Comments Mr. M
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It’s Time for Online Voting

Given what is going on and the fact that we are in the middle of a presidential election, there are questions about how the current situation might impact the upcoming presidential election. There has been questions if the next primary in Wisconsoin will still take place. Beyond that, everything is up in the air. The million dollar question is: Could the presidential election be postponed in November?  Keep in mind that the Congress gets to determine the day/date of the presidential elections. Here is a link to read more about this.
So what do you think? Should we consider online voting for the next presidential election?
New York Times (Opinion)

Using blockchain technology, online voting could boost voter participation and help restore the public’s trust in the electoral process and democracy.

The key weakness of early online voting systems was the inability to solve what cryptographers called the “double spend problem.” When we send a file on the internet, we’re actually sending a copy of that file; the original remains in our possession. This is acceptable for sharing information but unacceptable for recording votes in elections. The possibility that individuals could cast their ballots multiple times for a candidate made these systems useless — just as vulnerable as paper ballot systems. Points of failure included susceptibility to hackers, coding bugs, and human error. With enough resources, any rogue could “stuff” a digital ballot box with illegitimate votes. (more…)

September 8, 2019 Comments are off Mr. M
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Our political parties aren’t too powerful. They’re not powerful enough.

Read the following op-ed. Do you agree or disagree with the authors views about political parties. Be sure to explain your answer and give examples that help support your position. (Answers should be a minimum of two paragraphs)

 

OPINION – By David Von Drehle
Columnist focusing on national affairs and politics
October 2, 2018

Given the extreme polarization in the Senate as the final act of the Kavanaugh confirmation drama arrives, one might conclude that political parties have never been stronger. George Washington’s words in his farewell address strike a ringing chord in these bitter times. Warning against “the baneful effects of the spirit of party” (which, Washington admitted, “unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature”), the Father of his Country listed the bad effects of faction:

It “serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.” It even “opens the door to foreign influence and corruption,” Washington added presciently — centuries before Paul Manafort laundered his first Ukrainian hryvnia. (more…)