political noodling

rebeccmeister linked to a John Oliver (JO) screed about a month ago, and I finally got some time to do a little reading and post something intelligent about it. Since the odds look good that Forces of Less Bad are going to win the election, and probably the trifecta, it seemed like a good time to post this.

JO rants and raves about three things: the Electoral College, the Senate, and the Supremes. (He also rails against the Senate Republicans, but I don't have anything to add about that.) I'm going to take the topics in that order, and correct a few misconceptions about the Senate along the way. And then I'm going to add some related comments about the presidency.

( Electoral College vs a popular vote for president )

( The Senate )

( SCOTUS )

( Sundries )