The Electrical College and Flavored Vaping

After a newspaper erroneously printed an obituary of the still living Mark Twain, he quipped, "Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated."  I didn't realize it's been since July that I've posted here.  At may age, I wonder if any thought......

I've had lots to think about, lots to confront and to be confronted by, etc., but have just been far too busy for a retired guy.  Each of the last three weekends, I had on my list of things to do, "Blog!"  I ran out of time, I guess.

One thing that seems to be gaining momentum is the National Popular Vote plan.  I strongly oppose that.  The idea is to get rid of the Electrical College.  It's not hard to figure out who is behind that, considering that of the last five Presidential elections twice Democrats won the national popular vote but, due to the existence of the Electrical College, lost the elections.  (I'm going to resist saying, "Poor losers!")  According to the plan, a state which signs on agrees to assign all of its Electrical votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, even if that candidate loses in that state.  First, there are historical reasons for the existence of the Electrical College.  I don't think they are obsolete today.  Second, NO!!!!!!  I don't want my vote wasted just because of what voters in the other states want.  I want my vote counted, whether for a minor party candidate or a write-in candidate.  Why should my vote count for less than some California voter?  For that matter, why should my vote not count at all?  Third, this is another way some folks are trying to circumvent the Constitution.  (I know, I know.  "The Constitution is just a document that was written by old white men."  Try reading it and thinking about it before agreeing with that ignorant comment.)  I believe about 15 states have already signed on the the National Popular Vote plan, states whose Electrical votes add to 196.  (Double check my figures.)  Only a handful of states, whose votes total another 74, will put the plan into action.  That is, a minority of the states can circumvent the Constitution in this instance.  That, my friends, is frightening and wrong!  I hope Michigan isn't foolish enough to sign on to this.

Michigan's governor has issued a decree banning flavored vaping types.  (I don't know much about vaping, so am unaware of the proper terminology.)  The idea is to help prevent teen-age use and the accompanying health concerns and even deaths that occur from vaping.  Does the governor and those who have cheered the decree really think this will prevent vaping from youths to any degree?  I really doubt it.  Isn't smoking a "health crisis," as the governor cited to rationalize her vaping ban, for kids, too?  Isn't smoking a bigger danger for kids, esp for the long haul, than vaping?  (I'm just guessing it is.)  Kids are prevented from smoking by laws, too, right?  Ha Ha Ha.  For that matter, isn't underage drinking a far bigger problem than vaping?  Don't flavored alcoholic drinks attract youthful and illegal drinkers?  So, why doesn't the governor ban those sweet drinks?  Hmmm......  I can think of some reasons, none of which make sense in light of the governor's professed ban on flavored vaping.  Why should adult vapers (as opposed to "vapors?") also be prohibited from the flavors?  After all, they can still purchase and drink the flavored alcoholic beverages.  And they can still smoke.  Should we consider the precedent of Big Government again stepping in and prohibiting things it doesn't like?

I have several other topics, but this is long enough for today.  Besides, I have essays to grade, the first of the term.  Ugh!  I'll try to get to those topics by this weekend.  As usual, I'm not going to proofread this, so please overlook any typos.