Once again, Washington is in the news because they can't figure out how to make a primary that doesn't suck. This puts them significantly closer to the truth of the matter than other states. The truth is:
Primaries Suck!
You heard it here first, folks. Now, the next question: Why do they suck? They are an "election" where parties pick a candidate who best represents them to run in the election. It is a democratic election, but without all the democracy and electing. So then, why do we have them? Because we are stuck in a country where plurality elections are the norm. Folks, plurality is the best possible voting system, excepting all others (Apologies to Mr. Churchill).
Now, this is not news. The romans knew it. They used Borda counts in the senate around 105 AD. And it does not really make a difference what method we do use. Pick something better than plurality, then dump the primaries. "How will we pick a candidate?" whine the parties. I. Do. Not. Care. Pick whomever you want. Hell, run them all, as far as I care. But I will tell you this: I am sick and tired of America paying for their parties to pick hacks who do not represent America.
Additional Reading:
Election Selection over at Science News
May the Best Man Lose over at Discover
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