Change to popular vote in right way

With the scratch of his signature Monday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich added Illinois to two other states officially calling for presidential elections to be decided by popular vote. The new law would bypass the mostly winner-take-all, state-by-state Electoral College system utilized to elect every president since George Washington.

We support measures to improve voter turnout and promote fair elections. Electing a president by popular vote would do both.

What concerns us is the method by which this change would take place. Using a state compact rather than a constitutional amendment to change the Electoral College's traditional function treads on unfamiliar, possibly hazardous ground. Proponents of using the popular vote to elect a president should not trust a convenient but untried method to change the system. They should do it by amending the Constitution. It's the harder way, but it's the right way.

Skirting real issue

Ah, politicians. When duty calls, and there is hard work to be done, we can count on the time-honored tradition of our state and federally elected officials to conveniently change the subject.

Springfield has provided a classic example of this diversion with legislation initiated by State Rep. Jack Franks of Woodstock, calling for a constitutional amendment to allow the recall of top state government officials.

Meanwhile, the real issue on the table is where our state government can find an estimated $750 million to make up the revenue shortfall that threatens our existing state budget. Cutbacks are already happening, even here in Stephenson County. News reverberated throughout the state that the Extension program, including offerings here in Stephenson County, will face drastic cutbacks if the state fails to shake the couch and find the millions promised to local agencies.

Our governor's solution? The Honorable Rod Blagojevich is calling for legislators to increase spending and enact a universal health care proposal. In light of the current shortfall, the idea is simply absurd.

State legislators have learned this time-honored tactic from the best, of course. Can anyone tell us where the latest flag-burning Constitutional Amendment is at?