George,

Kay Peaslee will be shocked to hear that I sort of agree with her about the practicality of having a monarchal figure-head who represents the country while another leader actually carries out the duties of the executive. At the present moment, unfortunately, we have exactly that -- Bush as the figurehead, Cheney running the country. If, instead, we were to have direct voting for BOTH positions (and lose the electoral college) perhaps we could have America's seeming preference of a beer-drinking buddy as monarch, with some policy-wonk type actually doing the work. Perhaps if we were to go back to the runner-up vote-getter serving as vice-president, this would be what we'd have?

Valerie L'Herrou (electronic mail, June 12, 2004)