Ranked choice voting has lots of upside
From personal experience, I can agree with your recent op-ed on ranked choice voting (“Voters and democracy would be better off with ranked-choice voting,” Oct. 18). I grew up in Australia and voted there for 20 years before moving to the U.S. and voting here for 20 years.In Australia, I voted for my preferred candidate from a list of usually around five candidates. I didn’t have to consider “strategic voting,” where I may vote for a candidate I don’t like but who I think has a better chance of winning than some other candidate whom I positively dislike. I can tell you that my heart felt better choosing the person who best reflected my values. If they did not win on the first round of counting, my vote was not wasted, as my second choice was then counted.No candidate could win with less than 50% of the vote, and the system favored the “least unpopular candidate,” so it paid to be nice to your opponents and find common ground with other candidates. Related Voters and democracy would be better off with ranked choice voting Some people like having only two parties with any chance of winning seats, but I prefer more choices. Who wants only two national supermarket chains or only two banks to choose from, or two TV channels? The trend in Australia for the last two decades has been an increasing number of independents as voters are turned off by the major parties and their "politics as usual." Here, we have to hold our noses and vote for one of two parties when we may dislike both.There are lots of voting best practices that other countries have tested in the last 230 years that could well be adopted in the U.S.I’m glad that Evanston voted to adopt ranked choice voting in April, and I hope that Chicago will follow soon. Eventually, I would like to see the U.S. adopt this system because it provides voters with more choice and favors finding common ground.Don Wedd, Hyde Park SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. To be considered for publication, letters must include your full name, your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be a maximum of approximately 375 words. Did Trump really say that?Ever since he has sullied political discourse in our nation, many have wondered just how low Donald Trump is willing to go in his ceaseless, unhinged ramblings. Well, at his rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Saturday, where he obsessed about Arnold Palmer's genitalia, we have a fairly good idea. Can't get much lower, folks.Samuel C. Small, Rosemoor Related Arnold Palmer’s penis size is latest Donald Trump talking point: This could be the next president Find out if you qualify for lung screeningNovember is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and, as a six-year survivor of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, I can tell you it’s important for all to ask their doctors if they qualify for screening. It is painless and covered by most insurance, including Medicare. Lung screening can save lives. Maida Mangiameli, Hawthorn WoodsJay Cutler’s arrested developmentRegarding the arrest of Jay Cutler on suspicion of DUI and gun possession, having seen him play quarterback for the Chicago Bears, I'd say the public was in no danger, as he would have missed anyone that he shot at.Mark Mardell, Edison ParkTell the realities of obsessive-compulsive disorderObsessive-compulsive disorder affects up to 1% to 3% of the global population, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders. Too often, it's reduced to quirky habits or perfectionism, but the reality is far more serious. And for those living with the disorder, these misrepresentations have real consequences.OCD Awareness Week ended Oct.19, but we still have an opportunity to correct the narrative and ensure that people understand the true impact of OCD: a debilitating condition that can take a severe toll on mental and physical well-being.The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception, and coverage can help dispel harmful myths that keep many from seeking help. We invite you to tell a story that matters — a story that educates, empowers, and ultimately helps change lives.The International OCD Foundation is a valuable resource that can connect you with: personal stories that reveal the true struggles of living with OCD; expert interviews with top clinicians and researchers in the field; engaging data and visuals to support coverage.Let's work together to bring the realities of OCD into the spotlight. Alexandra Brozowski, Lake ViewBlast from the pastWhen "Antiques Roadshow" filmed in Chicago a number of years ago, the line was never-ending and the conversation always revolved not around “Where do you live?” but “What p
From personal experience, I can agree with your recent op-ed on ranked choice voting (“Voters and democracy would be better off with ranked-choice voting,” Oct. 18). I grew up in Australia and voted there for 20 years before moving to the U.S. and voting here for 20 years.
In Australia, I voted for my preferred candidate from a list of usually around five candidates. I didn’t have to consider “strategic voting,” where I may vote for a candidate I don’t like but who I think has a better chance of winning than some other candidate whom I positively dislike. I can tell you that my heart felt better choosing the person who best reflected my values. If they did not win on the first round of counting, my vote was not wasted, as my second choice was then counted.
No candidate could win with less than 50% of the vote, and the system favored the “least unpopular candidate,” so it paid to be nice to your opponents and find common ground with other candidates.
Some people like having only two parties with any chance of winning seats, but I prefer more choices. Who wants only two national supermarket chains or only two banks to choose from, or two TV channels? The trend in Australia for the last two decades has been an increasing number of independents as voters are turned off by the major parties and their "politics as usual." Here, we have to hold our noses and vote for one of two parties when we may dislike both.
There are lots of voting best practices that other countries have tested in the last 230 years that could well be adopted in the U.S.
I’m glad that Evanston voted to adopt ranked choice voting in April, and I hope that Chicago will follow soon. Eventually, I would like to see the U.S. adopt this system because it provides voters with more choice and favors finding common ground.
Don Wedd, Hyde Park
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. To be considered for publication, letters must include your full name, your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be a maximum of approximately 375 words.
Did Trump really say that?
Ever since he has sullied political discourse in our nation, many have wondered just how low Donald Trump is willing to go in his ceaseless, unhinged ramblings. Well, at his rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Saturday, where he obsessed about Arnold Palmer's genitalia, we have a fairly good idea. Can't get much lower, folks.
Samuel C. Small, Rosemoor
Find out if you qualify for lung screening
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and, as a six-year survivor of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, I can tell you it’s important for all to ask their doctors if they qualify for screening. It is painless and covered by most insurance, including Medicare. Lung screening can save lives.
Maida Mangiameli, Hawthorn Woods
Jay Cutler’s arrested development
Regarding the arrest of Jay Cutler on suspicion of DUI and gun possession, having seen him play quarterback for the Chicago Bears, I'd say the public was in no danger, as he would have missed anyone that he shot at.
Mark Mardell, Edison Park
Tell the realities of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects up to 1% to 3% of the global population, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders. Too often, it's reduced to quirky habits or perfectionism, but the reality is far more serious. And for those living with the disorder, these misrepresentations have real consequences.
OCD Awareness Week ended Oct.19, but we still have an opportunity to correct the narrative and ensure that people understand the true impact of OCD: a debilitating condition that can take a severe toll on mental and physical well-being.
The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception, and coverage can help dispel harmful myths that keep many from seeking help. We invite you to tell a story that matters — a story that educates, empowers, and ultimately helps change lives.
The International OCD Foundation is a valuable resource that can connect you with: personal stories that reveal the true struggles of living with OCD; expert interviews with top clinicians and researchers in the field; engaging data and visuals to support coverage.
Let's work together to bring the realities of OCD into the spotlight.
Alexandra Brozowski, Lake View
Blast from the past
When "Antiques Roadshow" filmed in Chicago a number of years ago, the line was never-ending and the conversation always revolved not around “Where do you live?” but “What parish are you from?” As a lifelong Chicagoan (and a Jew who lived in St. Jerome’s parish), that always tickled me.
Bindy Bitterman, Uptown
Bikers better than drivers
Can we please stop parroting the claims that bikers break the law more than cars? It's old and not backed up by anything more than confirmation bias. Drivers break the law to save time, bikers break the law for their own safety. These things are not the same.
Bikers don't kill hundreds of people in the state of Illinois every year. Bikers don't cost the city millions in damages every year. Bikes don't come crashing into people's front rooms. Bikes are not contributing to the smog in the area.
It is getting old, tiresome, and is putting people on bikes in danger.
Conor McNamara, Wicker Park
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