I am having a moment of sudden understanding–and thus sudden anger–about the Iowa caucus. How can this be the way we want things done?

Here’s my problem with the caucus system: What if everyone in Iowa wanted to participate? I know, that’s crazy, but let’s just say they did.

Not possible.

What if you’re on dialysis? How many 17-year-old babysitters are there to go around? Who will man the 911 system, the emergency room, the quickie mart. What if you’re the low man on the totem pole–you can’t get the night off, so no vote. What if you’re in Iraq?

Why isn’t anyone asking these questions–and asking them a little earlier than my own untimely realization? Oh, look, they are: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/us/politics/02vote.html?hp

I cannot believe it’s still done this way. But thanks to the Politico and AnonymousLiberal, who reminded me that it’s not the Constitution, it’s the parties. It doesn’t have to be constitutional, the parties can choose their nominee by throwing cards into a hat.