The Absurdity of Iowa

http://mobile.nytimes.com/art/129650/19

The NYT has a great piece on how completely absurd and uninclusive the Iowa caucus system is.

"Iowans begin the presidential selection process, making choices among the candidates that can heavily influence how the race unfolds. Now some are starting to ask why the first, crucial step in that process is also one that discourages so many people, especially working-class people, from participating."

The story is full of very good anecdotes from those who cannot participate - the National Guardsman in Afghanistan, the single mother with an autistic son, the local Republican party boss.

Why does such an absurd system exist?

"There is no incentive for Iowa to change this at all," said Mr. Issacharoff, of N.Y.U. "It corresponds to what Iowa wants, which is candidates spending time and resources in Iowa," in order to win supporters dedicated enough to conquer the obstacles to voting."

Thus I can understand why Iowans allow this to continue, but why the other 49 states allow themselves to be marginalized is beyond me.