Re: Scanning?
The fact that this is done with ease in other countries, like the UK, where elections simply cannot be interfered with electronically, suggest that the American "system" is, indeed ... stupid.
I always love it when someone who has absolutely no concept of what transpires in the US suggests that the American "system" is anything. So here's a little primer:
First, there is no American "system". Got that, or did your head just explode?
Second, there is no American "system". Just making sure that point gets through.
Third, every state, county, and town has their own ways of doing things; there isn't one particular American "system" you can compare the UK to. You lot keep mentioning electing dog catchers but I can honestly say I've ever lived in the one place where dog catcher is actually an elected position. I have also lived in places where sheriff isn't an elected position and others where it is. I agree it's a little loopy here in SoCali but as the kids say, "it is what it is".
Fourth, every state, county, and town is free to change their "system" as they see fit so there is no American "system".
Finally, I understand you like limes so maybe you're just a tad bitter and feel the need to make up some imaginary American "system" to rail against. It's ok, maybe you should get out more and stop watching your equivalent of Fox or CNN or Limbaugh or Kos or what-have-you as they tend to stir things up and make everything sound worse than it actually is. Just remember, everyone is only trying to do what sells ads and that 95% of it is crap. Mmmkay?