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thanks. OP. Of course we need the electoral college. Do all those who want the constitution changed and the vote to go strictly by popular vote think small states should have no say in the future of our country? My vote is as important today, living in AR as it was when we lived in California, VA or Texas.
America’s Founders created the Electoral College to prevent the Executive branch from becoming polarized by partisan politics. They despised the Parliamentary system of democracy in England, where the majority party filled the ministerial posts, from Prime minister on down, and who executed the laws enacted with bias for their own party.
Since it would be highly unlikely for the voters to be able to meet and examine all candidates for office, the solution was for the local electorate to choose one from among them whose judgment they trusted, to be an Elector in the Electoral College, investigate and examine the candidates, then cast two votes, limited to no more than one from their home state.
The genius of the original E.C. was that the candidate with the most votes would be president, but the next most votes would likely be his rival and his ‘vice’ (pun intended). Thus the V.P. could be the counterbalance to any partisanship or bias in the execution of the laws enacted by Congress, as well as the appointment to executive positions. Sadly, it worked too well and George Washington disliked his V.P., the fiery John Adams (twice elected V.P.!), and sought the amendment that made the E.C. vote for a team.
Unfortunately, once the executive was a team, there was nothing to prevent partisanship. Now, the political parties had a ripe plum - executive appointments - to pay off supporters.
It went downhill, after that.
But what would happen if the original recipe was restored, and parties were no longer fielding candidate teams and pledged electors?
● No more national campaigning
● No incessant political ads
● No need for campaign contributions (legal bribery)
● No partisan fighting
● No bar to poor, but suitable candidates
I, for one, would appreciate a return to the original E.C. A president is delegated power to execute the laws enacted by Congress, not be a super legislator nor dictator. He is the highest ranking public servant, chosen to serve the American people - not rule them.
I supported the concept of the Electoral College before the election, I supported it back when GW won, when Obama won, and I still support it. That the results come out in a way that I think is a failure for the country doesn't mean it should be scrapped. As they say, this election is unique. Hopefully, the nation will be back to being reasonable sane by the next go-round.
Clinton's popular vote lead can be contributed entirely to California . Without California Trump is way ahead in the popular vote . Does all the people screaming that Clinton won really believe the whole country should be ruled by far left California ? Are the radical liberals in one state more important than the whole rest of the country ? I say , HELL NO !!!
As Hillary's advantage in the vote continues to increase, it's entertaining to see how sensitive the right is becoming over their "big victory." Not only did Trump lose the vote, but the GOP lost seats in both the house and senate.
Yes, Trump has been legally elected - but 54% of voters rejected him.
That's a fact. One that's very uncomfortable for Trumplings.
Spoken like someone with extremely limited understanding of politics, as the Democrats actually should have gained control of the Senate and had substantial gains in the House.
As Hillary's advantage in the vote continues to increase, it's entertaining to see how sensitive the right is becoming over their "big victory."
No more entertaining than the left continually trying to comfort themselves with the popular vote
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Clintons Popular Vote Lead
