Author Topic: The electorial college.  (Read 4628 times)

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Offline Old Rabbit

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The electorial college.
« on: March 14, 2016, 01:50:09 pm »
In my opinion the electorial college part of the election process is antiquated
and should be disbanded.

My understanding is at the time of our countries founding the process of
choosing a president was considered beyond the knowlege of the average
uneducated citizen.  So our founders decided a check and balance was needed
to protect the country from the election of an undesirable individual.

Of course counting votes in those days were difficult and time consuming. So
the states sending electors was probably considered more reasonable than
counting the popular  vote for the nation.

Those chosen by the states as electors are not bound by law to vote for
the winner of the state they are appointed by. This means for example the
winner could loose the electorial vote if the electors decided he/she wasn't fit
to be president even if he/she technically won the election.

Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000 against Bush, but lost the electorial vote.
I really think we should do away with the electorial college. Our people are no longer
uneduated, and the winner of the popular vote should be president.

Of course some may say with way the process it going this time, those in power
would likely prefer it the way it is. But I doubt if the public would stand for a move
to void the actual vote unless it was very close like it was in 2000..

Even if we did elect a bad person. He/she could removed by impeachment.
« Last Edit: March 14, 2016, 01:56:45 pm by Old Rabbit »
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Offline Yip

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Re: The electorial college.
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2016, 08:47:53 pm »
Our people are no longer uneducated...
I don't know... I get the feeling that a sizable portion of the population are stupid, just in different ways.

At any rate, I think the election system in the US is broken far worse than just the electoral college.
CGP Grey did an excellent series of videos on the topic. (bonus: they are animal themed.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo&list=PL7679C7ACE93A5638

Offline Acton

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Re: The electorial college.
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2016, 02:23:26 am »
I would adamantly disagree coming from Oregon. We do not have  the population of  California.  The founding realize a direct democracy was  not a good thing.  It why we are a republic. The  electoral   college has one huge advantage: it gives smaller states a say in the election and ensures a broad  based  presidential election. The winner doe not  have to win the popular votes by only going to  a few  large states but must win a majority from  50 individual  state presidential election.

Offline Old Rabbit

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Re: The electorial college.
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2016, 12:31:29 pm »
Yes at the founding of our country there was fear the larger states would oppress the smaller
states. That's the main reason we have a "Senate" Every state is limited to two. The creation
the electorial college was more complicated than I claimed at first.

During the time of the founding of our country there was much worry about a federal government
stepping on states rights.  So the Electorial college was basicly a compromise between a popular
vote and states being able to send electors according to the number of congress and senators
they send to the federal government..

In the beginngin the federal congress was considered to be the elective body for president, but
fears of politics changed this. Though congress still has the say in an electoral tie.

Oregon has 7 electors, but the larger states have many more. So a canidate is less likely to
come to a small state with few electors than one with many. Where as with a popular vote
they would have a better reason to visit a small state in a close electioin.

In other words they would be more likely to listen to a small states fears to get their vote.

Admittedly there are reasons pro and con, but I feel a popular vote is better. We no longer
pase reprentaion on population that excludes the black man or women as voters.

This wiki site is good reference on the subject.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_%28United_States%29#Original_plan
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