Real World

So, which is it people? Thumbs up, or thumbs down? Is it time to move to a popular vote for president, or were our Founding Fathers there usual exceptional selves in structuring our nation for the long haul?

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

Holy Diver

Its like the difference between the BCS and every other college sport's championship. The presidential election is the only BS election that changes the rules, why? Follow the $$$$$.

Patters

I think there's no perfect system and the electoral college helps make the president accountable to more than just high population urban areas. (That said, I recognize that election by popular majority would probably be good for progressive candidates.)

Real World

I actually think it is a great system, and a must considering our federalist structure. It preserves the value of states, as it rightfully protects their strengths versus the power of popularity.

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

STFarmy

I voted Yes, they had it right. I have a Master's degree in history, and one of my primary areas of interest was the creation of the Constitution and the political theory behind it. Scrapping it in favor of a true democracy was exactly what ALL of the Founders feared. The Federalist Papers are astounding, they give a pretty good look into what thought processes went into creating the Constitution; likewise, the "Anti-Federalist" papers (just a collection of anti-federalist writings) give a good view into the opposition. Almost all agreed however that true democracy was frightening. "Tyranny of the majority" is a constant term that comes up. In fact, many agreed that a benevolent monarchy was the best way to go, the problem was that there was no way to ensure it stayed benevolent. I'll curb this rant before it gets out of hand (I could talk forever about this stuff), but suffice it to say that I cringe when people say that we should just get rid of the Electoral College. Patters is right, there is no perfect system, but I think this one is pretty good, provided our society keeps vigilant (which it has a problem with).

BelichickFan

I don't like it. The only value to me is that if you need a re-count like we almost did in 2000 it's easier to handle it for one state than the whole country. The accountability thing is useless now, IMO, as candidates don't have to ride into town on a horse and carriage to get their points across to the voters. Personally I feel disenfranchised by the electoral college because, living in CA, my vote means literally nothing. If it were a popular vote at least I'd have a tiny chance of making an impact.

FreeTedWilliams

First Off, you would have to amend the Constitution, which would take ratification by more than 75% of the states, so it is not going to change.

Secondly, they absolutely got it right, if not all you would have to do is play to the cities to win the Presidency and the rural areas (you know the ones where the food is grown) would be unrepresented and diaster would soon loom.

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The Jets look like a Super Bowl contender right now about as much as Rosie O’Donnell looks like a threat for the Miss America crown. -NY Post 12/19/2011


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QuiGon

I don't mind this debate for hypothetical purposes, but it just ain't ever happening in our lifetimes. If we switched to a straight up popular vote, I believe something like 13 states (the largest ones) would gain proportionally and 37 states would suffer. In order to ratify the Constitution, you need 38 states (assuming the ratification got past Congress, which it never would). So even if we assume all 13 "big states" supported ratification, we would need 25 of 37 "small states" voting to decrease their own power in Presidential elections.

Probably not gonna happen

STFarmy

Of course it would, that's why the term "tyranny of the majority" was brought up so often. Most intellectual minds throughout WORLD history (not just U.S. history) distrust a true democracy. Even many Greeks were critical of it in 6th-5th century Athens. Dumping the Electoral College is a horrible idea.

BelichickFan

So why should the electoral college be state to state and not district to district ? I realize there's no constitutional requiement for this but most states do it and it sucks. Most of CA, by area, votes (R) but our vote is nullified by all the big cities. The electoral college should be by House district not winner takes all.