Why is there an Electoral College

[synthesis2]

It started in the 1700's when people didn't have access to information and understanding as to what is going on with the canidates but with everything we have today to make a good informed decision, it simply dosent make any sense.

Examples: If you live in Texas and are a democrat your vote dosen't count

If you live in California and are a republican your vote dosen't count

I have never heard a good argument as to why a popular vote dosen't work in today's society.

If the majority of the people want one person but the electorial college says the other is the winner why is that right?

Look I really don't care who wins in the end with divided house/senate very little is going to happen, we all know that.

My rant is why we can't finally go to a vote that makes sense.

[banyon]

Originally Posted by Driving Wheel

It feels better than thinking that the American Public is gullible enough to be duped into actually re-electing that farce of a President.

Do you not know what the top rated TV shows are?

Idiocracy has beeen on its way for some time.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

No it is not pointless. It's a check and balance so states get representation. The president represents the nation as a whole. Abolishing the EC just throws elections to the cities. That's not representing the nation as a whole. The people's house is for that kind of popular representation.

This attitude stems from a lack of understanding of why our govt was formulated, not as a democracy, but a republic with the weakest branch being the presidential branch —intentionally. It has also led to more weight being placed on presidential elections as if one man holds all this power. Well, that there, is also due to too much powers taken by presidents. They don't, or are not supposed to even craft legislation. That power was usurped starting with Wilson a progressive. It's just not our form of govt.

That is BS.

The Consitution is impressive, but the notion that it is some perfect document is garbage. The mere fact that it was written at a time when some people weren't considered people is evidence of that.

[listopencil]

Rather than eliminate the Electoral College I'd do away with the "winner take all" system of assigning electoral votes.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

That is BS.

In your opinion.

The Consitution is impressive, but the notion that it is some perfect document is garbage. The mere fact that it was written at a time when some people weren't considered people is evidence of that.

"Perfect document" is a strawman argument. Not the argument made. Please read.

The fact that some were not considered people does not negate the entire document either. In FACT, it would have never been ratified and we'd still be under the Articles.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

That is BS.

The Consitution is impressive, but the notion that it is some perfect document is garbage. The mere fact that it was written at a time when some people weren't considered people is evidence of that.

It's not perfect but look at the terminology involved. When people finally dislodged their heads from their asses and applied the rules equally it worked.

[BucEyedPea]

I'd like to leave the Constitution alone. I prefer being a representational Constitutional Republic over making things more "democratic."

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by listopencil

It's not perfect but look at the terminology involved. When people finally dislodged their heads from their asses and applied the rules equally it worked.

I think the terminology is key for reading it to reflect the intentions of our Framers. That means defining terms in the vernacular of the time.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I think the terminology is key for reading it to reflect the intentions of our Framers. That means defining terms in the vernacular of the time.

Yes, true. When considering slavery versus the human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, legislators weaseled out of the issue by considering slaves to be less than human. As I recall the issue was brought up at the time and abandoned for political expediency.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Driving Wheel

Good point.

I live in MO, a 'red' state.

I hate Obama...but really didn't want to vite for Romney.

Knowing that MO would be 70% red, and therefore casting our electoral votes for Romney, I voted for Gary Johnson.

Then, Romney won MO, took the popular vote...but lost the election.

I'm stunned.

I'm not going to work today, not going to school, either.

**** this shit.

You can't be serious.......

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

You can't be serious.......

What's wrong with joining the Democratic party?

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Yes, true. When considering slavery versus the human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, legislators weaseled out of the issue by considering slaves to be less than human. As I recall the issue was brought up at the time and abandoned for political expediency.

Sometimes, things take more time to change. It was a thousand year practice. Yes, it was expedient, but the alternative was no Constitution either. That's just the facts. We don't live in a perfect world. Yet cosmos, made an argument based on perfection.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I dont understand why there isnt more of a push to abolish it? Especially since 2000 and the POTUS elections being so close.


I agree, its pointless. Theres this myth out there that a direct election would force the candidates to concentrate on only big cities, but how is that any different than what we have now where they only campaign in like 7 or 8 swing states? IN fact, id argue that the EC makes alot of voters stay home and not care, if they know their vote doesnt matter.

Ill take an election process with a TRUE "Every Vote Counts" any day of the week.

The Electoral College is a Joke.

Become a swing state. Stop voting for a single party every single time.

[underEJ]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Rather than eliminate the Electoral College I'd do away with the "winner take all" system of assigning electoral votes.

This is possible already if the state wants to. If you want your state to split electoral votes, get the legislature to change the rules like Maine and Nebraska. I don't know Nebraska's rules, but Maine the state winner takes the two common votes, and the winner of each district takes the district's vote.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by Driving Wheel

Good point.

I live in MO, a 'red' state.

I hate Obama...but really didn't want to vite for Romney.

Knowing that MO would be 70% red, and therefore casting our electoral votes for Romney, I voted for Gary Johnson.

Then, Romney won MO, took the popular vote...but lost the election.

I'm stunned.

I'm not going to work today, not going to school, either.

**** this shit.

Wait...do you think Romney won the popular vote?

And why are you stunned? How do people not understand how presidential elections work?

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by underEJ

This is possible already if the state wants to. If you want your state to split electoral votes, get the legislature to change the rules like Maine and Nebraska. I don't know Nebraska's rules, but Maine the state winner takes the two common votes, and the winner of each district takes the district's vote.

Yup. My bro lives there.