The Electoral College

[downbeatplumb]

The one unique thing about America's constitution, is that it set up separation of powers, co equal branches of government, and even checks on the voters to prevent mob rule.

It is why in our history, despite what voters wanted, our SCOTUS has sided with the "right to petition the government for a redress of grievance", which means that the voters don't always get what they want. The fact that same sex marriage is law of the land now, is a direct result of petitioners challenging courts. There was a time when the thought of same sex marriage was unimaginable.

And we also have the power of impeachment, and the 25th amendment. 

I am torn on the electoral college. I hated the 2000 outcome as well as 2016. 

I can only speculate that the founders put in the electoral college to avoid a mob rule by majority. 

But before anyone rips me apart, my question for a long time, long before even becoming a member here, has been, "Ok, you don't like this, so if you don't like this, then what do you replace it with?"  I don't think it is as simple as saying, "Get rid of it". It also matters what you are going to replace it with.  

For or against, is not my question. But more to the point, that no matter what system you defend, remove or replace, still is run by human beings. And as long as humans seek power, any system can become corrupt/gamed. 

So while our Constitution is not perfect, I think the long term problem is corruption, not the Constitution itself. I think Trump is the problem not the Constitution. I think the GOP not willing to play fair is the problem.

 Proprotional reresentation taken by the count of votes of the whole country.

Or having the system in Australia where you have ranked voting.

[Rhizomorph13]

People who like the electoral college will point out that if you let majority rule then the coastal cities will decide all elections. Me, I do not understand why cows should get to vote. I DO understand the tyranny of the majority and I also understand that gerrymandering is a bitch, it is real, and the GOP is better at it than democrats.

[DeistPaladin]

People who like the electoral college will point out that if you let majority rule then the coastal cities will decide all elections. Me, I do not understand why cows should get to vote. I DO understand the tyranny of the majority and I also understand that gerrymandering is a bitch, it is real, and the GOP is better at it than democrats.

My counter to that is WITH the Electoral College, three swing states decide all the election outcomes. 

That assumes there's any validity to the nightmare scenario of hive-minded city voters all marching in lockstep formation to the polls in come vague, nefarious plot to oppress the farmers in middle America.

[Rhizomorph13]

People who like the electoral college will point out that if you let majority rule then the coastal cities will decide all elections. Me, I do not understand why cows should get to vote. I DO understand the tyranny of the majority and I also understand that gerrymandering is a bitch, it is real, and the GOP is better at it than democrats.

My counter to that is WITH the Electoral College, three swing states decide all the election outcomes. 

That assumes there's any validity to the nightmare scenario of hive-minded city voters all marching in lockstep formation to the polls in come vague, nefarious plot to oppress the farmers in middle America.

Lol, yeah, I don't think it would be so bad, but I'm pretty liberal.