Posted on Nov 17, 2016
The Troubling Reason the Electoral College Exists
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From the article:
At the Philadelphia convention, the visionary Pennsylvanian James Wilson proposed direct national election of the president. But the savvy Virginian James Madison responded that such a system would prove unacceptable to the South: “The right of suffrage was much more diffusive [i.e., extensive] in the Northern than the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of Negroes.” In other words, in a direct election system, the North would outnumber the South, whose many slaves (more than half a million in all) of course could not vote. But the Electoral College—a prototype of which Madison proposed in this same speech—instead let each southern state count its slaves, albeit with a two-fifths discount, in computing its share of the overall count.
So.. are we going to ignore the reason behind the reason why the EC exists? I don't think it should be abolished, but it definitely needs an update as SLAVERY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND ANYMORE.
At the Philadelphia convention, the visionary Pennsylvanian James Wilson proposed direct national election of the president. But the savvy Virginian James Madison responded that such a system would prove unacceptable to the South: “The right of suffrage was much more diffusive [i.e., extensive] in the Northern than the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of Negroes.” In other words, in a direct election system, the North would outnumber the South, whose many slaves (more than half a million in all) of course could not vote. But the Electoral College—a prototype of which Madison proposed in this same speech—instead let each southern state count its slaves, albeit with a two-fifths discount, in computing its share of the overall count.
So.. are we going to ignore the reason behind the reason why the EC exists? I don't think it should be abolished, but it definitely needs an update as SLAVERY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND ANYMORE.
The Troubling Reason the Electoral College Exists
Posted from time.com
Slavery
Voting
Government
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 10
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Nice opinion piece.
http://www.historycentral.com/elections/Electoralcollgewhy.html
You are cherry picking historical facts in an effort to make your specific point. While slavery was a part of every decision back then, it was not the only (or even best) reason for the EC. Having a set ticket does not do away with voters ignorance, which is why it was not changed. The 12th amendment didn't create the 2-party system we have like that author stated. There were quite a few elections after that had more than 2 tickets (1824 comes to mind).
Also, the "Republicans", or more accurately anti-Federalists, that he talks about were actually Democratic Republicans and later became the Democrats.
http://www.historycentral.com/elections/Electoralcollgewhy.html
You are cherry picking historical facts in an effort to make your specific point. While slavery was a part of every decision back then, it was not the only (or even best) reason for the EC. Having a set ticket does not do away with voters ignorance, which is why it was not changed. The 12th amendment didn't create the 2-party system we have like that author stated. There were quite a few elections after that had more than 2 tickets (1824 comes to mind).
Also, the "Republicans", or more accurately anti-Federalists, that he talks about were actually Democratic Republicans and later became the Democrats.
Why the Electoral College
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CPT Pedro Meza
PFC Jim Wheeler - Jim, you have just pointed out that our Constitution has been evolving to keep up with the times, and it times for the Electoral College go be abolished.
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CPT Pedro Meza
PFC Jim Wheeler - The issue of abolishing the Electoral College is and issue that should be decided by the nation because it requires amending the US Constitution, and all whom are willing to vote for or against will have the say so; majority rule.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Funny how the Electorial college only comes up when your candidate looses. The EC is designed to protect the Smaller States by giving them more votes than just population (2 senator seats) Without it the Constitution would never have been ratified and States like Wyoming/Vermont/Utah/Rhode Island. Will never support it's abolition because it removes any appeal for candidates to value their state as only the largest states would matter.
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this is going to be a source of contention for many years... but this was a wise decision... as in this case It prevents the folks in 17% of the Nation telling the Folks in the rest of the 83% what to do...
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1LT Aaron Barr
SGT Efaw (Mick) G. - That's true but also bear in mind that the non-urban parts of our nation also produce the overwhelming bulk of the food, raw materials and energy without which the cities wouldn't survive.
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