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Absurdity of the Electoral College:
Here's one nice thing we can now say about the Electoral College: it's slightly less harmful to our democracy than it was just days ago. In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that states have the right to "bind" their electors, requiring them to support whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote in their state. Justice Elena Kagan's opinion was a blow to so-called "faithless electors," but a win for self-government. "Here," she wrote, "the People rule."
Yet while we can all breathe a sigh of relief that rogue electors won't choose (or be coerced) into derailing the 2020 presidential contest, the Court's unanimous ruling is a helpful reminder that our two-step electoral process provides America with no tangible benefits and near-limitless possibilities for disaster. To put it more bluntly, the Electoral College is a terrible idea. And thanks to the Justices' decision, getting rid of it has never been easier.
[...] The Electoral College, in other words, serves no useful purpose, other than to intermittently and randomly override the people's will. It's the appendix of our body politic. Most of the time we don't notice it, and then every so often it flares up and nearly kills us.
[...] Justice Kagan's words – "Here, the People rule" – are stirring. But today, they are still more aspiration than declaration. By declining to make the Electoral College an even great threat to our democracy, the Court did its job. Now it's up to us. If you live in a state that hasn't joined the interstate compact, you can urge your state legislators and your governor to sign on. And no matter where you're from, you can dispel the myths about the Electoral College and who it really helps, myths that still lead some people to support it despite its total lack of redeeming qualities.
More than 215 years after the Electoral College was last reformed with the 12th Amendment, we once again have the opportunity to protect our presidential-election process and reassert the people's will. Regardless of who wins the White House in 2020, it's a chance we should take.
Would you get rid of the Electoral College? Why or why not?
Also at:
Supremes Signal a Brave New World of Popular Presidential Elections
Supreme Court Rules State 'Faithless Elector' Laws Constitutional
U.S. Supreme Court curbs 'faithless electors' in presidential voting
Supreme Court rules states can remove 'faithless electors'
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 13 2020, @06:46PM (4 children)
Democrats just can't admit they are the reason they lost.
Last I heard Hillary was blaming everyone else except herself for losing.
Is she still doing that?
Poor Bill.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday July 13 2020, @07:48PM (3 children)
That is a comfortable retreat for Republicans who just can't admit that their own actions are why we have Trump.
Free Clue: you're supposed to pick THE BEST candidate, not THE WORST.
Regardless of what the other party does.
But no, pick the most horrible human being there is, and blame the Democrats. It's all the democrats' fault.
Republicans: pick someone who is educated, understands how to govern, isn't controlled by obsession over ratings and the media.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 13 2020, @10:36PM (2 children)
their own actions are why we have Trump
Yeah, they won! I mean, really! The gall!
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @02:26PM (1 child)
Since they won, they should be proud of it. Not blaming the Democrats that we have Trump.
Or is it also the Democrats' fault that Republicans blame the Democrats for Trump being president?
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:59PM
No, you don't get it. I blame the democrats for not putting up somebody better, that is actually in opposition. The party leaders (financiers) are perfectly happy with Trump