There is no greater force than an idea whose time as come.

I disagree. The whole purpose of the Executive Branch is to do what Congress wants them to do, as ordered by the laws Congress passes. The Executive Branch is a effectively the mechanism through which the will of Congress is carried out. The Executive Branch may not break the law (in theory). It must act in accordance to the law, and it is Congress that makes the law. The Executive Branch has very few exclusive powers, and they are minor in nature. A veto can be overridden. Appointments may overruled.

If you decide to hire a construction company to build your house, you are like the Congress deciding what will happen and what it will be like. The construction company is like the Executive Branch, carrying out your will. And just as Congress doesn't concern itself with the technical nuts and bolts of carrying out their will, neither do you necessarily try to tell the framer how to hammer nails or the tell the electrician how to connect wires to power. You trust their expertise in those things. It is much the same relationship. But the bottom line is that you decided to build a house, and the construction company carried out your decision. The construction manager is like the President. He can give orders to the various subcontractors. He can hire and fire them. He has full authority over them, but he is not the boss over you. You are effectively the boss over him, because he has to build your house to your specifications, and it is you that is providing the funding for it.

So let's say the Congress appropriates money to build a new length of interstate freeway in Arizona. The President must spend that money on a new length of freeway in Arizona. He can't spend it on a bridge in Minnesota. The Congress has told the Executive Branch what to do, and the Executive Branch must do it to those specifications.

This is the role of the Executive Branch and to conduct the defense of the nation if called upon to do so.

So I think these people who want to do away with the EC do not understand the role of the Executive Branch. They are looking to exercise power, power that doesn't belong in the Executive Branch. I personally think that that is wrongheaded and potentially dangerous.

I blame Congress for a lot of it because they have willfully and knowingly ceded decision-making to the Executive and Judicial Branches. Why? Because making a decision entails political risk, and careerists are risk-averse. They place their re-election hopes above their duty to make decisions. But just because the Congress is the way it is doesn't mean that we, the People, should approve of it. What we need to do is fix Congress. Our problem is not how we elect a President. Our problem is the Congress.

It would take a constitutional amendment to get rid of the EC. But we would be far better off instituting a constitutional amendment imposing strict term limits on Congress, thereby returning the Congress to the People it is supposed to be serving.

Seth

 

Which still does not negate the fact that Hillary got 3 million more votes than trump no matter how much you want it too.

 

I think you would tire of the one party rule pretty quickly. If it happened I would consider moving abroad. Seriously.

 

Tell me why I should want to live in a democracy where the majority elieves I am deplorable, batshit crazy and scoffs at my legitimate concerns?

 

The same reason I live in, and love, one where the Minority manipulates control and runs the show.

 

What is that reason?

 

The EC is affirmative action for republicans.

 

The rules are the same for the democrats.

 

This version is easier to understand.



This is the sentiment AmeriCANs had for each other when I was young.

 

We don't need it.

 

Hilary proved we need it. She made multiple campaign trips to large states she would win anyway and did not campaign in the smaller states.

 

I believe that in the last 7 out of 8 elections for POTUS we Dems won the popular, repubs need the EC to get elected we don't.

 

I would always want the voting system be fair.

Right now, a Republican vote carries more weight than a democratic vote

What we need to do is get rid of winner take all in the EC.

That is doable.

 

Old debunked fairy tale.
The EC keeps the majority from walking all over minorities.
Thats the only thing you don't like about it.

 

She did not campaign in states not already favoring her and then she insulted republicans. And she expected to win with that combination? She needed a Kelly Anne Conway.

The way it works is that you win elections using the rules that exist, not the rules you wish exist.

 

Which still does not negate the fact that Hillary got 3 million more votes than trump no matter how much you want it too.

Takes 15 sec.

 

I think optimists and pessimists fulfill their own prophecies

 

And how is anyone supposed to campaign using the "rules" imposed by the madness of the Electoral College? "Vote for me, I'll disenfranchise the majority of you who live in a city in favor of people living on farms? We all know that empty spaces are more important than people in a democracy. "

That group who forged their "appointments" as Trump electors were campaigning exactly as Electoral College partisans should. Is that really how you think your President should be chosen?

 

You review what Hilary did and then do the opposite. Campaign in all states. Don't insult your opposition.

 

All three million from CA. And which doesn't matter a damn. It's like complaining that you were ahead at the hundred meter mark in an 800 meter race.

 

And then she would have still lost even though she had 5-10 million more votes instead of just 3 million more? Hillary campaigned just as she should have if she wanted to get the most votes, which she DID in actual fact. She lost by a statistical fluke which made no sense and can't be campaigned on.

Look back in our history. We've only had a good result once out of the 5 times the EC has beat the PV. the others were fair at best except for the one instance when the result was an unmitigated disaster and may still end up destroying our democratically based Republic. The FF were possibly the greatest group of genius statesmen ever assembled. but they ****ed up royally this time.

 

I seem to remember other democrats winning. Like I said, even we in fly over country deserve visits by candidates and we certainly don't want to be insulted by them.

 

How many seconds did it take the mods to remove your temper tantrum.

 

Which still does not negate the fact that Hillary got 3 million more votes than trump no matter how much you want it too.

Takes 15 sec.

 

And now Americans are divided into two peoples who despise one another. I am despicable according to Clinton. Why should I tolerate a President who despises me?