04-09-2018, 04:29 PM
(04-09-2018, 03:51 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: Removing the EC would certainly remove the perception of disenfranchisement in the presidential election. A side effect is it would curtail the electoral power of states with lower populations. I get the arguments against it, but I think the EC fits our system of government well, giving even small states (population wise) a significant voice in our elections. If you're talking about state legislatures and HoR seats being assigned by percentages of votes, I quite like the idea.
The EC is antiquated and undemocratic. It's based on the idea that the general populous would not know the candidates for the position and/or would be too dumb to make an informed decision, therefore they elected someone they would know better in order to make the decision for them. It's not relevant anymore. The idea that it was intended to give small states more say is getting things confused with the formation of our bicameral legislature. It was more to placate the slavery states, which were wealthier but would have a disadvantage in a popular election. Anyway, enough on that part.
To the other, proportional representation, that is exactly to what I am referring. People don't like the idea because they are concerned that they will lose the "personal touch" that a district representative would have. I contend that we have already lost it. I live in a district that is 3 hours away from DC and every so often we get our Rep around here. It isn't often, and when it is he shows up at a business, says some words to the press, and buggers off for a dinner with donors. Especially when it comes to the HoR, proportional representation just makes more sense and eliminates the issue of gerrymandering that is all over the news these days (at least for Congress). You can still have districts, still have local offices with staffers in them, but they work for the state's contingent in the HoR. They can be chosen proportionally by the representatives, as well.
Anyway, enough on this for now.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
