Posted by
apriolo on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 4:57:29 PM
Steve Farrell's article "In Defense of the Electoral College" discusses the fairness of the Electoral College and reasons why "it ought to be left alone". He proves that throughout history a system of majority rules has failed time and time again. His examples date all the way back to ancient Israel and continue to include recent Presidential elections.
"By a majority (unanimous) vote, Christ was convicted and sentenced to death." TRUE
"By majority vote, the British House of Commons soundly rejected Thomas Jefferson's proposal to abolish slavery in colonial Virginia." TRUE
"By majority vote, in the early and mid 1800's, the institution of slavery continued and spread to new states as they joined the Union." TRUE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_civil_war
"By majority vote (of Southern States), the South seceded, state by state, initiating a civil war, the bloodiest war in U.S. history and the beginning of the end for states' rights." TRUE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_civil_war
In my own opinion, I believe that the E.C. is a near flawless design set with many redundant contingencies to prevent any kind of foul play with the voting. "If it's not broken.. don't fix it" is a saying that fits well in this situation of considering keeping or removing the E.C. from how we elect our President. One man, one vote is a system that would only cause a downward spiral from the Federal Government on down because there is the possibility that the majority will vote for the wrong person. The wrong person being someone lacking experience, or just a wack-o liberal with no priorities except their own tree hugging self interests. It takes a specific type of individual to be a President and the majority can not be held accountable to make this decision on their own. The Electoral College is the way it is, whether it lacks integrity somehow or when it seems it failed, it is the way it is and we support it.
The original article can be found in three parts using the following links:
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/021031electorial1.html (Part 1)
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/021104electorial2.html (Part 2)
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/021107electorial3.html (Part 3)