2016 Postmortem

sl8

(16,245 posts)

105. If the Great Compromise is a good idea for our legislative representation, why not for our executive

Thu Nov 24, 2016, 10:13 PM

Nov 2016

Last edited Fri Nov 25, 2016, 01:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Our legislative representation reflects a compromise between equal representation per state and equal representation per voter - why should the selection of the executive be different?

I understand why the folks that think we should do away with Senate want to switch to a Presidential popular vote - their selection method for representation is consistent for both branches. I'm not sure I understand why somone that's content with the Conneticut Compromise for our leglislature wouldn't be content with the equivalent for our executive branch.

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For those calling for the abolishment of the electoral college, here is one simple question. [View all] Exilednight Nov 2016 OP

Yes I would be concerned. JHan Nov 2016 #1

No. Because TRUMP. boston bean Nov 2016 #2

4 times to Democrats JonLP24 Nov 2016 #100

If Clinton had won the electoral college but not the popular vote I would have the same conerns etherealtruth Nov 2016 #3

I agree with one person equals one vote... BUT Exilednight Nov 2016 #4

It is actually more complex than that ... it is not simply people choosing not to vote etherealtruth Nov 2016 #11

1! eom BlueMTexpat Nov 2016 #73

Yes. Every vote should have the same weight. athena Nov 2016 #5

So, if Hillary had won the EC but lost the popular vote ... you would still be crying foul? Exilednight Nov 2016 #6

Yes, I would. athena Nov 2016 #8

There's a few factual inaccuracies. Exilednight Nov 2016 #10

That's misleading. athena Nov 2016 #13

It does matter. Exilednight Nov 2016 #15

You confusing the way one wins the EC with the way one would win the popular vote. athena Nov 2016 #24

Those votes from California can't "come from anywhere". Exilednight Nov 2016 #37

Your logic is flawed etherealtruth Nov 2016 #20

A straight up popular vote is not going to change the problems we currently face with the EC. Exilednight Nov 2016 #70

Again, your reasoning is flawed etherealtruth Nov 2016 #98

How many states do you think candidates campaign in now? Statistical Nov 2016 #66

Approximately the same amount. That's the point. It would probably change nothing, but it could Exilednight Nov 2016 #67

Well I would point out that is the point of the Senate AND House. Statistical Nov 2016 #68

Assuming you're correct, here's my next question: How do you change it? Exilednight Nov 2016 #72

It can be bypassed with an interstate compact. In fact 11 states totalling 165 votes already have Statistical Nov 2016 #74

Article 10 Section 1 would negate it. Exilednight Nov 2016 #78

There is no Article 10? Statistical Nov 2016 #83

I meant Article 1 Section 10. My mistake. Exilednight Nov 2016 #85

Agreed it *may* need Congressional approval however that is still far easier (simple majority) ... Statistical Nov 2016 #89

It takes 60 votes in the Senate. Exilednight Nov 2016 #92

There is no way to hold or remedy a faithless state, the constitution TheKentuckian Nov 2016 #117

If the Great Compromise is a good idea for our legislative representation, why not for our executive sl8 Nov 2016 #105

Get Real Stargleamer Nov 2016 #114

Yes, the person who received the most votes should win. One man one vote. Otherwise why bother: onecaliberal Nov 2016 #7

One person, one vote. athena Nov 2016 #9

I don't think it should be abolished...just updated... TCJ70 Nov 2016 #12

This is the best response thus far. I agree. Exilednight Nov 2016 #14

If the EC is going to stay SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #16

I would actually reform it to equal voter turnout. Exilednight Nov 2016 #17

Excellent idea! n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #23

In theory yes, but gerrymandering means that congressional districts Persondem Nov 2016 #33

Agree SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #35

If that were the case customerserviceguy Nov 2016 #43

Popular vote would be better, no doubt SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #45

As I see it customerserviceguy Nov 2016 #46

No, the House size needs to be increased to increase the EC Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #118

This!!!! AgadorSparticus Nov 2016 #19

As I posted below National Popular Vote Interstate Compact etherealtruth Nov 2016 #28

If the people who are harmed by a unfair situation marybourg Nov 2016 #18

Very good question in the opening post. anamnua Nov 2016 #21

The best solution in my mind is National Popular Vote Interstate Compact etherealtruth Nov 2016 #22

I don't have a problem with that either SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #25

I am sure there would be challenges but I am not so sure they would prevail etherealtruth Nov 2016 #27

If it ever got used customerserviceguy Nov 2016 #44

i do imagine it ... I think the Republicans will have to lose the presidency despite ... etherealtruth Nov 2016 #47

I don't see it that way ... I think a majority of Americans would embrace a direct democratic vote etherealtruth Nov 2016 #102

California and New York were among the first states to enact the National Popular Vote Compact etherealtruth Nov 2016 #113

And that's why I picked them as examples customerserviceguy Nov 2016 #121

Having the majority (plurality in both examples) of a country voters ignored because etherealtruth Nov 2016 #122

This compact customerserviceguy Dec 2016 #125

I have always been agains the EC louis c Nov 2016 #26

Yes. DavidDvorkin Nov 2016 #29

I've always thought the EC should be abolished, way before this campaign even started. DanTex Nov 2016 #30

yes Akacia Nov 2016 #31

What's the point of asking? You have already defined no. Lint Head Nov 2016 #32

No but if we didn't have the EC it wouldn't happen. When was the last time a Democrat won the EC doc03 Nov 2016 #34

He electoral college is an anti-democratic anachronism that should be abolished (but won't) Skinner Nov 2016 #36

The reason I pose this question is to get people to look past their own bias. Exilednight Nov 2016 #50

Yes she won the popular vote, but no she shouldn't be president. Skinner Nov 2016 #55

I agree that we should reform the system. The next step is: How? Exilednight Nov 2016 #63

No because it did the job it was intended to do. libtodeath Nov 2016 #38

Should we not have fought WWII against Nazism just because Hitler was legally appointed Chancellor? baldguy Nov 2016 #39

Yes we should have fought Nazism, but Hitler was attempting to exterminate an entire race. Exilednight Nov 2016 #53

Just wait. They already have the legal framework planned out. baldguy Nov 2016 #54

Not buying it HipHipHillary Nov 2016 #40

Hillary won the popular vote, lapucelle Nov 2016 #60

You're projecting. That is the way most Republicans think. Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #130

Your premise doesn't work with me. TheLibIn615 Nov 2016 #41

I love this question, because we all know the answer is no. We want to win rather than change realmirage Nov 2016 #42

these are the questions I try to ask myself, and sometimes I admit I'm inconsistent. JCanete Nov 2016 #48

The electoral college isn't fair no matter who wins or loses. Vinca Nov 2016 #49

I would not be mad, but I would concede that it was unfair. Chemisse Nov 2016 #51

NO Motley13 Nov 2016 #52

No and yes, respectively. Donald Ian Rankin Nov 2016 #56

If Hitler v.2 had lost the electoral vote. I would say buhbye to Hitler v.2 Madam45for2923 Nov 2016 #57

What is the point of this? Charlotte Little Nov 2016 #58

What is your opinion? kcr Nov 2016 #59

I believe the EC has a purpose, but I also believe it needs to be reformed. Exilednight Nov 2016 #64

You don't think Hillary already knows how it works? kcr Nov 2016 #76

I'm not going to presume to know what Hillary does or does not know. Exilednight Nov 2016 #80

No. You're just going to hint she doesn't know something. That's better, I guess. n/t kcr Nov 2016 #86

Yes that would taint treestar Nov 2016 #61

If we won this time? No, of course not. But I'd call for the abolishment of it after that, though. mtnsnake Nov 2016 #62

yep rurallib Nov 2016 #65

I have been against the electoral college since the 90's. musicblind Nov 2016 #69

I don't think everyone is a hypocrite. You're only a hypocrite if you answer no and then go on some Exilednight Nov 2016 #75

We need to make it go away. musicblind Nov 2016 #79

Republicans control both chambers, the presidency and soon the SC not to mention most governorships Exilednight Nov 2016 #82

We aren't, that's why I support the state level nationalpopularvote.com movement. musicblind Nov 2016 #87

You're talking about the interstate compact. Exilednight Nov 2016 #90

They aren't making a pact with other states. musicblind Nov 2016 #93

A lawyer could argue, and a right leaning SC would probably agree, that this is an illegal compact Exilednight Nov 2016 #99

I don't think they should abolish the electoral college, but they need to update it NoGoodNamesLeft Nov 2016 #71

Nice try. BlueMTexpat Nov 2016 #77

Yep. Good point. JHan Nov 2016 #81

there's zero hypocrisy in wanting to abolish the electoral college *going forward* unblock Nov 2016 #84

I agree, there is nothing wrong with being against the EC, but there is much hypocricy on this board Exilednight Nov 2016 #88

well, it's not going to reverse trump's election, but it's not futile either unblock Nov 2016 #91

Politics brings out the hypocrisy in many of us. FBaggins Nov 2016 #94

Ha ha. JPR slime are suddenly in love with the EC after a year of bitching endlessly about superD's Maru Kitteh Nov 2016 #95

This is correct. (nt) betsuni Nov 2016 #96

Who said anything about bering for the EC. Exilednight Nov 2016 #104

Ha ha. No you're a puppet. No you're the puppet. azmom Nov 2016 #109

I opposed the EC since 2000 JonLP24 Nov 2016 #97

For those trying to frame DU'ers as hypocrites, one simple question. emulatorloo Nov 2016 #101

Well, gosh. If YOU'RE not interested, why did the rest of us even dare to think that we Squinch Nov 2016 #103

Go back and please read what I posted. Exilednight Nov 2016 #106

I read it just fine, thanks. Squinch Nov 2016 #107

Then we will agree to disagree about how you understand my question. Happy Thanksgiving. Exilednight Nov 2016 #108

I really don't think anyone who created the EC envisioned the system we have currently. moriah Nov 2016 #110

Well, to be fair, when they the created the EC there were only a handful of states. Exilednight Nov 2016 #115

Recounting the entire country would be chaotic MichMan Nov 2016 #111

Yes. potone Nov 2016 #112

Also would've carried more weight if the calls came before the election results oberliner Nov 2016 #116

i absolutely support abolishing the EC, no matter which loser benefits from it. nt TheFrenchRazor Nov 2016 #119

It is a "be careful what you wish for" proposition... annabanana Nov 2016 #120

"Abolition" kebob Nov 2016 #123

I would still call for the EC to be abolished. Ken Burch Nov 2016 #124

the EC has to go. It unfairly makes 1 Wyoming vote equal to 1000 California votes. putitinD Dec 2016 #126

First of all the EC isn't going to be abolished, but it should be. The popular vote, one person, still_one Dec 2016 #127

It is absolutely NOT a simple yes or no question. LisaM Dec 2016 #128

I'm in favor of abolishing the electoral college. Crunchy Frog Dec 2016 #129