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Post by Guest on Jul 14, 2009 16:37:19 GMT -5
When did the US start using the electoral college. 2 When did the supreme court come into being.
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Post by silverfox on Jul 14, 2009 18:18:24 GMT -5
I am sure the grumpy professor already know the answer. Ha!
It started back when the constitution was just kickin' in. 1780's. It was taught by my 7th grade teacher that it was enacted because the voters were dumb and the congress knew everything. Thank goodness, as far as I can remember, no president has been elected by an electoral college that lost the popular vote.
I thought teach said all three branches began at the same time but went and did a little researching. All three branches of government began at the same time.
The American Flag waves in my yard every day when the weather permits. I find it hard to believe how well our constitution holds up. It was designed by geniuses. The checks and balances that our government provides allow everyone to have a voice, but still keep a lot of us just a little tee'd off!
Glad to see the young Grump perusing our site!
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Post by midmotrapper on Jul 14, 2009 18:21:32 GMT -5
The original idea was created at the Constitutional Convention, in 1787, and is embodied in Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution. However, the Electoral College was not written into law by name until 1854. Title 3 U.S. Code Subsect. 4.
The supreme court technically began in 1790 but did not move to Washington DC until 1800
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Post by silverfox on Jul 14, 2009 18:26:10 GMT -5
You rock, Midmo. Now I can act like an expert at the supper table tonite! My 12 year old will think I am a historian! Ha! Our three branch government has been here for a long time and isn't going anywhere for quite a while.
I think Professor Grump is trying to educate us a little!
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Post by Willie Mallard on Jul 14, 2009 19:12:18 GMT -5
We really saw how the electoral vote worked when Gore and Bush ran against each other. Midmo is the man when it comes to them rights always been impressed with the fact that he actually understands what he reads! He'll give it to you straight! Another person that knows laws well is Evertrap.
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Post by bigbob on Jul 14, 2009 19:21:38 GMT -5
Lack of communication and difficulty of travel is why the electoral College was formed. Each County would send delegates to the state convention which would send delegates to the national convention. They were supposed to vote the way the electoral bodies that sent them voted.
The whole process is antiquated and should be eliminated and go with the popular vote.
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Post by Guest on Jul 14, 2009 19:46:03 GMT -5
I agree bob!
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Post by midmotrapper on Jul 14, 2009 19:48:26 GMT -5
Sorry silverfox..I didn't see you had posted already before I went with it.. My bad.
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Post by silverfox on Jul 14, 2009 20:14:38 GMT -5
You good, Midmo, not bad. I learned from your post and my 12 year old almost dropped his roastin ear on the floor when I told him the real scoop. The electoral college is controversial but really does not make a lot of difference these days. It gives tiny states a little more power, but not much more. I think we are ready to begin popular vote, but we have bigger fish to fry before we start skinnin' and cookin' the minnows. I salute every person who has dedicated their lives to upholding the constiution in the political arena. I couldn't do it. I taught for three decades and put up with a lot of challenges but would not have the patience to deal with the Washington crowd.
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Post by silverfox on Jul 14, 2009 20:34:32 GMT -5
Sounds to me like Grumps is making your drive him out to dinner and pay the bill!! Ha! I never forget those kinds of nights either!
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Post by evertrap on Jul 14, 2009 21:26:08 GMT -5
Electoral College is where you go to learn how to use a modern voting machine.  Seriously ... without the Electoral College we would have had Al Gore as our leader during the 9/11 attack. Think about that.  And, because of the Electoral College, Missouri did not help elect Obama. It's a good thing. |
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Post by mmaxwell on Jul 14, 2009 22:30:41 GMT -5
I agree with evertrap. The electoral college is a good thing.
If it was left to just the popular vote, the politicians would camp out in the large population areas buying votes... and we all know how the people in large population areas vote????
California and New York would pick the president in every election.
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Post by grumpy on Jul 15, 2009 5:08:35 GMT -5
Say for instance, the first time I visited Grumpy's, I can tell you almost everything we talked about, which streets we turned on to go eat, what we had, what the bill was, what the tip was, etc.. There was snow on the ground if that gives any idea of how long ago it was. bob: do you remember that "homely" waitress we had??  the grump. |
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Post by midmotrapper on Jul 15, 2009 5:37:58 GMT -5
Thats one part there is no way I could forget! She was also studying geometrical physics...LOL
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Post by bigbob on Jul 15, 2009 9:45:16 GMT -5
The only thing keeping the EC around is the "Good Ol'e Boy" network of free trips to the conventions and free booze/hotel rooms/hookers etc. They can tabulate the winners afew hours BEFORE the polls close now. One vote over 50% and the the whole state goes one way eliminating the wishes of the other 1/2.
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Post by hackworth on Jul 15, 2009 22:51:52 GMT -5
Which brings up another point. Thanks Bigbob. Why in the heck is it legal, and why do we need reporting on who is winning as soon as the polls close in any given state?
It ought to be ILLEGAL to report any states votes by ANYBODY until the day after the election. Reporting early returns affects other voters in other states. Motivates some, makes others stay home.
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Post by kiyitec on Jul 15, 2009 23:42:31 GMT -5
I think I recall there were some EC votes cast in the past that were not for the person they were sent to vote for. Someone jumped a fence somewhere.. I just can't remember who.... . EDIT: Faithless Electors www.fairvote.org/e_college/faithless.htm |
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