Obamas' policies ?

[observer]

Seems logical Mary, but I believe both Houses have resisted such attempts todate. Common sense would suggest that the Federal Executive should be elected by the popular national vote; the interests of the States can be protected by the Senate and Representatives.

[Mary]

At the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Plan used as the basis for discussions called for the Executive to be elected by the Legislature. Delegates from a majority of states agreed to this mode of election.

 

However, a committee formed to work out various details, including the mode of election of the President, recommended instead that the election be by a group of people apportioned among the states in the same numbers as their representatives in Congress (the formula for which had been resolved in lengthy debates resulting in the Connecticut Compromise and Three-fifths compromise), but chosen by each state "in such manner as its Legislature may direct."

 

Committee member Gouverneur Morris explained the reasons for the change; among others, there were fears of "intrigue" if the President was chosen by a small group of men who met together regularly, as well as concerns for the independence of the Office of the President. Though some delegates preferred popular election, the committee's proposal was approved, with minor modifications, on September 6, 1787.

 

In the Federalist Papers No. 39, James Madison argued that the Constitution was designed to be a mixture of state-based and population-based government. The Congress would have two houses, one state-based (Senate) and the other population-based (House of Representatives) in character, while the President would be elected by a mixture of the two modes, giving some electoral power to the states and some to the people in general. Both the Congress and the President would be elected by mixed state-based and population-based means.

 

The name Electoral College is not given in the United States Constitution, and it was not until the early 1800s that it came into general usage as the designation for the group of citizens selected to cast votes for President and Vice President. It was first written into Federal law in 1845.

 

A little history on it for you Observer!

[observer]

Thanks Mary, but I did some research too, before I started waffling on about it! They did an experiment in N/York, by showing folk extracts from the US Constitution, and asking them where the quotes were from; most respondants thought it was a Communist Manifesto!

[Mary]

That does not surprise me - people are much more interested in their favorite sports team than their history or government. That is why the government gets away with so much!!

[observer]

Perhaps the lack of an educated electorate makes democracy a dangerous instrument in this volatile world?!

[Mary]

You seem to understand how history goes - when a civilization goes from the basics( food, clothing, shelter, water) to have too much the civilization eventually decays. I realize that is a simplistic way of putting it - but look back at the history and you will find that man really is his own worst enemy.

[observer]

Seems greed supercedes need and results in warped priorities!

[Mary]

I think it always has and always will - but that does not stop me from caring for others and doing my best to be kind.

[observer]

Full marks Mary; but that doesn't seem to be the attitude of most folk, especially in the USA. IMO they have a childlike and naive outlook, generous natured on a personal level and patriotic - but seem to forget that a Nation consists of it's people, and it's upon how we treat them that we are judged. I think the US Rangers have a saying "no man left behind" on the battlefield - if that were applied to the National family - you wouldn't have 20% living below the poverty line, and problems with universal health care and taxation. Were just as bad over here btw, but perhaps a tad more cynical!