The Republic: Dangling By A Thread
By Henry Lamb
December 22, 2008
Page 2 of 2
The genius of the Electoral College designed by the founders is that it provides at least a degree of check and balance against the nation being perpetually led by a President chosen by urbanites. The Electoral College requires candidates to be aware of, and concerned about the desires of all states, not just the states with the largest populations.
This is not a small or insignificant matter. George W. Bush was elected with 271 Electoral College votes in 2000, while Al Gore received a majority of popular votes. This outcome demonstrates the need for a candidate to appeal to all states, not just population centers. Of course, Gore supporters, outraged by the loss, called for an end to the Electoral College. Had the numbers and the outcome been reversed, Gore's supporters would have loved the Electoral College, and Bush's supporters would have called for its end.
It is essential that the President of the United States never be the choice of one segment of the population, or a "faction," as James Madison feared. The president must represent the broadest possible range of ideas and concerns of Americans all across the varied landscape.
As frustrating as gridlock and partisan politics may be, it is a process that serves as an anchor to slow the abuse of political power. This process has been known to spawn compromises that rise up as better ideas than either side could produce alone. It is the process envisioned and created by America's founders. It is the system that made America the greatest nation on earth. It is a system that must not be tossed aside lightly, simply because a segment of the population or "faction" may find it inconvenient.
America is not a Democracy, nor was it designed to be. America is a federal republic. The structures that make it so must be guarded and protected. The Electoral College is the foundation of this structure -- and it is dangling by a thread.
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Henry Lamb is the Chairman of Sovereignty International , and founder of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO).
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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