![]() |
| Welcome to Religious Forums |
| Welcome Guest to ReligiousForums.com . You are currently not registered. When you become registered you will be able to interact with our large base of already registered users discussing topics. Some annoying Ads will also disappear when you register. Registering doesn't cost a thing and only takes a few seconds. We provide areas to chat and debate all World Religions. Please go to our register page! |
|
|||||||
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
|
We the people vote on a slate.
Each slate is represented by an electoral college chose by that slate. But that electoral college representative doesn't have to vote for that slate. So does our vote really count? |
|
#2
|
||||
|
||||
|
If I am not mistaken, the requirement for electors to follow the popular vote is regulated by state law; and the requirements differ from state to state.
While we are not a direct representive democracy, the system has worked and is still (relatively) working. I would be much happier though, if I felt that any of the candidates for national office actually represented my views. That rarely happens. I am usually voting against a particular candidate, rather than for one.
__________________
Unless we each conform, unless we obey orders, unless we follow our leaders blindly, there is no possible way we can remain free. Major Frank Burns, MASH 4077 Namaste, Engyo |
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
|
What I can't understand is why you don't have proportional representation - why couldn't Nader and Gore form a coalition government with their majority? The way you have it now, it's not the majority that wins, its the party with the most votes; meaning that each party's program is so broad it's almost meaningless. Although, the primaries might make up for this somewhat.
|
|
#4
|
||||
|
||||
|
Alaric -
We do have proportional representation - in the House of Representatives. We don't have it in the Executive Branch. The Senate has equal representation state-by-state (2 votes each). For all the noise made about all of this, as rulers go (historically), the US President has fairly limited powers. He can't initiate legislation, he can only suggest it. He can veto legislation, but the Congress can override him. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but he does not have the power to declare war on his own. At the time this system was laid out, I don't believe there were many (any?) parliamentary democracies of the type you describe. Primarily this design was in response to British limited monarchy and the effects the colonists had felt from that system. There were also great differences in education and literacy levels, communication and mass media technology, and so on. Unfortunately, once these kinds of things are enshrined, they quickly become entrenched and crusted over to the point that the effort required to change them is prohibitive (as long as the populace remains relatively satisfied).
__________________
Unless we each conform, unless we obey orders, unless we follow our leaders blindly, there is no possible way we can remain free. Major Frank Burns, MASH 4077 Namaste, Engyo |
|
#5
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
He can't initiate legislation, but as you said, he can suggest it. He also has the unofficial power of patronage: "Hey, if you do this for me I'll do this for you." Furthrmore, he has the ability to veto legislation, and thus the THREAT of a veto can force Congress to do what he wants. He cannot declare war on his own, but he CAN commit our troops to a conflict for 90 days without the permission of Congress (War Powers Resolution). And a lot of damage can be done in 90 days... He can also undermine the justice system by pardoning criminals (any criminals he wants), temporarily stopping a sentance (this is called a repreves, right?) or reducing sentences.
__________________
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stomping on a human face -forever.-GEORGE ORWELL |
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
|
eww this topic could go on and on and on. But I dont belive that we the people have any say so in how the president is elected. But we do when it comes to state and municiple candidacy.
|
![]() |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |