2016 Postmortem

William Seger

(11,258 posts)

33. You're talking about federalism, which is a completely different topic

Mon Nov 28, 2016, 09:34 PM

Nov 2016

A republic is simply a form of government in which elected representatives exercise power in accordance with the rule of law. Democracy is built into both how representatives are selected and how those representatives make decisions, which is why saying "we're a republic not a democracy" doesn't really make sense.

Federalism is the two-level form of republic we have, with a division of powers between state and federal government, and with the federal government being superior. (A confederation would have the state government superior.) For some things, that may make sense. For selecting a president who is supposed to serve all the people, without regional or demographic bias, it's simply undemocratic that some people have more influence than others over the selection. Whatever reason you have for preferring that undemocratic situation, "we are not a democracy" doesn't work as a valid reason for not changing it.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

47 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Oh, holy shit: 2.25M votes, now! [View all] SpankMe Nov 2016 OP

you said it. MFM008 Nov 2016 #1

Humans were gifted with free will. Humans choose to create the EC, and to decide who to vore for lunamagica Nov 2016 #4

This cilla4progress Nov 2016 #2

A real tragedy, such an enourmous injustice happening openly in front of the world lunamagica Nov 2016 #3

Yes radical noodle Nov 2016 #17

I hate Trump and all, but the Electoral College is there for a purpose. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #5

Read it's history-it was set up out of fear of the masses Stargleamer Nov 2016 #8

I am aware of the history. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #23

WEll, nothing's perfect Stargleamer Nov 2016 #41

The EC is a brain dead system that values some votes over others ProfessorPlum Nov 2016 #9

I has a lot to do with being a republic Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #24

are you talking about federalism? Because "states" have nothing to do with the word republic ProfessorPlum Nov 2016 #43

A Republic is a representative democracy. James Madison, father of the Constitution, Eric J in MN Nov 2016 #10

At the LEAST, the electors should have to vote according to the percentage pangaia Nov 2016 #14

I'm aware of Madison's opposition. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #25

States already have a great deal of power in the Senate William Seger Nov 2016 #12

Brilliant summary Nonhlanhla Nov 2016 #22

Mine as well ProfessorPlum Nov 2016 #44

Which is why if the EC can't decide, it goes to the House. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #26

You're talking about federalism, which is a completely different topic William Seger Nov 2016 #33

We are both a republic and a democracy. Those are orthogonal questions Recursion Nov 2016 #13

The interesting thing is that the words here distract from the reality FBaggins Nov 2016 #15

We are a republic in that each sovereign state retained power as Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #27

One such purpose might be to NOT elect trump. Coyotl Nov 2016 #19

I would absolutely agree with you. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #28

It is Horrible NOW. Thr candidates campaigh in a few states and the rest get lunamagica Nov 2016 #21

Without it, 6-8 cities get all the attention. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #29

Yes, it was designed to protect the system of slavery in the rural south. pnwmom Nov 2016 #38

read the federalist 10. the reason for the ec was laid out right there--so that the niyad Nov 2016 #46

Federalist 10 is about factions (parties) being shitty. Goblinmonger Nov 2016 #47

A question -- are we still counting or is this the final tally? Farmgirl1961 Nov 2016 #6

Still counting and still unofficial resutls in some places. Coyotl Nov 2016 #35

It's like more salt just keeps pouring into the wound budkin Nov 2016 #7

Yep. The stench is getting stronger and stronger every day AgadorSparticus Nov 2016 #40

You said it blueseas Nov 2016 #11

Can't someone petition bucolic_frolic Nov 2016 #16

No Travis_0004 Nov 2016 #32

2,243,231 now, yesterday was 2,231,630 Coyotl Nov 2016 #18

It's not over yet. The Electoral College must take a founder's writing to heart. ancianita Nov 2016 #20

"Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity," anamandujano Nov 2016 #34

Any ideas on when the vote count will be finished? Likely before December 19th? Farmgirl1961 Nov 2016 #30

Can you imagine.. importDavid Nov 2016 #31

That can't happen at this point. She may reach a 2.5 million lead. Coyotl Nov 2016 #36

She won't because of the third party candidates. That's something Obama didn't pnwmom Nov 2016 #39

2.333M 48.2 - 46.5; 1.7% lead Dem2 Nov 2016 #37

She dominated the vote in the big cities oberliner Nov 2016 #42

She Should Be President colsohlibgal Nov 2016 #45