Original intent: the buzzwords for Republicans when it comes to appointing federal judges. We must adhere to the Constitution as it was intended, and as explained, at the time, by our founding dads. As explained, for one, in The Federalist Papers.
Which brings us to the Electoral College, created for the expressed purpose of preventing Donald Trump from becoming President of the United States. As I noted in a previous post:
... the Electoral College was designed to prevent the election of an authoritarian but superficial, conspiracy-promoting demagogue like Donald Trump. Citizens would, the framers agreed, elect a handful of people specifically tasked with choosing a president. Those sober men, removed from “tumult and disorder,” “heats and ferments” would name “a man ... in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”...In these times, there's no doubt that, were electors to do their job according to original intent, two things would happen: first, Trump would be rejected, and, second, those people currently condemning the handful of stupid riots that occurred after the election would be rioting riots unlike any riots we've seen rioted. So I have mixed feelings, and fears.
On the other hand, what's the point of the electoral college, if not to act in the way it was intended? Certainly, it's come to be understood entirely differently from back in the day; but if it's only purpose today is to make it possible for the winner of the popular vote to lose the election, how is it fulfilling its designated role? Seems to me, either we switch to popular vote and eliminate the electoral college entirely, or we return to the Hamiltonian concept, wherein the "general election" is about states selecting people specifically tasked with choosing a president, and not in any way about "the people" voting directly. That, Americans, was the original intent.
If ever there were a situation like that envisioned by Alexander Hamilton, we're in it. If Donald Trump's specific and obvious deficiencies for the job weren't enough, we have evidence that his election was facilitated (to an unknown extent, admittedly) by a hostile foreign power, with which he has known and unknown entanglements; and he's larding his administration with people who stand to benefit greatly (and already have) from cozying to that foreign power.
Could the Republic hold if electors behaved like electors and dumped Trump and the deplorables he's bringing in? If this isn't the time to find out, what is? As CPP said in one of his longest and most serious dissertations, we've been told we had to move on when Nixon committed treason and other crimes, when Reagan committed treason and other crimes, when Cheney/Bush committed treason and war crimes (although we did pause long enough to impeach Clinton for lying about a blow-job). Is there a point at which in "moving on" we leave too much behind?
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* The post title is a reference to "The Senior Song" from my alma mater.
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I think that you have an excellent start for one of your Herald columns, Sid. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteMatter of fact, I had that in mind. The problem with a weekly column is there's so many topics from which to choose, and by the time I write them, they're old news. So I've been thinking to put stuff on the blog that I've been stockpiling, and maybe republish them as columns if they're still relevant at some point.
ReplyDelete"In these times, there's no doubt that, were electors to do their job according to original intent, two things would happen: first, Trump would be rejected, and, second, those people currently condemning the handful of stupid riots that occurred after the election would be rioting riots unlike any riots we've seen rioted. So I have mixed feelings, and fears."
ReplyDeleteThis country has survived a civil war once. We'll do it again.
If any alt right bunker dwelling hillbilly wants to bang? I'm down...If the same wee handed tunnel monkeys wants to take on the full might of the Marine Corps, come get some. I should warn, to be sporting, The Seamen and women (all gay) *snickers*,,,Airmen and women (All gay with the prestigious, mile high club badge), Soldiers both men and women (all gay, of course) will be joining the USMC (All Strait, with a couple transgender) and lastly, Coast Guard. (Pronounced "Jina") are all down too.
Guarding a recruit depot or National Parks and road block school buses full of kids and begging for snacks is a wee bit different than actually being at war. Overwhelmed by the colorful gay military. Pretty humiliating, if you are a bunker dweller that is. It's a whole other thing.
This country needs a good dust up IMO.
The news is certainly churning with worrisome and even alarming revelations. The way things are shaping up I am sure that the story yet to come, "How the Electoral College Failed to Protect Our Democracy", will have legs long after the votes are cast. It may be a better to save a draft that simply requires the latest disastrous details. The difficult part would be picking a point to publish. Now that, as Trump would say, is sad.
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ReplyDeleteI hear ya brother. It's time to save America during its time of need. The E. College needs to do it's sworn duty.
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It's always been my contention he'll be impeached and our old pal Barrack Hussein Obama will be on the other end of the sharp part wearing a ninja suit.
ReplyDeleteOur hero has one thing Drumpf will never have...A Constitutional scholar. The author of Obamacare. After 50 years+...Obama pushed it through and got it done. "A big fing deal"...
We also have the ace in the hole. Chief Justice Roberts. He has a legacy, and dialing back peoples rights and rigging the system is not a partisan issue. Scalia dying was also a 'big fing deal' That black guy speaks it turns out. I had no idea...I thought he was a deaf and mute. Here I was so proud of Americas progressive push. A black deaf,mute Sooper Judge. I thought he had done something amazing!
Turns out he's a black dude who hears, speaks and has an opinion.
Somethin' is bubbling up and it ain't gonna be pretty. Drumpf loves to sue and be sued. The pacifists (geh) blue team is gonna put the brakes on the whole 4th Reich thing. Just like Sharia Law. It ain't happening. To those who catch wood listening to info wars. Good luck on all that roadblock stuff and whatever open carry wonderland you'll inhabit. If you are waiting for the gun snatchers, it's gonna be a long, long, long wait. I mean...a very long time. Like 'not in your lifetime' long time. Just stop buying freeze dried food and Drumpf water in a can. "It's water, I guarantee it!" is their motto.