Pissed off because Bush beat Gore in 2000 by the vote of the Electoral College, the left began looking for a way around the process. A college professor from Connecticut suggested that each state should simply pledge its electors to the winner of the national popular vote (the suggestion now known as the Connecticut Compromise). Since then, five blue state legislatures have enacted this into law: Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington. Massachusetts is poised to become number six. New York will probably be next. The Californoa legislature has tried twice, both times vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
But, thank goodness, the change can only take effect if the states that decide to go this route equal 270 electoral votes (enough to put someone over the top and into the Presidency). If all the above states decide for this option they total 147 electoral votes. The blue states that are left: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, do not have enough votes to bring the total to 270.
Our Founders knew that pure democracies always fail. (We’re supposed to be a Republic, remember.) A major intent of the Electoral College system is to protect states with small populations from the tyranny of the large states with the “majority” of the population.
Legally, I think, a Constitutional Amendment is needed to change the Electoral College. But this administration, and the left in general, cares nothing for the law. Ironically, states may change the way their electors vote if it benefits the power of the Democrats; the feds will not challenge them. But they may not enforce federal law if Democrats lose power and votes thereby – meaning the Arizona immigration law.
We must add another item to the list of things to bother our state and federal representatives about. (Sigh) You might think Indiana would never go that way – but what happens if the legislature which is now pretty well evenly divided, should tilt left? Another reason to know exactly who we are voting for in this and all future elections.
Freedom requires eternal vigilance!
Here are some links for more information:
National Review Online: Massachusetts, the Electoral College, and the Lessons of History
Boston.com: Massachusetts Legislature Approves Plan to Bypass Electoral College
Atlantic Wire: Who Needs the Electoral College?
Real Clear Politics: Electoral College Modification Gains Steam
