Velasquez 1

Gissell Velasquez

Professor Connie Douglas

ENG-112-01

2 May 2017

What keeps America Sane

Our country may be rich in goods, but we are poor in spirit. Richard Nixon describes

the mentality of America in just a few words. America through the never-ending opportunities we

forget one of the most prime, voting. Over the years, peoples spirits relating to voting have died

down, forgetting the difficulty this country surpassed to get that right. The fifteenth amendment

states the right to vote and how it cannot be denied. People lose sight of the system and the

purpose for which is was implanted. Over time people have become upset with the Electoral

College feeling their votes are not truly accounted for. The system has not changed over the

course of time only the ones that have believed in it. The Electoral College is a needed and

valuable tool still in 2017.

According to Michael Uhlmann, in the article The Electoral College Strengthens

Federalism discusses how we need Electoral system in place to maintain a balance. The

Electoral College has been in place for years to have a two-party system come together as one.

Each vote is accounted for and this helps not have only big states like New York or California be

the main ones voting who is elected president. In a poll taken including Rodney Dangerfield

many people did not show respect towards the Electoral College and would prefer a direct

election. The issue being citizens do not see how that would affect the smaller states with a vast

of voters wanting to be accounted for. As citizens feel their true voice being prevented from

making a choice they do not see how over the years it has caused more benefits versus
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disadvantages. They go into the intent being it was placed in our constitution to limit government

intentions and create an equal voting panel.

In a similar article, The Electoral College Prevents Majority Rule Walter E. Williams

a professor at George Mason University and writer of many books involving our economy

discusses more benefits of the system. Walter E. Williams explains how it levels the playing field

a bit in a political aspect. Though he does not state the popular vote is pushed to the side a bit he

does account for the best regards and intents of our system. The fear being a tyranny occurring if

the Electoral College were no longer in place and smaller states no longer having protection. The

conflict is if their chosen individual for office is not elected they shift more towards popular vote

not for beneficial reasoning but for bias purposes. The system has been in place for more than

200 years and has never been perfect but has definitely had the purpose of counting in everyones

votes.

Tara Ross defends the Electoral College as well explaining the founding fathers intended

for a republic not direct democracy. It has created stability over the years and more importantly

taken popular vote plus small states and found a balance in the middle to elect our presidents. As

the author of Enlightened Democracy: The Case for the Electoral College she talks about her

beliefs in our system, the way it has transformed over the years, and the deliberation of decision-

making. We have an organized system with federalist principles that shouldnt have to be

changed Tara argues. Even if the founding fathers leaned towards statements against democracy

they truly did support self-government which with our system is implemented to help not harm

votes.

In conclusion, the Electoral College is here to serve the people, the voters. It has been

here for generations and even if a few citizens disagree, it should stay. It has been a great tool of
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balance and it would be an injustice to not consider it relevant anymore. We should honor what

the founding fathers found right but also remember the importance it is to let smaller states have

a voice and everyone truly be included.

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Works Cited

Ross, Tara. "The Electoral College Should Not Be Abolished." Democracy, edited by Mike

Wilson, Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

Accessed 4 May 2017. Originally published as "The Electoral College: Enlightened

Democracy," Legal Memorandum, 2004.

Williams, Walter E. "The Electoral College Prevents Majority Rule and Should Not Be

Abolished." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2017. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context, Accessed 4 May 2017. Originally published as "Getting Rid of Electoral College

Would Mean a Tyrannical Rule of the Majority," The Daily Signal, 7 Dec. 2016.

Uhlmann, Michael M. "The Electoral College Strengthens Federalism." The Presidential

Election Process, edited by Tom Lansford, Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing

Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, ezproxy.cpcc.edu/login?

url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010508226/OVIC?u=centralp&xid=b6aeaf5d.

Accessed 4 May 2017. Originally published as "The Old (Electoral) College Cheer: Why

We Have It; Why We Need It," National Review, vol. 56, no. 21, 8 Nov. 2004, p. 28.