When evaluating the arguments raised on both sides it I believe that the Electoral College should be replaced by a national popular vote. An argument that exposes the weakness of the Electoral College and why it should be replaced by a national popular vote is because the ‘winner takes all’ system distorts the results of the elections. There have been various results in which the popular vote did not reflect the results of the Presidential election. A notorious example of how distorted results can be under the Electoral College is that of Bush and Al Gore in 2000. Though Al Gore won the popular vote by 48.4% Bush won the votes of the Electoral College which resulted in him winning the Presidential election.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, changed the method of voting in the Electoral College by requiring the electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President. (Originally, the electors voted for two candidates for President, with the runner-up becoming Vice President.) But the point of the amendment was to make party competition compatible with the separation of powers by securing the President's independence from Congress. Without that change in the Constitution, the power of electing the President effectively would have devolved from the people (represented indirectly in the Electoral College) to the House of Representatives, where ties between presidential and vice presidential candidates would be decided (as in 1800), and where all sorts of electoral mischief was
What were the names of the two major parties during this time? The two major parties of this time were the Democrats and the Whigs. 13. What were the names of the two major parties during this time period? How does the term GOP help us understand Republican philosophy during this time?
The House of Representatives and the Senate make up the two chambers of Congress in the United States. People elect both bodies during regular elections, usually held in November. Many have wondered why the United States Constitution calls for a bicameral approach to governance, thinking a single body would perfect the process of governing the people. The founding fathers that wrote the constitution and created Congress back in 1787 believed the power should be a shared process among all units of the government. The House incumbents and Senate seats are likely to change in the 2012 election with the impact of candidate characteristics, incumbents, money and primaries on race competitiveness.
The Green Party Versus the Democratic and Republican Parties The term “Politics” derives a varied response by the American People. In general, a person may term himself as either a Democrat or a Republican, but it is important to put the focus past these mainstream ideas. These two parties are not as different as many may believe, and one particular third-party comes to mind as a true democratic, “for the people” approach to domestic affairs. While looking at major issues such as universal health care, unions and wages, and global warming, one would notice that the stands taken by both the Democratic and Republican parties are very similar. The Green party stands for taking direct action.
Proponents of the UK and US voting methods also often cite the lack of a credible alternative as a reason for the retention of the current systems. In the UK, national elections are held when the incumbent government chooses to call an election. This differs significantly from the USA where political office is held on a fixed term basis. When a general election is called each constituency holds an election to decide their Member of Parliament (MP) using the first past the post system. If a party gains a majority it will be offered the chance to form government by the Queen.
He was nominated on the ballot thanks to the support of William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate. If all of the candidates were supporters of Progressivism, what were the issues? The three key issues of this election were how to deal with trusts, should women be able to vote, and should tariffs be used to protect trade in America. This book states, “Although the debates ranged widely, there were two general camps: (1) Those who argued for a small- scale, localized, producer-oriented
● How could a political idea based on small communities be applied to a new country as large as the U.S.? ● Classical Republicanism conflicted with natural rights. James Madison refined the ideas of classical republicanism “Father of the Constitution” ● Democracy: people administer the gov’t themselves ● “direct democracies” confined to small communities ● Republic: People’s representatives administer the government, covering a larger area. Madison ….. ● America should have a republican form of government ○ Laws made by representatives, elected by the people ○ Members should be elected by a large number of the people ○ Representative Democracy. How did the founders adapt the ideal of civic virtue to the American republic?
Some pay more attention than others, but they all have to consider the views of the folks back home. Congress is also organized primarily along party lines, so party membership is an important determinant of a member’s vote. Each party develops its own versions of many important bills, and party leaders actively pressure members to vote according to party views. It is not surprising that representatives and senators vote along party lines about three-fourths of the time. Finally, what if a representative or senator seriously disagrees with the views of his or her constituents on a particular issue?
Today in America we have two political parties who in which are constantly in competition, so that they may implement their own ideas and beliefs into our government. This feuding between political parties is nothing the U.S hasn’t seen since its beginning, starting with the First Party System’s rise and fall in 1789 through 1825. This time period is known as the time of the First Party System in American history. This started with a couple of recognizable figures on both sides from our country’s history; such as Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party going against the Democratic Republican Party led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. These two parties began as national politics but in order to gain more supporters they expanded to