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[JP_]

Neither of those are the Constitution, the EC was designed so the public had no say in choosing a president because rich white dudes know best. It has basically never been used for its designed purpose.

It's from the federalist papers... promoting the constitution. They're elaborating on why the EC is the way it is, according to the constitution, as they designed it.

It's not designed so that they just ignore the popular vote every time -- it's designed to prevent extreme cases that put the republic in danger.

 

[Veelk]

Your opinion is welcomed, but it's not going to be enough to go against the electoral process as it's established in this country.

There's a reason why Obama and Hillary are both conceding this civilly and recommending people move and and accept it.

No, I know it's not going to happen. I'm fully aware of the reality.

But we're living the nightmare scenerio here. It's the people who think this shouldn't happen because of democracy that anger and frighten me.

Yes, lets protect democracy by electing a fascistic demogogue to the highest power in the land. While we're at it, lets keep people healthy by injecting them with anthrax.

 

[Jarmel]

sounds like a great way to get people in wyoming or nevada or kansas to just stop voting and realize they aren't included in the governmental process whatsoever. Surely that won't end poorly.

That's why they have Senators that have votes worth more than their population proportionality.

 

[Ryan_09]

Signed and shared. I'm not expecting it to go through, but I want my voice to be heard that this was a poor decision on America's part, and to spread the word to not let this happen again.

 

[Night Angel]

It's from the federalist papers... promoting the constitution. They're elaborating on why the EC is the way it is, according to the constitution, as they designed it.

It's not designed so that they just ignore the popular vote every time -- it's designed to prevent extreme cases that put the republic in danger.

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

 

[The Technomancer]

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

Trump's third tweet as president elect is denigrating Americans exercising their right to protest

You really wanna see where we're going to be in 12 months? In 48?

 

[RainForce]

Has a change.org petition EVER succeeded?

 

[Vincent Alexander]

The sad thing is that if this happened, there would be a bloodbath. And I truly believe it. People would take up arms, and lash out. I don't know at who, but you can be damn sure they'd lash out in a rage.

 

[Moosichu]

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

Yeah. A lot of people will most likely die though.

 

[gamechanger87]

Ah, but no rules are being changed. They're there from the beginning and everyone knew, just like everyone knew about electoral votes. Faithless electors are a part of that same exact system and have been there since it took it's current form many years ago.

If you agree that both campaigns were run knowing the rule set, you have to accept that that rule set also includes faithless electors. Of course, that rule won't actually be invoked, but it's there and has been there and is no surprise to anything. Nothing's being changed; it's all a part of the same package that was there from the beginning of the race.

I know faithless electors are there and I'm not complaining about that. I'm complaining about the people who are trying to change the result and remove the EC because their candidate didn't win. They want straight popular now.

 

[JP_]

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

You seem to believe the US is somehow uniquely invincible for some reason. Countries can and do fall. US isn't special.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Trump's third tweet as president elect is denigrating Americans exercising their right to protest

You really wanna see where we're going to be in 12 months? In 48?

Make sure to vote in the midterms. And heck, keep pushing for the EC members to change their vote, which why are legally allowed to do. Just don't expect results on the latter.

 

[Veelk]

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

Out of curiosity, if a sexual predator, compulsive liar, fascistic authoritarian demogogue with no experience and such ignorance that he doesn't understand basic aspects of government and has demonstrated profound hatred for entire categories of people doesn't qualify as a danger to the republic to you, what would?

 

[Skellig Gra]

It's from the federalist papers... promoting the constitution. They're elaborating on why the EC is the way it is, according to the constitution, as they designed it.

It's not designed so that they just ignore the popular vote every time -- it's designed to prevent extreme cases that put the republic in danger.

Just like the 2nd amendment it needs to be viewed through the appropriate lenses. It was to prevent England from taking over again and dissolving the country. That is nothing like the case here where it's some clueless guy who will have some horrible policies.

 

[faisal233]

You seem to believe the US is somehow uniquely invincible for some reason. Countries can and do fall. US isn't special.

It will certainly fall if we change the outcome of the election.

 

[MisterHero]

Hillary won the popular vote. I'll take it.

However, it would be interesting to explore it at least once. How is it throwing the system away if the ability was always there?

 

[kirblar]

And thinking the republic itself is in danger shows how hyperbolized this shit has become.

Trump will be a shitty president. Having the republicans lead in all segments of government sucks. Neither will kill the USA.

The idea that things will always get better because of some higher authority? That's one of the biggest fallacies out there.

No one has our backs.

 

[Night Angel]

Out of curiosity, if a sexual predator, compulsive liar, fascistic authoritarian demogogue with no experience and such ignorance that he doesn't understand basic aspects of government and has demonstrated profound hatred for entire categories of people doesn't qualify as a danger to the republic to you, what would?

He is not a god-emperor. He cannot single-handedly destroy America. Hyperbole.

 

[Veelk]

It will certainly fall if we change the outcome of the election.

Even if that's true, then all that means to me is that doom is inevitable. In which case, I'd rather go down fighting.

 

[JP_]

Just like the 2nd amendment it needs to be viewed through the appropriate lenses. It was to prevent England from taking over again and dissolving the country. That is nothing like the case here where it's some clueless guy who will have some horrible policies.

What are you basing this on? Am I missing references to England in these quotes?

 

[NHarmonic.]

Yeah, screw it, let's just allow abortion to become illegal again, let's just rescind gay marriage, Trump won fair and square after all.

Fuck the environment, climate change isn't real anyway. Everyone should just stop whining.

Pretty much. Let's watch the world burn silently, thank you all.

I wonder how many more minorities will commit suicide, be killed or harassed. How many years we'll substract from the planet with the climate change-skeptics politics, how many more racists and racists-views will bloom everywhere around the world from this hate speech.

You fucked us all, usa. Thanks.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Even if that's true, then all that means to me is that doom is inevitable. In which case, I'd rather go down fighting.

Think, man! The Trump supporters have all the guns!

 

[MIMIC]

If you want to characterize it as rules and traditions, then only rules are legally binding, and traditions are what we make of them. I agree that not respecting the traditions could be the cause of significant protest (just as the EC and the popular vote splitting in 2000 was a cause of significant protest). I agree that in general the outcome that generates the least unrest is electors not being faithless. I just don't think there's anything inherently illegitimate with using powers you have under the election system, and it's weird to see people say "Respect the Electoral College Process... Except The Part Of The Process That You Shouldn't Respect".

Hell, if you really want to appeal to tradition, the VERY FIRST contested election (1796, Adams v. Jefferson) in the US almost swung the other way because of faithless electors. Even then everyone knew that was part of the game.

You know what? I say do it.

I still think it's wrong (and had a long post explaining), but fuck it. It's Trump. I think it goes against the very core of American democracy, but you know what? Trump himself is against the very core of democracy. So do it.

Spoiler

I may come back and change my mind, lol

 

[faisal233]

Even if that's true, then all that means to me is that doom is inevitable. In which case, I'd rather go down fighting.

Then you are on your own.

 

[Fracas]

nearly 1.6 million signatures good lord

 

[JP_]

He is not a god-emperor. He cannot single-handedly destroy America. Hyperbole.

By that logic, this EC design wouldn't be necessary in the first place and the founding fathers would have made electing the president a direct democracy. I'd be a lot less worried if dems had some control in congress, but I'm not sure why you expect republicans to put up much resistance to Trump. And the supreme court nominations will have consequences for decades after his presidency is over.

 

[Jarmel]

He is not a god-emperor. He cannot single-handedly destroy America. Hyperbole.

They have full control of the Senate/House/White House. They can damn near do whatever the fuck they want.

 

[blankempathy]

Even if that's true, then all that means to me is that doom is inevitable. In which case, I'd rather go down fighting.

Its scary how short sighted you are. Just because you think yours is a just cause does not mean its the right choice. You'd rather burn this country down than have Trump in office. Whats wrong with you? That includes the people you're righting for as well.

 

[Veelk]

He is not a god-emperor. He cannot single-handedly destroy America. Hyperbole.

No, he's only president of the united states with a like minded cabinet and a like minded senate and a like minded congress.

So, explain to me, with the understanding that, say, the nuclear system is designed for expendiency and to not question the president's decision at all, if Trump just decided he wanted to launch a nuke because some leader made fun of him on twitter or something, what is there to stop him?

Its scary how short sighted you are. Just because you think yours is a just cause does not mean its the right choice. You'd rather burn this country down than have Trump win. Whats wrong with you?

You don't see the destruction of democracy in Trump, and I'm the short sighted one? This is an fascistic candidate who likes other dictator's because their authoritarian. Meanwhile, the GOP has already tried enforcing voter suppression into legislation. And now that they're in complete power, you think things will be fine?

Stop trying to legitimize Trump as just another candidate. I didn't like Romney. I'd accept it if he won. I didn't like bush, but he wasn't a monster. Trump is different from other candidates on a level that goes beyond personality or policies. He's working under a worldview that is a profound danger all that is held sacred by democracy.

Meanwhile, as much as it would divide the country further, the EC is both legal and designed for this specific situation. You cannot protect a democracy by instilling a fascist in it's highest office.

 

[faisal233]

They have full control of the Senate/House/White House. They can damn near do whatever the fuck they want.

No they can.

 

[Like the hat?]

If it happens kiss the chances of a future dem president goodbye for a long time

 

[CrispyBoar]

The only thing this petition is gonna achieve is making those one the right laughing their asses off and further solidifying another 4 years of Trump presidency.

Except that Trump will be too old to run a second term.

 

[Omega Kirby]

Every election 50% of the country is disappointed by the results. You have no more right to disqualify Trump as republicans had disqualifying Obama.

Had Clinton won and all of these posts and protests were by republicans a lot of you would be yucking it up and laughing.

Since half the country couldn't be bothered to vote, I'd recommend volunteering your time in the next cycle to encourage others to vote.

Bingo

 

[Jarmel]

There are no checks and balances if one party has control of all the legislative bodies and the executive body.

 

[Skellig Gra]

What are you basing this on? Am I missing references to England in these quotes?

What do you think

Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. These most deadly adversaries of republican government might naturally have been expected to make their approaches from more than one querter, but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils.

Is a reference to

 

[ShironRedshift]

You know what? I say do it.

I still think it's wrong (and had a long post explaining), but fuck it. It's Trump. I think it goes against the very core of American democracy, but you know what? Trump himself is against the very core of democracy. So do it.

Spoiler

I may come back and change my mind, lol

Have you seen Trump's latest tweet yet?
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/796900183955095552

Scary stuff coming from a President-elect and very anti-1st amendment and democracy.

I'm legitimately terrified of what this man will do once he obtains power if he's still saying these things now that the election itself is over. He has to be stopped... He has to...

 

[Jarmel]

No they can.

I assume you meant can't. The only body that can stop the Executive and Legislative Body from passing whatever they want is the Supreme Court.

That's it.

 

[faisal233]

No, he's only president of the united states with a like minded cabinet and a like minded senate and a like minded congress.

So, explain to me, with the understanding that, say, the nuclear system is designed for expendiency and to not question the president's decision at all, if Trump just decided he wanted to launch a nuke because some leader made fun of him on twitter or something, what is there to stop him?

Whats stopping the other side from claiming the same everytime there is an election they disagree with.

 

[faisal233]

Have you seen Trump's latest tweet yet?
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/796900183955095552

Scary stuff coming from a President-elect and very anti-1st amendment and democracy.

I'm legitimately terrified of what this man will do once he obtains power if he's still saying these things now that the election itself is over. He has to be stopped... He has to...

Yes, he has to be stopped. In 2018. Start working. This is a pathetic waste of time. The EC won't change.

 

[Sanke__]

You guys sound like sore losers, take the L already.

This is not a game

 

[Skellig Gra]

There are no checks and balances if one party has control of all the legislative bodies and the executive body.

Yes there are, our country was founded on rising up against a tyrannical government. It's right there in the beginning of the declaration of Independence.

 

[Jarmel]

Whats stopping the other side from claiming the same everytime there is an election they disagree with.

They already do. Might as well take up the Republican playbook at this point.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

There are no checks and balances if one party has control of all the legislative bodies and the executive body.

Well, they don't have a 60-seat majority in the Senate. I wonder how many bills Republicans will send to Trump's desk via Budget Reconciliation.

 

[Metrotab]

Why did nobody complain about the EC before the vote?

In fact, I recall people saying that the EC was a good thing because it kept Republicans from having an easy way to the presidency, since many states are blue-by-default.

 

[blankempathy]

This is not a game

Maybe we shouldn't have allowed it to become one in the first place.

 

[kirblar]

Why did nobody complain about the EC before the vote?

In fact, I recall people saying that the EC was a good thing because it kept Republicans from having an easy way to the presidency, since many states are blue-by-default.

No one ever said this.

What they said was that demographics were increasingly locking the GOP out. And that's true. Hillary got more votes. The margins just aren't there yet.

 

[Heroman]

Why did nobody complain about the EC before the vote?

In fact, I recall people saying that the EC was a good thing because it kept Republicans from having an easy way to the presidency, since many states are blue-by-default.

People have been complaining about the ec for years.

 

[Veelk]

Whats stopping the other side from claiming the same everytime there is an election they disagree with.

There aren't any formal rules to it, so nothing. Which I'm okay with, because as soon as this happens once, there will be a bipartisan effort to have the EC changed so that it doesn't happen again. Which is fine by me. Our EC isn't perfect, it'll be good to change it. But this is the one time we need to exploit this failsafe so that a fascist isn't instilled as president.

 

[Jarmel]

Yes there are, our country was founded on rising up against a tyrannical government. It's right there in the beginning of the declaration of Independence.

This is actually laughable if you're saying the Declaration of Independence is going to stop a Trump presidency from establishing things like internment deportment camps. The Supreme Court is extremely limited in their power if both the Executive and Legislative Body are in agreement.

Well, they don't have a 60-seat majority in the Senate. I wonder how many bills Republicans will send to Trump's desk via Budget Reconciliation.

They're gonna try and nuke the filibuster day one. That's literally the only prayer the Democrats have for the next four years.

 

[faisal233]

They already do. Might as well take up the Republican playbook at this point.

When has the GOP tried to change the EC vote? Please. I'm a Muslim minority, living in Louisiana. I refuse to live my life in fear of Cheeto King. We'll strike back in 2018 but it will take work.

This is as useless as the #bringourgirlsback.