The Electoral College, a system established by the Founding Fathers, provides a fairer weighting between states in the U.S. The purpose was to prevent domination by large population centers and protect the interests of smaller states. The system ensures that the president represents the entire country, not just a few populous cities. Abolishing the Electoral College would disenfranchise small states and rural areas, leading to a one-party state and tyranny of the majority.
The Electoral College was designed to prevent the election of unqualified candidates and safeguard against mob rule. Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist #68, argued that the system was necessary to ensure that the president possessed the requisite qualifications and the confidence of the whole nation. While the system has faced challenges over time, its fundamental purpose remains to protect the rights of states and prevent manipulation in elections.
The bicameral system, with a Senate representing states equally regardless of size, was meant to balance the power of the federal government and protect state interests. However, a detrimental change was made in 1913 that altered the appointment of Senators, shifting away from the original intent of the Founders. Woodrow Wilson and many other progressives were responsible for the passage of the 17th Amendment, which changed the language to “elected by the people” instead of “chosen by the legislature.” This alteration shifted the balance of power to major metropolitan areas, turning the U.S. Senate into a mirror image of the House of Representatives. The original intent of the Framers was disregarded, leaving only the Electoral College and the 10th Amendment as safeguards against the dangers of mass direct elections.
A potential solution to this issue would be the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which would restore balance to the system, empower rural areas, reaffirm states’ rights, and strengthen the Senate as a counterforce against centralization. However, the likelihood of this change occurring in the near future is slim, as discussions on this topic are often dismissed as eccentric and irrelevant.
Conversely, abolishing the Electoral College, a popular idea among elites, would be a disastrous move that could lead to the demise of the republican system of government and threaten liberty in America. The wisdom of the Framers in designing the system becomes more evident as time goes on, as they aimed to create an excellent system rather than a perfect one.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of maintaining the original intent of the Founding Fathers and safeguarding the principles of the republican system of government. The views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
Source link
