Over the last few days surrounding the Presidential Election, questions came up about the Electoral College. They come up every four years, like clockwork.
Most folks who wrote those comments were almost unanimous in saying that the Electoral College was out-dated, and that we no longer need it.
I think the Electoral College had many good points to it, and think it should be kept... so I will share a few ideas I have about it.
First of all, that fountain of knowledge Wikipedia can tell you all you would ever want to know, and more, about the Electoral College.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the Electoral College. Here is another article about the Origin and History of The Electoral College.
And here is a great explanation by Mitchell Hall which appears as a comment on a recent post. Please read Mitchell's explanation... it is excellent!
And finally, here is my idea on the Electoral College... but given in the context of NFL Football. Yes, I know... it's another one of Karen Anne's "off the wall" explanations, but I think it may add a very basic "feel" of the intent of the Electoral College:
~ ~ ~
In comparing the Electoral College to NFL Football... it's not all that important as to how many points a team scores in a season, but how many games they win.
There are 16 games in a season in Football. I will use two NFL teams in my little anecdote... the Romney Patriots and the Obama Bears.
Let us imagine that during one season... the Romney Patriots... scored 300 total points and have a 10-6 record. In many of their games... they blow out the other team, and score lots of points. (more offense, less defense)
Let us also imagine that our other team... the Obama Bears... would score fewer points during that season... let's say they score 250 points... but they have a 12-4 record. (less offense, much better defense)
So... which team wins the division crown? The team that scores the most points (300), but their won/lost record (10-6), although good, is not the best, or the other team... which has not scored as many points (250)... but their won/lost record is better... (12-4).
The better record wins, not necessarily the team with the most points. I am suggesting that the record takes the place of the Electoral College votes, and the most points takes the place of having the greatest popular votes total.
Now comes the inevitable question: Does any of this make any sense to anyone else besides me? LOL !
~ ~ ~
Comments(47)