Question

Develop an argument that explains whether the Electoral College facilitates or

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer: The Electoral College as currently implemented impedes democracy. The framers of the Constitution envisioned a gathering of well-informed representatives from the states who would bring the concerns of the citizens to the attention of the rest of their colleagues. The goal was to select a President who would be able to guide the federal government in its decisions and policies in such a manner as to bring the most benefit to the nation while being mindful of issues of concern to various individual states and regions. The electors were intended to be free to vote their consciences in light of the discussion and debates that would take place. They were to select the best candidates and select a president and vice president. It was a sensible method, especially in view of difficulties in travel and communications at the time-- long before highways, planes, telephones and the internet had been invented.

Such is not current practice. As political parties took over the nominations process, and states passed laws to restrict electors to voting only for the candidates who won the majority of votes in each state, the Electoral College has become a meaningless formality. It is a numbers game that allows TV networks to project winners long before all the ballots have been counted. It has resulted in the election of President Bush, in 2000, an President Trump in 2061 despite the overall majorities of the popular vote having been cast for their opponents, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton.

Explanation: This will not fulfill the requirements of the assignment to quote from the sources and respond to an opposing perspective. It should, however, present a perspective for you to develop-- or to argue against.

Answer 2

Answer: The Electoral College as currently implemented impedes democracy. The framers of the Constitution envisioned a gathering of well-informed representatives from the states who would bring the concerns of the citizens to the attention of the rest of their colleagues. The goal was to select a President who would be able to guide the federal government in its decisions and policies in such a manner as to bring the most benefit to the nation while being mindful of issues of concern to various individual states and regions. The electors were intended to be free to vote their consciences in light of the discussion and debates that would take place. They were to select the best candidates and select a president and vice president. It was a sensible method, especially in view of difficulties in travel and communications at the time-- long before highways, planes, telephones and the internet had been invented.

Such is not current practice. As political parties took over the nominations process, and states passed laws to restrict electors to voting only for the candidates who won the majority of votes in each state, the Electoral College has become a meaningless formality. It is a numbers game that allows TV networks to project winners long before all the ballots have been counted. It has resulted in the election of President Bush, in 2000, an President Trump in 2061 despite the overall majorities of the popular vote having been cast for their opponents, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton.

Explanation: This will not fulfill the requirements of the assignment to quote from the sources and respond to an opposing perspective. It should, however, present a perspective for you to develop-- or to argue against.