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Hmmm . . . what should the Electoral College do tomorrow?

By Scott on December 18, 2016 • ( 0 )

Well, after doing my own reading of the pertinent points of the Constitution and Chapter 1 of Title 3, United States Code (62 Stat. 672, as amended), and reviewing this video again, I have come to the conclusion that it is a prime example of breathtaking arrogance, condescension, and pandering.

First of all, the original states and the Founding Fathers didn’t choose to ratify the words of the Federalist Papers into the Constitution (the source of the authoritative quote at the front of the video).

Second, how arrogant that these Hollywood elites feel qualified to tell us that Mr. Trump lacks the “stability” to be President. You know who gets to decide that? The American public. (By the way, how fortunate we are that these fine actors were willing to condescend to the depths of the Republican Electors long enough to make a video just for them so that they might consider voting their consciences. Thank you famous actors!)

Third, Mr. Sheen, the “dangerous demagogue” in this story is not Mr. Trump but a dangerous liberal party that feels entitled to retain power. The Constitution does not ask the electors to protect anyone from a dangerous demagogue, but rather to vote for someone qualified. They are not empowered to declare someone disqualified based on the opinions of the “fake news” media, or the First Lady (whose pride arose and has again now vanished in hopelessness), anarchist university professors, or even broken-hearted “snow flakes” who weep over Hillary but don’t know who won the Civil War or when America declared its independence.

Fourth, yes, Mike Farrell, the Constitution does seem to allow for Electors to vote for any qualified candidate, but 29 states hold their Electors legally bound to vote for the popular vote winner in their states. Sorry, but Michigan, Wisconsin, are all on that list. I wonder how the Democrats would respond to a movement by Republicans to get the Electors in states who voted for Hillary to switch so that the record would show her to be incompetent? Surely liberals would understand.

Fifth, when Richard Schiff pleads for the “brave Republican Electors” to vote their consciences I am struck by the irony of people so vociferously liberal trying to convincingly speak kindly to Republican Electors. If the Republican Electors follow their consciences they at least have to consider that the people of their respective states are expecting to be represented. Votes that go against this are considered “faithless.”

But hold on! They stand with the Republican Electors! In other words, “Republican Electors, please just give the House of Representatives the option to vote for someone other than Trump!” But wait, what if the Republican Electors feel it best to vote for Trump? (Where did everybody go?)

One fellow says, “the American people trust that your voice speaks for all of us all.” Well, they shouldn’t, and they don’t. The Electors from Texas or Iowa or Michigan have not been elected to speak for all of America. They have been invited to speak for the people in their states!

And I am sorry, I did not know that Alexander Hamilton HIMSELF granted these Electors the constitutional responsibility they are being asked to execute! Imagine that! Alexander Hamiliton! All by himself!! Are we supposed to be moved by this?

But stop the presses! If the Electors will just do what the famous actors want them to do, the actors will give them their respect. Who doesn’t want a famous person to respect them?

Here’s what all Electors should do tomorrow:

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; — The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; — The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. — The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

And where bound by their state’s laws they should vote based on the popular vote in the states.