Is it time to amend the U.S. Constitution?

Question

This is regarding the Electoral system. Considering when the Constitution came into effect, the vast population of Americans were poorly educated farmers. Perhaps the architects of our government thought giving the population the power of electing the highest office in the land was too great. Now days we are generally more educated and informed of candidates and issues. Why can we not amend the Consitution to allow direct voting of the President? Are there pros and cons? What do you all think of the system?

Answer 1

The electoral college system is still the right way to go. It takes away the larger states to have more say then the smaller ones. If a person would just focus on California, New York, and maybe 3 other states, they could win in straight votes without even trying in the smaller states. A person could a majority of the states and win the election.

Answer 2

You have not made a strong argument at all. First of all, you are confusing religious beliefs with Constitutional authority. I respect that you feel that gay marriage is wrong, but why should that warrant amending the Constitution? What if I think it's just fine? Even if most people disagree with it, such a law would need to pass a Constitutional test and then be approved by 2/3 of the states. Our Founding Fathers warned about what they call a "Tyranny of the Majority." That is to say that even a majority of Americans think something is right or wrong, it does not necessarily mean that their position is just. Now from a Constitutional standpoint, there is nothing in the document that makes gay marriage illegal. The Constitution clearly states that all powers not not assigned to the federal government in the Constitution shall be left to the states. There are limits on this. A state cannot pass a law that violates other sections of the Constitution. So they cannot pass laws that regulate free speech or the freedom of religion. But since marriage is not a power assigned to Washington, the states have every right to regulate it as they see fit.

Answer 3

I agree that we the people should be controlling our country more than we are now, however it is not only the constitution that governs us. Do not forget about the "checks & balances syestem". And as far as the comments about old rich white men...whose fault do the people think that is? it is ours and ours alone. We need more posative "minorities" to run our country. Personaly I think a Black American Male would do more for this country in one four year term than we have accomplished in the last 100 years. Not to sound chauvantistic, but many of the other countries on the world still don't feel women are equal, so they would never take America seriously if we had a female president. I think its a great idea none the less, however, think about how bad talks with the middle east would go if we had a woman president...So we are far more advanced "PC" wise than other countries, but we as Americans can't just take over the world because of what we believe to be right...but we can take over our country!! However all-in-all, I would still rather be living in our current government than lets say...North Korea....

Answer 4

If you study Yahoo answers enough, you will get the impression that the average intelligence and education of Americans hasn't risen much since the time of the Constitution's writing.

The voters are still gullible. "There's a sucker born every minute."
Think about what you've heard lately. The Obama Muslim school thing. The Hillary health care thing. Yep, we still need the Electoral College to insulate the Presidency from the sheep who go along the way the yapping dogs lead them.

The idea of direct democracy scared he hell out of this nation's founders. It still scares me.

Answer 5

I've always seen the Electoral College as a necessary evil. It gives significant representation to rural areas.

Would Democrats really be riding around on tractors, pledging aid to small farms if states like West Virginia didn't have those 5 electoral votes?

Answer 6

I agree.

Of course, the Constitution was never meant to give most people any real power. Changing it would force people to recognize that oft-overlooked fact. Today we speak as if minorities (women and non-whites in particular) and poor people constitute what the Constitution calls "the people." The reality is that "the people" were, and apparently still are, wealthy white males.

So, yes, we ought to be able to choose our President. Will that ever happen? We'll see.

God bless.

Answer 7

TOO MANY LOOP HOLES IN THE CONSTITUTION...
IT WAS INITIALLY INTENDED FOR "BIGWIGS" AND THE LIKES OF THEIR KIND. IF THEY KNEW IMMIGRANTS WOULD COME OVER TO EXERCISE THOSE SAME RIGHTS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN DIFFERENTLY.

Answer 8

Yes it is time to change it..

Answer 9

we're stubborn, stuck in the ways of old non-PC rituals ways. we can't adapt. we're prejudiced from the core. it can't change. even the minorities are filled with more hatred. we can't start over but are too old to change. won't look at other harmoniously functioning countries governings to better ourselves. too much pride.