President Hillary Clinton?

That would have been the result of the 2016 presidential election — if the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact were in effect.

With a state Senate vote Tuesday, Nevada is close to becoming the latest state to sidestep the Electoral College when it comes to electing presidents.

According to the National Popular Vote organization, which oversees efforts to persuade states to join the compact, 14 states and the District of Columbia have agreed to pledge their 189 electors to the winner of the national popular vote — regardless of which candidate won the state. Nevada, with its six electoral votes, would bring the total to 195. Once 270 electors are pledged, the compact would kick in.

We might as well let the democrats just appoint all future Presidents, no need to give the people a choice!

Fifteen States need to clean out their government. If you don't understand the purpose of the electoral college go to wiki and state population. Start with the least populated states and add until it almost equals the population of New York city. That is why we don't go by a simple popular vote.

So, you are saying people in low population States don't deserve a voice!

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 1:33pm:


Time for your meds I think

We might as well let the democrats just appoint all future Presidents, no need to give the people a choice!

Mortdooley wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 4:27am:


You really think that the people vote for the democrats every time ?

All the electoral college does is to take the result out of the voters hands.

Dnarever wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 10:17pm:



The Democratic Party thinks so or they wouldn't  be trying to change the rules!

Your opinion would have value if every State had only two electoral votes regardless of population and those two votes went to the winner of that State. However low population States may have only two or three electoral votes while high population States may have twenty or even thirty votes. The fact that whoever gets the most votes in each State gets all the Electoral votes thus making it possible for a total popular vote to fall on the side of the loser. Nothing wrong with that, the populations of our four or five largest cities shouldn't be the only places to have the power to elect a President!

Bias_2012 wrote on May 24^th, 2019 at 1:06pm:


Parliament is effectively sovereign downunder.   Therefore, it would not like the idea of a President who was not chosen by it.   The people would mistakenly assume that the President is anything other than a Head of State - just like the GG at the moment.   Their powers are limited, as they should be.

As to which party should be President - they should represent the party which holds Government - afterall, they have the maximum number of seats in the Parliament (usually).

Brian Ross wrote on May 24^th, 2019 at 2:59pm:


You seem to forget, the United States is not a democracy, it's a Constitutional Republic

The U.S. Supreme Court says each state legislature has “plenary” (complete) power to decide how its state’s presidential electors are chosen.

But suppose a state legislature decided to raise cash by selling its electors to the highest bidder. Do you think the Supreme Court would uphold such a measure?


If your answer is “no,” then you intuitively grasp a basic principle of constitutional law—one overlooked by those proposing the “National Popular Vote Compact” (NPV).

NPV is a plan to change how we elect our president. Under the plan, each state signs a compact to award all its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. The compact comes into effect when states with a majority of presidential electors sign on.....

In assessing the constitutionality of NPV, you have to consider some of its central features. First, NPV abandons the idea that presidential electors represent the people of their own states. Second, it discards an election system balanced among interests and values in favor of one recognizing only national popularity. That popularity need not be high: A state joining the NPV compact agrees to assign its electors to even the winner of a tiny plurality in a multi-candidate election.

Third, because NPV states would have a majority of votes in the Electoral College, NPV would effectively repeal the Constitution’s provision for run-off elections in the House of Representatives.

Fourth, NPV requires each state’s election officer to apply the vote tabulations certified by other state election officers—even if those tabulations are known to be fraudulent or erroneous.  Indeed, NPV would give state politicians powerful incentives to inflate, by fair means or foul, their vote totals relative to other states.

Don’t changes that sweeping require a constitutional amendment?

In answer to this question, NPV advocates point out that the Constitution seemingly gives state legislatures unlimited authority to decide how their electors are appointed. They further note that the Constitution recognizes the reserved power of states to make compacts with each other. Although the Constitution’s text requires that interstate compacts be approved by Congress, NPV advocates claim congressional approval of NPV is not necessary. They observe that in U.S. Steel v. Multistate Tax Comm’n (1978) the Supreme Court held that Congress must approve a compact only when the compact increases state power at the expense of federal power.

NPV advocates may be wrong about congressional approval. It is unclear that the justices would follow U.S. Steel’s ruling now. The Constitution’s language requiring congressional approval is crystal clear, and the court today is much more respectful of the Constitution’s text and historical meaning than it was in 1978. Moreover, you can make a good argument that U.S. Steel requires congressional approval for NPV because NPV would weaken federal institutions: It would (1) abolish the role of the U.S. House of Representatives in the electoral process and (2) alter the presidential election system without congressional involvement. Furthermore, even the U.S. Steel case suggested that compacts require congressional approval whenever they “impact . . . our federal structure.”

A more fundamental problem with NPV, however, is that with or without congressional approval it violates a central principle of constitutional law.

The Constitution recognizes two kinds of powers: (1) those reserved by the Tenth Amendment in the states by reason of state sovereignty (“reserved powers”) and (2) those created and granted by the Constitution itself (“delegated powers”). Reserved powers are, in James Madison’s words, “numerous and indefinite,” but delegated powers are “few and defined.”

A state’s power to enter into a compact with other states is reserved in nature, and it almost always involves other reserved powers, such as taxation and water use. Such was the compact examined by the Supreme Court in the U.S. Steel case.

As for delegated powers, the Constitution grants most of these to agents of the federal government. However, it also grants some to entities outside the federal government. Recipients include state legislatures, state governors, state and federal conventions, and presidential electors.

The scope of delegated powers is “defined” by the Constitution’s language, construed in light of its underlying purpose and its historical context. If state lawmakers or officers try to employ a delegated power in a way not sanctioned by its purpose and scope, the courts intervene.

For example, the courts often have voided efforts to exercise delegated powers in the constitutional amendment process in ways inconsistent with purpose or historical understanding. This is true even if the attempt superficially complies with the Constitution’s text.........

continued

Brian Ross wrote on May 24^th, 2019 at 3:01pm:


So what powers should the Head of State have?

Mortdooley wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 10:11pm:


So, spoken like a real Rethuglian, hey, Mort?

"Free stuff" has been around for generations.   I don't see the majority of Americans voting for more "free stuff".   You really have a low opinion of your fellow Americans, don't you?   

You have however, failed to address the points I made, Mort.  Hardly surprising, really.  I know you have no experience of alternative voting systems or Parliamentary Democracy.   You should experience them, they are superior to the primitive first-past-the-post system and your hideously complex and unrepresentative Congress and Senate.   

Brian Ross wrote on May 24^th, 2019 at 2:57pm:


If you don't see the "free Sh1t Army" you haven't looked at the Bernie Sanders crowd!

You haven't made any points, just posted your opinion. Texas has a much better grasp of how our representative Republic is intended to work. Here Congress only meets every other year and is poorly paid which is a good thing. Because the paycheck is small these people have to support themselves with real jobs. Because the distance between their districts and the Capital is relatively close to most they don't live away from the constituents when Congress isn't in session. My Representative in Austin has a successful Insurance Agency in the City I live just outside of.  I can drive from my home to the Capital in less than three hours.

Mortdooley wrote on May 25^th, 2019 at 12:58am:


I've never seen the point of having first a primary process and then the actual election.  The party should nominate who they think is the best for the job, rather than appealling to the public for their opinion (for the nominations).   Just hold the bloody election.

Mattyfisk wrote on May 25^th, 2019 at 12:38pm:



A bit like the Libs and Labs preselection  process

The American electoral system is sick and is slowly dying.  The use of simplistic first-past-the-post voting coupled with the unfair electoral college system results in skewed outcomes like the 2016 election where the least popular candidate now sits in the Oval Office.   The USA would be far better off if they moved to a preferential voting system and had a Parliamentary system.  It would provide the people with a real voice for a change and allow them to put into the White House who they actually want, rather than el Presidente' Trump.

I've never seen the point of having first a primary process and then the actual election.  The party should nominate who they think is the best for the job, rather than appealling to the public for their opinion (for the nominations).   Just hold the bloody election.

If Popular vote is the measure then campaigning patterns will change

Policy will change to suit the narrative of the populous crowd rather than the good of the country

Ah, that would explain why more people voted for Hilary than they did for el Presidente' Trump, I take it.  Remember, he lost the popular vote.  Tsk, tsk.   Roll Eyes

I am unsure what society you're talking about, Mort.  Downunder, we have lived a largely classless society since the mid-1880s.   So much so, that people sit in the front seat of taxis and actually talk to the driver!  Shock, horror, hey?  Time to grow up and look at the real world.

[quote]Interesting.  It appears the English Civil War and the Revolution of 1688 has just disappeared from your understanding of history, Mort.  I wonder why your education has been so deficit?  No one in the UK has believed in the "divine right of kings" since Charles I had his head chopped off at the end of the English Civil War.  Parliament is sovereign in the UK.  Time I think you learnt a little about history and the effects of both events had on the political life of the UK.  It will do you good to get out and to get some learnin' little man.

Does that include the two thirds of Americans that don't want Arabic numerals taught in school?  The 39% of Americans who believe the sun revolves around the Earth?  How about the many Americans who believe that pre-historic man lived with the Dinosaurs?  Mmmm?  Strange how your inadequate education system produces such results, hey?

Why am I not surprised by such ignorance amongst the majority of Americans, Mort?  It seems American society teaches it's people to be stupid, not to take an interest in politics and to look upon those that do as abnormal or something...

Brian Ross wrote on May 27^th, 2019 at 2:00pm:



And yet you want a future Australian head of state appointed by Parliament, with no popular vote from the people at all

Bias_2012 wrote on May 28^th, 2019 at 2:53pm:


Why ever not?  When have you criticised the Americans for their ignorant comments about Australian political life, Bias?   I can't seem to find any such posts from you.  Interesting that, hey?   I am free to criticise American politics if I so desire.  Run along, little boy, back to the little kiddies' playground where it looks like you belong...   

Quote:


https://www.npr.org/2019/05/22/725616541/nevada-poised-to-become-15th-state-to-d...

AiA wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 3:59am:


I expect they control enough votes already to make it work.

Brian Ross wrote on May 28^th, 2019 at 3:44pm:


Americans have their own system

But an Australian head of state (President or whatever) should be elected by the people, not Parliament. The head of state must have allegiance to all the people without prejudice nor political allegiance.

Quote:


Actually I have never had a reason to use a Taxi, shuttle bus, tour bus, public rail but never a Taxi. I rent Vehicles and take myself where I choose to go. That being said I have had no problem speaking to the drivers. One that I recall was a woman from New Zealand who drove us from our cruise ship to the airport in Seattle. She told me how many preconceived beliefs she had about us and that they all proved wrong. When you criticize you don't know what you are talking about either, at least she was happy to be among people who were not the stereotype she was led to believe. .

Quote:



Your links come from very bias sources and if not made up by them are a sampling of a very strange group and do not represent common beliefs.  They have no credibility!.

Quote:


Do you mean phony Scientists like "Bill Nye the science guy" who doesn't have any more education than I do! Or people who are so far outside of their expertise that their opinion is no better then the average citizen. Basically they use a system I have disagreed with at work. You start with the conclusion you want and work backwards to prove it ignoring any information that doesn't fit the agenda.

Funny you should mention caves, I am a big fan of "Earth Ships" which don't require loin clothes or saber tooth tigers. Passive systems to heat and cool buildings is a positive thing, trading carbon credits and not reducing pollution is counter productive. It is nothing more than a redistribution of wealth while continuing to live with dirty air!

Poor brian, I see I have hurt your feelings again. I don't suppose you have applied for that federal license so you can own Ralphies Red Rider BB Gun yet.

Quote:


Venezuela is a model for the long term plans of the Left. In 1998 the people voted in Hugo Chavez and everything was going to be great because he imposed redistribution on producers of wealth. As bad as it has become their people probably don't accept they did this to themselves. They voted for more government handouts and lost their country! Why would you believe it couldn't happen here or over there? Those are famous last words when freedom is lost to a "mythical, tyrannical government"!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19652436

Quote:


I can't imagine that you could find any crowd in any Western Country that would have twenty five percent of people who believe the Sun revolves around the Earth. At best surveys can represent how questions are asked and who they ask to get a somewhat different answer. Maybe it was a survey of Americans 4 to 7 years old or the aged with dementia. Unfortunately you could probably ask most younger Americans about their favorite Sports Figure or Celebrity and they could give you more facts about their Idols then you would ever care to know. Maybe the old saw is represented here, you ask a stupid question, you get a stupid answer!

Quote:


Global Warming is a religion, not a science. As I have stated in the past, it is a scam to transfer wealth by creating a system of carbon credits that can be sold between countries. China buys the assigned credits from third world,non industrialized countries and its air and water are still poisoned. Topographic Maps show the contours of land masses among many other features. Water seeks its own level and will flow to rivers, canals and oceans. When the original paths are interrupted by development it changes those paths and can cause flooding where it never flooded before. It isn't the rise of Oceans or global temperatures and the Ice Caps are not shrinking.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/02/15/el-nino-effects-climate-we...

That's all the time I have for you today, the Stock Market is opening and needs my attention!

Oh, yes, Mort everybody who believes in fairness and decency is just a member of the Borg.  We all think the same, we all act the same, right?  We all look the same as well.   Grow up, Mort.  Venezuela is a unique case, one that cannot be applied to other nations.

Here's a question for you, Mort.  According to the NRA and like minded Americans, all Communist regimes automatically control guns in their societies, right?  So, how did the Revolutions of 1989 start across Eastern Europe?  All those guns, which appeared like magic from somewhere...

Still unwilling to actually address the message.  Still making excuses.  Face facts, your society is full of dumb people who believe what they were told in Sunday School.  What a bunch of weirdos and losers, hey?  The sun revolves around the Earth.  Pre-historic man lived with the Dinosaurs.  Yeah, sure

So, now the US meteorologists have it wrong when they talk about the el nino effect?   You really are a weirdo, Mort.   Downunder, we see what the el nina does to us everytime it happens - droughts, cyclones and storms.   Time to grow up and face the music, this is what your government - all governments have done to the world.

Enjoy it while you can, Mort.  I hope you have your space on the window ledge booked

I have more than enough assets to keep me comfortable........

In order to have the desired affect 270 votes are required (presently they have 195).

Mortdooley wrote on Jun 1^st, 2019 at 11:31pm:


You obviously don't know or understand the history Latin and Southern America, do you, Mort?  The US has exploited that region for over 150 years.  It has imposed it's will on the people and forced them to accept tyrants and dictators.  You wonder why they resent America?  Really?

Quote:


A great theory but what does it do to the claims by the Gun Nuts that Tyrants immediately enact gun control?  You cannot have one and then accept the other, Mort, now can you?

In reality, most of the firearms used during the Eastern European revolutions were acquired from the Peoples' Militia armouries.  AK47s and all the other Eastern weapons.  Few WWII weapons were used.  The main problem faced with using WWII weapons is the lack of ammunition available for them.  Plenty of ammunition for AKs.

Quote:


Nope.  Never went to Sunday School, Mort.  Sunday School is an unusual event downunder and really only available to Protestants.  Never had an interest in doing so as I went to a religious school as a young'un.

Quote:


Excuse me?  Is this an admission that you don't really know what you're talking about so you decide to change the subject, Mort?  Really?   

Bird fatalities occur all the time.  Birds, other animals all hunt birds and kill them.  Birds get hit by cars, killed by humans deliberately as well as accidently.  Who cares?   It is the way of the world.  Natural selection will weed out the birds who are stupid and the smarter ones which know to avoid wind turbines will survive.   

Quote:


Where did I say I wished you harm, Mort?  All I suggested was that if you play the market you should expect to come crashing down.  If you want to harm yourself, go for it.

Quote:


I have more than enough assets to keep me comfortable, Mort, market or not.   

Perfectly understandable, Mort. Why would an Amerikan post on an Australian politics board - from a phone in Florida?

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 23^rd, 2019 at 1:33pm:


So forget majority rule then?

Panther wrote on Jun 8^th, 2019 at 9:41pm:


Ok, so let's come to a compromise then.

Let's keep the electoral college but change it so that each State is divided into districts, each one to have a single elector. The people in each district shall vote for a pledged elector.

This 'district-mode' of the electoral college was actually what the Framers had in mind. This is what James Madison said later on anyhow.

The benefit of a district-based system is that each person's vote is of equal value, provided that each district is equal in population.

Mattyfisk wrote on Jun 6^th, 2019 at 9:59pm:


I am posting from Japan and quite often wonder why I am here ...

You obviously don't know or understand the history Latin and Southern America, do you, Mort?  The US has exploited that region for over 150 years.  It has imposed it's will on the people and forced them to accept tyrants and dictators.  You wonder why they resent America?  Really?

A great theory but what does it do to the claims by the Gun Nuts that Tyrants immediately enact gun control?  You cannot have one and then accept the other, Mort, now can you?

In reality, most of the firearms used during the Eastern European revolutions were acquired from the Peoples' Militia armouries.  AK47s and all the other Eastern weapons.  Few WWII weapons were used.  The main problem faced with using WWII weapons is the lack of ammunition available for them.  Plenty of ammunition for AKs.

Excuse me?  Is this an admission that you don't really know what you're talking about so you decide to change the subject, Mort?  Really?    Roll Eyes

Bird fatalities occur all the time.  Birds, other animals all hunt birds and kill them.  Birds get hit by cars, killed by humans deliberately as well as accidently.  Who cares?   It is the way of the world.  Natural selection will weed out the birds who are stupid and the smarter ones which know to avoid wind turbines will survive.

Enjoy it while you can, Mort.  I hope you have your space on the window ledge booked

Where did I say I wished you harm, Mort?  All I suggested was that if you play the market you should expect to come crashing down.  If you want to harm yourself, go for it.

Mortdooley wrote on Jun 10^th, 2019 at 10:02pm:



only if you disregard the facts


Quote:


and that's people, not birds

https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/

... Hillary Clinton could not overcome Trump and his Internet effort. Tweet Tweet.[/size] 

greggerypeccary wrote on Jun 11^th, 2019 at 6:53am:


No.

... we think you accuse people like Trump of things to make you look better than you really are here on this Forum.

Auggie wrote on Jun 9^th, 2019 at 11:56am:

OK, I'm back from the land of the big mouse.

Quote:


Western Europe created the borders of Central and South America when they colonized it. Western financial interests created wealth from the natural resources they found there and even the locals benefited.

Quote:


While the AK variant has become the weapon of choice in third world countries, tons of WW2 weapons are still hidden away in private hands.

Ammunition is not like eggs, it doesn't go bad sitting in storage. Properly stored ammo eighty years old still functions like new and I know this because I have plenty and use it in my Mosin-Nagant, Tokarev and Nagant revolver.  It was available cheap until some of Obamas executive orders restricted the import of obsolete calibers. It is once again available but at a much higher price.  

Quote:


Wind turbines kill an estimated 140,000 to 328,000 birds each year in North America, making it the most threatening form of green energy. And yet, it’s also one of the most rapidly expanding energy industries: more than 49,000 individual wind turbines now exist across 39 states. More energy can be saved by using a system of passive heat exchange. Pulling hot air through piping buried underground and blown into buildings will cool or heat more efficiently at a lower cost.

Quote:
   

Quote:


We both know that during the stock market crash some people who had lost everything climbed out on the ledge of tall buildings and leaped to their deaths.