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Do We Want a Republic or Mob Rule?
Opinion Editorial by: Gerardo Serrano, Advocate for Fiscal Responsibility
The recent push by Democrats, led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), and Peter Welch (D-Vermont), to abolish the Electoral College represents a fundamental shift away from the structure our Founders carefully designed to protect the Republic.
Their proposal, which seeks to replace the Electoral College with a direct popular vote for the presidency, threatens the very fabric of our system of government by undermining the safeguards against mob rule and centralized control.
The Republic vs. Mob Rule
The Founding Fathers understood the dangers of pure democracy. As James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 10, "Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." The Electoral College was designed to prevent these dangers by ensuring that the president must win broad support across diverse states and populations rather than relying solely on the whims of a national majority concentrated in urban areas.
Consider the analogy of two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch. In a direct democracy, the majority—the wolves—can impose their will on the minority—the sheep. The Electoral College, like the Constitution itself, provides protections for the sheep, ensuring that individual rights and minority interests are not trampled by the majority.
Why the Electoral College Matters
- Preserving Federalism: The United States is a union of states, not a homogeneous entity. The Electoral College reflects this federal structure, giving smaller states a voice and preventing large states or populous urban areas from dominating presidential elections. Without it, states like Wyoming, Vermont, and Kentucky would become mere afterthoughts in national campaigns.
- Encouraging Broad Coalitions: Candidates must appeal to a wide range of voters across diverse regions to win the presidency. This ensures that the president represents the entire nation, not just the interests of a few populous regions.
- Preventing Urban Dominance: A direct popular vote would incentivize candidates to focus their campaigns on urban centers with high population densities, ignoring rural and suburban areas. The Electoral College forces candidates to address voters' concerns throughout the country.
- Protecting Minority Rights: The Republic's institutions are designed to safeguard minority rights against majority tyranny. The Electoral College is one such institution, ensuring that every state has a say in the president's election.
The Founders' Vision
The Founders deliberated in creating a republic, not a direct democracy. John Adams warned, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." This wisdom is embedded in our Constitution, which balances democratic principles with safeguards to protect against the excesses of majority rule.
Benjamin Franklin famously stated, "A Republic, if you can keep it," emphasizing that maintaining this system requires vigilance and understanding its value. The Electoral College is a cornerstone of that Republic, ensuring that the presidency is decided by a process that balances popular will with the rights of states and minority groups.
Rejecting the Push for Mob Rule
The Electoral College abolition amendment proposed by Senators Schatz, Durbin, and Welch seeks to dismantle this carefully constructed system. Proponents argue it would make elections more democratic, but at what cost? By removing the Electoral College, we risk concentrating power in a few populous regions and marginalizing vast portions of the country.
Additionally, we must remain vigilant about the influence of left-wing agendas in urban school systems. These agendas often promote ideologies that undermine the principles of our Republic, teaching divisive narratives that prioritize political conformity over critical thinking and patriotism. This trend poses a significant threat to the unity and values that sustain our nation. We cannot allow these influences to erode the foundations of liberty and responsibility embedded in our educational system.
The Founders' design has withstood the test of time, protecting the Republic from the chaos and instability of pure democracy. The push to abolish the Electoral College is not a step toward fairness but a step away from the principles that have preserved our nation for centuries.
A Call to Action
We must stand firm in defense of the Republic and reject efforts to undermine the Electoral College. It is not just a mechanism for electing the president; it is a safeguard for all Americans' diverse interests and freedoms. Remember the Founders' wisdom and protect the system they entrusted us. After all, a Republic, as Franklin warned, must be actively preserved if it is to endure.
As someone who embraces the Bill of Rights and has fought against government overreach, I defend our Constitution and ensure its principles remain vibrant and functional. Keeping the Electoral College is essential to preserving our Republic, protecting minority rights, and upholding the delicate balance of power that has made our nation strong. These principles made my country great and will continue to ensure its greatness for future generations. Let us unite in this effort to ensure that the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution endure for generations.
— Gerardo Serrano
