# I pit the useless fucking Electoral College **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186 "2016-12-19T22:03:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/41 "2016-12-20T08:09:43Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So voting for the candidate of one’s choice is somehow disrespectful now? That’s quite arrogant. Homosexual people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting to strip me of my right to marry my spouse.” Transgender people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting to strip me of basic civil rights protections.” Black people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting for someone who wants to make it impossible for us to get a fair shake in law enforcement.” Illegal immigrants: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting for someone who wants to remove me from my home and send me back to a country I barely know and which is not my home.” White people: “Tough titties, this guy says he can bring back coal jobs.” ---
**Author:** ![Waymore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/42 "2016-12-20T08:29:29Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Absolutely. Abolish Obamacare, Abolish Medicare, Abolish the EPA… I’m on board. ---
**Author:** ![Waymore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/43 "2016-12-20T08:32:14Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So voting for the candidate of one’s choice is somehow disrespectful now? That’s quite arrogant. That’s the point of PC culture in general, and the bullshit fear of “normalizing” in particular. It’s makes what is a difference of opinion tantamount to an attack on another person out of “hate.” It’s crimestop at it’s finest. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/44 "2016-12-20T08:46:16Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Homosexual people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting to strip me of my right to marry my spouse.” > Transgender people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting to strip me of basic civil rights protections.” > Black people: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting for someone who wants to make it impossible for us to get a fair shake in law enforcement.” > Illegal immigrants: “Hey, if you vote for this candidate, you are literally voting for someone who wants to remove me from my home and send me back to a country I barely know and which is not my home.” > White people: “Tough titties, this guy says he can bring back coal jobs.” Really? This is what Trump is going to do? This is what those who voted for Trump want Trump to do? I don’t think reality is that simple. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/45 "2016-12-20T08:57:33Z")
> [@Waymore](#): > > I’m on board. Well shit, hope you don’t need healthcare any time soon. Then again, how likely is that, what with the relaxation of pollution standards? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Waymore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/46 "2016-12-20T08:58:30Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Well shit, hope you don’t need healthcare any time soon. Then again, how likely is that, what with the relaxation of pollution standards? :rolleyes: You should work in something about the roads too. Lefties love the highway system. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/47 "2016-12-20T09:33:39Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Really? > > This is what Trump is going to do? This is what those who voted for Trump want Trump to do? I don’t think reality is that simple. Let’s just start with the answer to the second question. No, I don’t think most Trump voters wanted that. They wanted their jobs back, they wanted solutions to problems they believed were real, and were willing to look past any complaints offered, because “it’s the economy, stupid”. That those complaints included people pointing out that what Trump promises is probably impossible didn’t seem to bother them either. But the answer to the first question: _yes_. Absolutely. Trump made his position on those issues perfectly clear. He wants SC Justices like Antonin Scalia, who was virulently anti-gay, and one member at the top of his shortlist, Pryor, doesn’t just consider Obergfell a mistake, but also _Loving_. His vice president claimed that he wants to reverse Obama’s interpretation of federal antidiscrimination suits to include transgender issues as a part of “sex discrimination”. His only proposed solution for the problem of distrust between African-Americans and police is “bring back stop-and-frisk” and his attourney general nominee is Jeff Sessions. And his campaign started on the promise of throwing out illegal immigrants and cracking down on immigration. That’s what these people voted for. Some of them [clearly don’t understand that that’s what they voted for](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=813689), but that’s what they voted for. And we’re supposed to not see this as, at the very least, _incredible_ disrespect? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/48 "2016-12-20T09:38:02Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Really? > > This is what Trump is going to do? This is what those who voted for Trump want Trump to do? Either that, or they simply don’t care if it happens. Or refuse to acknowledge that the people who Trump trusts have worked very hard to make it happen and have loudly and frequently talked about their desire to make it happen. Do you genuinely think those demographics have absolutely nothing to fear in the next four years? On a related note, taking in multiple posts so far, I really wonder sometimes whether “the market/private industry will take care of it” actually do believe that, or if they simply don’t care if it does get taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/49 "2016-12-20T09:39:43Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > The levels Trump defenders can lower their arguments to make 2yo’s look like statesmen. “Ha ha we WON _ppppbbblttttttt!!!_” > > Sooner or later, all but the most rock-headed of you will figure it out: We ALL lost this election. Unless you’re a very wealthy white male on the fringes of reality - then it’s your day. > > The heart of 'Murrica voters who aren’t getting any new jobs and won’t have health insurance shortly are the first to start sniffing the bullshit. Too late, unfortunately. I note that you didn’t mention the egregious error you made that he pointed out. No surprise there. ---
**Author:** ![inscrutable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e4f/32.png) [@inscrutable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inscrutable)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/50 "2016-12-20T12:55:15Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > And here I thought the birthers and truthers were nutjobs. You just drove off with the bakery truck full of cakes. > > Not that anyone has ever taken you seriously to begin with. Maybe a white kid was mean to him one day back in elementary school… ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/51 "2016-12-20T13:06:54Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > The flyover state voters wouldn’t talk to the press or pollsters Then I guess it’s the coastal elites fault for not being fucking mind readers. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/52 "2016-12-20T13:11:52Z")
> [@Waymore](#): > > You should work in something about the roads too. Lefties love the highway system. [A bit of history:](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/history.cfm) > [@](#): > > The Interstate System has been called the Greatest Public Works Project in History. From the day President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the Interstate System has been a part of our culture as construction projects, as transportation in our daily lives, and as an integral part of the American way of life. Every citizen has been touched by it, if not directly as motorists, then indirectly because every item we buy has been on the Interstate System at some point. President Eisenhower considered it one of the most important achievements of his two terms in office, and historians agree. Yes, Ike was a famous Leftie. Of course, he would hardly fit into today’s Republican party. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/53 "2016-12-20T13:23:25Z")
I despise Trump and deeply dislike the Electoral College in principle but… > [@Fenris](#): > > Better to have 4 years of Trump than to have the kind of chaos you were hoping for. …the system we’ve got worked the way it was supposed to, more or less. Even if I hate the result, the effect of short-circuiting the system would have terrible short-term and long-term effects on the country which would be far worse than whatever the next four years under Trump will bring. > [@Algher](#): > > _Pandered_ by Trump, _Talked Down To_ by the Democrats. Yes, it’s terrible how the Democrats kept pointing out that Trump was lying to them. Trump: I will give everyone a free unicorn. Clinton: Nobody is stupid enough to believe that you… Trump voters: Waaah! She called us stupid! We want our unicorns! So yeah. Remind me again who the “butthurt” people are here, and good luck with those coal and manufacturing jobs and that wall and keeping all the Muslims out and the whole “making America great” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/54 "2016-12-20T13:29:38Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > You’re giving them much too much credit. Way too much credit. They won’t spend time thinking about what’s happened as long as they have their dirty t-shirts, cheap beer and wide world of wrestling on TV, they’ll be happy. You forgot guns and religion. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/55 "2016-12-20T13:29:59Z")
A question for Hillaryists: _ **What would your feelings be if Trump had won the popular vote but Hillary had won the electoral vote?** _ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ > [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > So you’ve got no skin in this game at all. None of this has any effect on you, right? > > You just popped in here to troll a bit, huh? :smack: No skin in the game?? 😕 I venture the U.S. Presidency has as much potential to effect some countries as that country’s own leader has! I would be more comfortable with the world outlook if Putin, Assad or Netanyahu were replaced with a more moderate leader — such a change would have more effect on U.S. global risks than the identity of a U.S. Congressman, or minor Cabinet Secretary. Non-Americans who don’t care who the Leader of the Free World is are probably under-informed … as are Americans who think those non-Americans shouldn’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/56 "2016-12-20T13:31:45Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > [A bit of history:](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/history.cfm) > Yes, Ike was a famous Leftie. Of course, he would hardly fit into today’s Republican party. Is there any truth to the claim that the Interstate Highway System was a Cold War project, originally intended to evacuate cities and give bombers emergency runways? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/57 "2016-12-20T13:37:56Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > You’re giving them much too much credit. Way too much credit. I’m not sure what people expected. Political Hacks have never been known for having much spine and some are Barely Vertebrates. (…if only I could tell the reader where to scroll for some fine examples… ) ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/58 "2016-12-20T13:38:38Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Is there any truth to the claim that the Interstate Highway System was a Cold War project, originally intended to evacuate cities and give bombers emergency runways? I don’t have time to do the research, although I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s been a military aspect to the project. But it wasn’t totally military–Ike did come out against the Military Industrial Complex. But–emergency runways for bombers? I doubt even the best highway could take a [B-36](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36_Peacemaker)… ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/59 "2016-12-20T13:40:39Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Bullshit. Trump won because of lazy and apathetic Democrat voters that assumed that Mrs. Clinton was a shoo-in. > > The people that voted for Trump ARE America’s most stupid and/or most uninformed Americans. They always will be, and the only cure for that is to out-vote them…which Democrats failed to do this time. Do you walk up to huge hulking bikers in bars and tell them how stupid, dirty and smelly they are? If you haven’t been, please start doing so. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186/60 "2016-12-20T13:49:56Z")
I think Trump’s a disaster but we need to eliminate the faithless elector once and for all in a constitutional amendment. The Enlightenment era brainchild seemed a logical one but more than two centuries later we see it for what it actually is: a failed Federalist thought experiment. America has become more democratic over the years, so the idea that there is some body of wise men (and women) who should have the divine power to override the electorate seems dated to say the least. Moreover, if you take even a cursory look at some of these electors, it’s not like we’re talking about paragons of erudition. Some of these characters are little more than barely employed career civic activists. There is a legitimate case to be made for dealing with an emergency in which we have valid reason to conclude that the president-elect has, in some rare set of circumstances, proven himself to be worthy of a collective second thought, but even in such cases, the guidelines would need to be very clearly prescribed and include both legislative and judicial branches at minimum. In the end, I’m just not in favor of overturning the will of voters, regardless of however distasteful I find a candidate to be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-useless-fucking-electoral-college/775186.md?page=4)