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mpho3's review against another edition
4.0
An important read and one that convinced me of a couple things - the benefits of the electoral college and the benefits of a two-party system. Ross is not only an engaging writer, but she also displays exhaustive knowledge of her subject. Though it's never unclear which side of the fence she is on, she gives ample and equal time to opposing viewpoints.
On her blog Ross describes herself as a "constitutionalist with a definite libertarian streak." She writes of Reagan as the best president ever. I believe he was an evil MF. She cautions readers about the potential pitfalls of pure democracy and reminds one of the benefits of a Republican democracy and federalism. She also cautions the dangers of switching to a direct vote system such as those advocated by Fairvote, Moveon, and NPV (national popular vote). While it's clear that things haven't always been working as they should (an opinion with which she would disagree), she advocates for how the system is designed to work, and that's where I give her high marks.
One fault of the book I find is that eventually her arguments become redundant, both within and between chapters. The entire thing could be boiled down to an essay, but that's not to say that the longer examination is unwarranted or inappropriate. On the contrary, I felt that some of her more esoteric points bear repeating.
In what is a second flaw, I especially find her naive to think backdoor deals don't happen all the time. She seems to think the Electoral College protects us from that, but that's far too ingenuous. In fact, I wonder if she genuinely believes that because it's a point she makes in passing once or twice and not with the same level of repetition as some of her other statements.
That said, this was a timely read. I picked up the book specifically because of our most recent and horrific presidential election cycle and very much of the mind that both the electoral college and the two-party system are detrimental to the nation's stability and well being at this point in time. Though she does not draw this particular conclusion, my own is that the real problem is the high number of people who (proudly sometimes) don't vote, and voters who are uneducated on the issues and on how the system works.
I vote, even when I don't like my options. But like many people, I don't always understand how things at least purportedly work. After debacle 2016, I plan to change that about myself, and this proves to be a good start. There are two things that Ross's book doesn't address - "superdelegates" and how the issue of slavery influenced the adoption of the electoral college, but I feel like I have a much more nuanced understanding and rejuvenated admiration for the unique presidential election system that's stayed intact for practically two and a half centuries! Sure we've had some bobbleheads at the helm, and I can barely grasp what fresh hell is in store for us these next four years, but it could be worse. Hard to believe I'm even saying that. Uggggh.
A different viewpoint: "Bill O’Reilly’s argument for the Electoral College: it keeps white voters in power" http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/12/21/14035608/bill-oreilly-electoral-college-race
On her blog Ross describes herself as a "constitutionalist with a definite libertarian streak." She writes of Reagan as the best president ever. I believe he was an evil MF. She cautions readers about the potential pitfalls of pure democracy and reminds one of the benefits of a Republican democracy and federalism. She also cautions the dangers of switching to a direct vote system such as those advocated by Fairvote, Moveon, and NPV (national popular vote). While it's clear that things haven't always been working as they should (an opinion with which she would disagree), she advocates for how the system is designed to work, and that's where I give her high marks.
One fault of the book I find is that eventually her arguments become redundant, both within and between chapters. The entire thing could be boiled down to an essay, but that's not to say that the longer examination is unwarranted or inappropriate. On the contrary, I felt that some of her more esoteric points bear repeating.
In what is a second flaw, I especially find her naive to think backdoor deals don't happen all the time. She seems to think the Electoral College protects us from that, but that's far too ingenuous. In fact, I wonder if she genuinely believes that because it's a point she makes in passing once or twice and not with the same level of repetition as some of her other statements.
That said, this was a timely read. I picked up the book specifically because of our most recent and horrific presidential election cycle and very much of the mind that both the electoral college and the two-party system are detrimental to the nation's stability and well being at this point in time. Though she does not draw this particular conclusion, my own is that the real problem is the high number of people who (proudly sometimes) don't vote, and voters who are uneducated on the issues and on how the system works.
I vote, even when I don't like my options. But like many people, I don't always understand how things at least purportedly work. After debacle 2016, I plan to change that about myself, and this proves to be a good start. There are two things that Ross's book doesn't address - "superdelegates" and how the issue of slavery influenced the adoption of the electoral college, but I feel like I have a much more nuanced understanding and rejuvenated admiration for the unique presidential election system that's stayed intact for practically two and a half centuries! Sure we've had some bobbleheads at the helm, and I can barely grasp what fresh hell is in store for us these next four years, but it could be worse. Hard to believe I'm even saying that. Uggggh.
A different viewpoint: "Bill O’Reilly’s argument for the Electoral College: it keeps white voters in power" http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/12/21/14035608/bill-oreilly-electoral-college-race
melisscharber's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! Explains electoral college in terms anyone could understand why it’s important. Every high school student should read! I know I don’t learn any of this in the 90’s! Looking forward to reading the authors new book on this topic!
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