Originally Posted by
bionicarm
http:///forum/post/2806685
Now that I read it again, your previous comment makes no sense. You say you believe in the Constitution, but in the next breath you say that every amendment made in the last 150 years is a step backwards. Which means:
You believe it was wrong to abolish slavery, and grant the slaves the same rights as other American citizens
You think it was stupid to create the Income Tax and Electoral College (I'll give you these two)
You didn't want to repeal the 18th Amendment (Prohibition - hope you don't drink beer while watching football on Sundays)
Don't want women to vote (already stated that one)
Don't want Washington D.C. to have any electoral vote (another one I'll give you)
Don't want blacks to vote.
Don't care who succeeds the President if he/she is unable to hold office (If McCain gets in, I'll go for this one. We could bypass Sarah and go straight to Nancy!)
Think people under the age of 18 should vote (another one I'll give ya)
So all in all, I would tend to agree with you. However, I think the beer drinkers, women, an African American members of this forum may disagree with you a little.
To set the record straight I said "almost every... in the last 150 years".
The electoral college is in the body of the Constitution:
Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution states:
“ Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. ”
Article II, Section 1, Clause 4 of the Constitution states:
“ The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
Then amended by the 12th amendment in 1804 More than 150 years ago. The 23rd amendment dealt with DC in 1961. It was one of the few I mentioned that was good. I actually think the electoral college is a good thing. It keeps the balance of power away from the populus states, and has the effect of making your vote count a bit more if you are from a low population state.
The thirteenth amendment abolished slavery in 1865 144 years ago. Close to my window.
The 16th Amenedmet in 1913 lead to our current regressive wealth redistributing federal income tax.
1913 gave us the 17th amendment and popularly elected Senators. This inturn gave us the current pork barrel spending, as these senators have to run for election.
As to succession, it is intially laid out in the body Art 2 sec 1
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
Presidential Succession Act of 1947 further defined the lineage. The 25th Amendment cleared up the working i ht eCCOnsitution, but did not real "change" anything.