Electoral College System Essay Example for Free

Electoral College System Essay The President and the Vice President of the United States are elected indirectly by an institution known as the Electoral College. The U. S. Constitution provides the broad framework through which electors are appointed and by which they cast votes for the President and Vice President. In evaluating the contingent election process, some commentators have suggested that any threshold inquiry requires assessing how often contingent election occurs. If the results of a general election are frequently inconclusive, they increase the likelihood of contingent election. The democratic criteria require implementing reforms that bring the people into the contingency process. Critics of the Electoral College system argue that the presence of viable and well-funded third-party or independent presidential candidates, who may be able to garner electoral votes by carrying a plurality of the votes in statewide elections, increases the likelihood of contingent election. Analysis of criticism of the Electoral College system There are several shortcomings of the Electoral College as cited by the proponents of the presidential election reform. These shortcomings have raised justifications for reform or abolition of the current system. One of the criticism is on the Electoral College is the Electoral College deadlock of the contingent election. In this one, the 12th amendment provide that the House of Representatives should choose a president and the senate chooses the vice president by contingent election if the presidential and the vice presidential candidates votes have not reached a simple majority of the Electoral College votes. The election of the president by the House of Representatives happened only once on the February 9th, 1825 where John Quincy Adams was elected as President over Andrew Jackson. This election was criticized by some commentators saying that it brought about a constitutional crisis since the president was selected as part of a political corrupt bargain because some of the presidential candidates were disqualified from the contingent election. Critics claim that this election removes the choice of president and vice president voters (Whitaker Neale, 2004). Another criticism is on the minority president which was expressed in the Electoral College misfire. In this one, the current electoral college system can result in the election of a minority president which states that the president can be one who wins the majority of the electoral votes even though he has lost the popular votes. This was experienced in the 1800s where three minority presidents namely, John Quincy Adams in 1824, Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and Benjamin Harrison in1888. The other criticisms are on the current methods of allocating electoral votes, the decennial census problem, and the faithless elector, presidential succession between nomination and inauguration, independent and the third party versus major party candidates. These criticisms have caused so many controversies that have made many people believe that the current Electoral College system is not a good system and therefore it needs amendment (Whitaker Neale, 2004). Advantages of various reform proposals. The electoral college reform proposals include (1)the district plan, awarding each state two at large electoral votes to the state-wide popular vote winners, and one electoral vote to the winning candidate in each congressional district; (2) the proportional plan, awarding electoral votes in states in direct proportion to the popular vote gained in the state by each candidate; and (3) the automatic plan, awarding each state’s electoral votes directly on a winner-take- all basis to the statewide vote winners (Amar, 1995). The advantages to the electoral-vote system include its tendency to produce a clear winner. The constitution is however subject to change, allowing for the second vote in case of depressed voter turnout. Great leverage is also given to third party candidates by requiring the winner to have a majority and by this it calls for fair and just elections. A National Election Agency is incorporated in the system to run the vote. However, the government also comes in to help, where the National Election Agency has fewer powers under the government (Amar, 1995). Despite the fact that the president alone is elected by the people, doesn’t mean he can legitimately defy the law. It is good to know that the elections are fair in that a presidential candidate who stands in his campaign and wins with a substantial majority of votes from the American people does of course gain the mandate. The candidate who emerges with the most electoral votes has a fully legitimate claim to the office for the next four years (Amar, 1995). Disadvantages of various reform proposals. In the U. S there is a rule that, a candidate chosen on the Election Day may not be the president. Therefore if it happens that a candidate has failed to win the national popular vote, he might be sworn in as the president by the virtue of claiming more electoral votes on than his opponents. Therefore the main disadvantage of such kind of proposal, is that if the sitting president who lost in the popular vote is returned again to power after his rejection, then there will be a wide condemnation on the Electoral college as a wacky anachronism which will lead to extensive demands for the amendments of the constitution in order for the replacement of the electoral vote with popular election (Longley, 2008). Due to this kind of proposals, there is a possibility of not telling the exact winner since the constitution is the main source of authenticity. The main disadvantage here is that there might be a possibility of both candidates having different fundamental campaigns which give different issues of emphasis and making frequent appearances in different states. Another disadvantage for this proposal is the argument on which candidate to take office and who was chosen by an archaic and wholly irrational system. If the electoral system is replaced, by the popular vote election, since it is not irrational there is a possibility of embarrassment on the president opting to be chosen by this process (Dellinger, 2004). Another greatest disadvantage of the present system of voting in U. S is that there is a possibility that the candidate who receives the most votes from the nation (people) may not take office. Therefore the present president in office may face many challenges and offsetting values since he or she was not put in by the majority. The disadvantage of the constitutional system for choosing a president in the U. S is not perfect and needs to be changed and therefore the candidate who emerges with most electoral votes has full justified claim to the office for four years (Dellinger, 2004). Conclusion It is clear that once the candidate chosen by the people of the United States on the Election Day may not become president. The candidate must choose the constitutional rules currently in place. In the voting parties, the party that receives more total votes nationally wins the parliament while the one with fewer total votes chooses the Nation’s prime minister. The constitution however, is subject to change (Longley Dana, 1992). Amending the Constitution to alter it would present a series of difficult questions: Will we give great leverage to third party candidates by requiring the winner to have a majority? Will we have a runoff, which might lead to depressed turnout for the second vote? Will we create a National Election Agency to run the vote and or leave it with the 51 governments who now run it? If those states report raw votes, will they somehow artificially increase the number of voters in the state or pad the totals—a temptation now avoided by having a set number of electoral votes for each state? These are not insurmountable objections to constitutional change, but they should certainly give pause (Longley Dana, 1992). References Amar, A. R. (1995). Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Death: Closing the Constitution’s Succession Gap Dellinger, W. (2004). Popularity contest in defense of the Electoral College, Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC. Retrieved October 26th, 2008, from http://www. slate. com/id/2108991/ Longley R. (2008). The Electoral College System, who really elects the president of the united states, About . com Longley, L. D. Dana, J. D. , Jr. (1992). The Biases of the Electoral College in the 1990s Whitaker, L. P. Neale, T. H. (2004, November 5). The Electoral College: An Overview and Analysis of Reform Proposals. CRS Report for Congress. Retrieved October 26th, 2008, from http://italy. usembassy. gov/pdf/other/RL30804. pdf.

Telecommunication :: Communication Technology Media Essays

Telecommunication Abstract What is telecommunication? Although a considerable number of studies have been actually conducted on telecommunication, I have never had academic opportunity to examine what it is. While the word ?etelecommunication?f has been brought to public attention, how many of us can exactly define it? How many of us can explain it in cultural context as well as in technological context? In my opinion, the word ?etelecommunication?f seems to be going forward itself so that our consciousness cannot catch up with it. As a new graduate student of the department of telecommunication, I hope to comprehensively understand what telecommunication is, and organize present issues systematically through this article. According to the requirement, this article consists of the following: areas and issues in telecommunication; key questions that telecommunication tries to answer; methods for studying, researching, and creating in telecommunication; and my learning and career goals for my telecommunication M A. What is telecommunication? In order to answer a kind of vague question such as what telecommunication is, I would like to focus on the areas in telecommunication in the beginning. Carne (1995) proposed the following: Telecommunication means communication from afar; it is the action of communicating-at-distance. In the broadest sense, it can include several ways of communicating (letters, telegraphs, telephone, etc); however, it is customary to associate it only with electronic communication systems such as telephone, data communication, radio, and television. (p.5) From this viewpoint, one may say that telecommunication is literally one of the ways of communication to receive or send massages. The question I have to ask here is what communication is. We unconsciously use the word ?ecommunication?f in a daily life. Then, how can we define communication, whose categories seem to range widely? In 1985 Charp and Hines described communication as the method by which we exchange sounds, signals, pictures and languages between people and places (p.13). From this definition, I realize that discussion in a class, conversation with someone by phone, writing a letter, reading a newspaper, and watching television are all grouped into the same category named communication because we exchange something with somebody by them. The question is what differentiates one communication from the other at more detailed categories. The first thing I notice is that the way of communication is different from each other: in some cases, communication from one to many or many to many, in the others, however, communication in person. In addition, it seems to depend on whether it is mediated or not.

Longevity

Whether it is or not people's decision how long they live is one of the most important debates nowadays. There are many factors that can affect someone's longevity, some of them are choices people make like smoking, drinking or keeping a healthy diet, but some other aspects Like socio-economic situation and genetic background may not be anyone's election. Penthouse this circumstances might affect the longevity of a certain person, this essay will argue that lifestyle choices are In fact the most relevant factor when It comes to life expectancy.Lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking, affect strongly a person's longevity. Penthouse not every smoking or drinking case ends In death, this lifestyle choices can lead to serious health Issues that can reduce the life expectancy of an Individual. A study held by L. Wilhelmina and other scientists, shows that there are many factors that can affect someone's longevity, and they conclude that non-smokers have a higher possibility of survivi ng.This is because smoking causes injuries in the immune, circulatory and respiratory systems and this further leads to diseases like anger and osteoporosis. But smoking is not the only threat to someone's health, drinking alcoholic beverages is extremely harmful, both mentally and physically, and can result with mortal consequences. According to Patrick M. Krueger, suicides, accidents, cancers and other diseases are the main causes of death in heavy drinkers. Drinking and smoking affect directly someone's life expectancy due to its health and mental consequences.In contrast, some socio-economic circumstances clearly impact on someone's longevity and lifestyle choices. Government interventions like the minimum wage, effect directly somebody's socio-economic situation, and economic instability can influence someone's lifestyle choices and longevity. For example, if the minimum wage decreases, and so does the price of fast food, a worker that earns a basic salary won ‘t be able to choose between fast food and healthy food because his budget only lets him spend in the cheapest food in the market.These can be In many ways someone's decision, penthouse aspects like the ones mentioned In the previous paragraph might Influence an Individual's choices. Obesity and sedentary can reduce someone's life expectancy. A study held by Kelly et al from The university Cambridge on the Impact of obesity In fife expectancy, predicted that overweight would reduce It by 0. 28 years. Longevity By militaries like socio-economic situation and genetic background may not be anyone's election. Say will argue that lifestyle choices are in fact the most relevant factor when it Penthouse not every smoking or drinking case ends in death, this lifestyle choices can lead to serious health issues that can reduce the life expectancy of an individual. Lets him spend in the cheapest food in the market. In countries like The United States income the lower the mortality, making it evident that income might be a method to identify the lifestyle situations, that lead to the health contrast within people of different economic groups (Marmot, 2002).On the other hand, overweight and the lack of physical activity alter negatively a person's life expectancy. These can be in many ways someone's decision, penthouse aspects like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph might influence an individual's choices. Obesity and sedentary can reduce someone's life expectancy. A study held by Kelly et al from The University Cambridge on the impact of obesity in life expectancy, predicted that overweight would reduce it by 0. 28 years.

Freedom After 50 Years By Nelson A.denis Essay - 1475 Words

Freedom Called After 50 Years The book War Against All Puerto Ricans Revolution and Terror In America’s Colony by Nelson A.Denis, was called to freedom after fifty years, this untold story is about the life of Pedro Albizu Campos and what he had went through while being the leader of helping Puerto Rico find their freedom. He saw Puerto Rico not being able to have their freedom and independence and horribly facing difficulties as a country, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico was in a rough position. Pedro Albizu became the first Puerto Rican man to graduate from Harvard Law School. As time went on he graduated and after he graduated from law school, he came to Puerto Rico to become an activist for suffering country to fight for what they deserved. Pedro watched his country become unsuccessful during the difficult events, he knew when he was old enough he wanted to make a change. During the war against the United States, Puerto Rico became weak as they began to run out of ideas to keep each other safe.Vi olence took over the island, assassins were sent to kill and repeatedly kill. During this time period President Harry Truman was killed by these assassins. Gunfights of no reasoning appeared in towns, police stations and post offices were being burnt down from left to right. In order to overcome these violent events, the US army developed thousands of troops and bombed two towns. Which, landed the first time in history that the US government had bombed their own citizens.