#538 Direct Vote

In Philippines, the President is elected by direct vote every six years. Perhaps, United States also may go for six years term; single term for a person; no second term. In that way, we could avoid frequent elections.

Four years term is a too short period for any president. Incidentally, all presidents had two terms.

• Barack Obama - 2 terms
• George Bush - 2 terms
• Bill Clinton - 2 terms

In the 2020 election, the president will seek for second term. Other candidates may need to address, either President Donald Trump or President Hillary Clinton. Anyway, the sitting president is in an advantage position and historically, the president is winning. Then, why do we need an election. Instead, let the president have six year single term.

Another thing, we could learn from Philippine presidential election is - direct vote. No electoral collage. Every vote counts. No winners take all concept. Perhaps, United States also adopt direct vote system.

Another important news is, John Kerry gave 33 million dollars to the Presidential candidate in Philippines. Here, Bernie Sanders fighting for $15 dollar minimum wage. But, John Kerry goes around and distributes dollars all around the world. John Kerry's innovative diplomacy is all about distribution of dollars to Iran, Philippines and other countries. Now, the rest of the world know, when you hurt United States, they will give you dollar to buy peace with you. It is Capitalism Diplomacy.

Philippines gets its own Trump

Rodrigo Duterte. Many refused to believe he could even become a serious contender. But, now, Rodrigo is the President of Philippines.

In this period, all over the world, people are tired of same old, monotonous, political correctness speech. In the current period, Political Correctness is a total failure. People, no longer enjoys sugar-coated, diplomatic format of speech. People seek raw, ugly truth.

Here at home, the Republicans didn't consider Donald Trump as a serious contender. Now it is too late for the Republicans. Meg Whitman has all tools and could predict about her business; but miserably failed to realize the rise of Trump in republican party. It is too late.

All those republicans, who is raising their voice now, should have done it at the very beginning itself. Were they all in deep sleep? It is too late for republicans.

In fact, Donald Trump did follow all the rules of the game. Trump didn't adopt any tricks or cheating. Trump has been very fair in political field. Trump didn't pull anyone's leg; Trump didn't cheat anyone.

In fact, Donald Trump did take the risk of skipping one debate. Trump didn't take money from big corporation. Everything is going in favor of Donald Trump.

Now, everybody have their hope on Hillary Clinton to stop Donald Trump. Soon, the democrats will also realize the truth and it would be too late for them too.

Then, it will be too late for citizens of United States of America.

In this current period, people see themselves in Donald Trump. CNN and other media may publish about Donald Trump business, tax info, bankruptcy and so on.  People may see those characteristics as the best successful businessman.

In this current period, does anybody care about character and integrity? No. Everybody is after wealth; by hook or crook, let us get rich.

The media may say, Donald Trump is all about I, Me and Myself. That is what all human beings in this world.

Media and the traditional politicians fail to understand the quality of current day human beings. Each and every individual is selfish.

You may think, Muslims will not vote for Donald Trump. That is wrong. Muslims living in United States would vote for Donald Trump. Not only Muslims, all human beings; that has become the nature of human beings.

When you observe any human being, you will understand the movement of their nature and behavior. When they come into United States as a legal or illegal immigrant, they start enjoy the freedom. Then, they go through the citizenship process. When they get green card, they may start complaining about outsourcing. When they become citizen, they may start complaining about visas and illegal immigrants.

Whether it is Muslim or Mexican or any human being,  once they get citizenship, they don't want others to come in. If you look at the data, only a very few, apply for visa to bring in their brothers and sisters. Every individual wants to live in United States and they don't want others, even their own family members to come and enjoy this nation. So, each and every individual is all about I, Me and Myself.

People will vote for Donald Trump. They may not have his name in the bumper sticker. They may not tell anyone that they are going to vote for Donald Trump. They may not even reveal in their life time that they had voted for Donald Trump. But they will vote for Trump.

People will not canvass for Donald Trump. They may not talk even to their family members or friends about Trump, but they will vote for Donald Trump. It will be a silent transformation.

Do we have value in family? No.
Do we have value in any social or political organization? No.
Are we Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton? No.
We are all different versions of Donald Trump.
Each and every individual see their own reflection in Donald Trump.

So, people will vote for Donald Trump. Certainly, Hillary Clinton cannot stop Donald Trump. People are not very enthusiastic about Hillary. Bernie Sanders supporters will certainly not vote for Trump; but they will stay away on election day.

Citizens of Philippine elected Rodrigo Duterte as their President.
Citizens of United States will elect Donald Trump as our President.

Citizens of United States are in no way different from Citizens of Philippine.

The only difference is, 538 Presidential Electors.

In Philippine, it is direct vote.
In United States, it is not direct vote.

In United States, citizens elect their Presidential Electors and those 538 Presidential Electors would then elect the President of United States.

Even after 300 years, Alexander Hamilton is right.

Don't give all the power to citizens for direct vote.  They will not elect the right candidate. They will elect popular candidate.

Don't give all the power to Member of Parliaments in United Kingdom. They will not elect the right Prime Minister. They will elect a puppet.

Give the power to 538 Presidential Electors and they will elect the right leader as the President of United States.

#538 Winner Takes All

Gregory Peck and Elizabeth Taylor are the citizens of United States. They are discussing about the American democracy.

Is it true that winner takes all?

Yes. it is. Only two states; Maine and Nebraska dare to be fair and right; the rest of the states continue with the tradition.

Does the constitution say, let winner takes all?

No. The constitution doesn't say that. In fact, the constitution gives the responsibility to the states.

The American Democracy has become like a traditional religious customs. The founder of any religion had a set of objectives. Over a period of time, priests gave a different kind of interpretation and the followers follow the traditional customs without understanding the core values.

That is the sad truth. Winner take all is totally against the constitution and its core values.

All religion starts with truth; but over a period of time they end up in chaos, confusion and terrorism. Certainly, founders had no idea that over a period of time, the interpretation took over the constitution.

Good that our founding fathers wrote the constitution down in paper and also signed it. Had they just assembled and came to an understanding and ignored to write it down, then today we may have several versions of constitution.

Winner take all - it is stealing. If you build a game for kids with winner-take-all concept, kids would say, "it is cheating."

Couldn't we have high precision voting distribution system?  Is it so hard to design and implement?

Why states? Let the winner take the whole country. In that way, we need not color the states with red and blue. Let the winner take the whole; then we either have red nation or blue nation.

That is not a bad idea. We will still be United States of America without divisive state colors.

Is it hard to adopt Maine system for all states. Maine system is the best one and fairly distributes the votes.

Congressional district level, we should be able to decide the winner; not at the state level.

Giving away entire 55 of California to a single candidate is not fair. In fact, George Washington got 67 Electoral votes from those 13 states.

California is so big and crowded. We could divide California into North and South; just like Carolina. In that way, winner may take 25 and 30.

Here at home, we have a wonderful constitution; but by practice, we build a very chaotic and confused democracy.

The worst thing, we try to preach about democracy in middle east countries.

How will it be, if we follow the Constitution?

The best thing is, Alexander Hamilton federalist paper # 68; election of the President.

If we follow the Constitution, people would elect the Presidential Electors from their 538 Congressional Districts. Let those 538 Presidential Electors elect the President.

If we follow the Constitution, then we don't need Nationwide campaign; big donation; big entertainment; and so on.

It will be a simple procedure. People elect high moral value citizen as their Presidential Electors.

#538 Faithful Electors

Historical Election Results

Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson are citizens of United States and they are discussing about the Presidential Election.

There had been around 50 presidential elections. On an average of 300 electors per election, historically,  there had been 50x300 = 15,000 electors.  Out of that, only 157 faithless electors. Not bad at all.

In order to prevent Electors from voting only for a "favorite son or daughter" of their own State, each Elector was required to cast two votes for president, at least one of which had to be for someone outside their home State. 

In that case, 31 Electors from NewYork in the current presidential election cannot cast their vote to either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.  Electors from New York may need to vote for Mike Pence or Tim Kaine.

That issue was resolved by the 12th Amendment. The 12th Amendment requires that each Elector cast one vote for president and a separate vote for vice president rather than casting two votes for president.

Two votes cannot be for candidates from the same state. 31 Electors from New York would cast one vote for Donald Trump and another vote for Mike Pence.

Likewise, Eleven Electors from Indiana would cast one vote for Donald Trump and another vote for Mike Pence.
  

The Manner of Choosing Electors 

Maine & Nebraska
Maine and Nebraska choose the Electors from each Congressional District. The actual election of President/Vice President occurs through the Electoral College. 

The “popular vote” is used to choose Maine’s 4 Electors, who convene at what is called the “Electoral College” at the State House in December to cast their “electoral votes.”

Maine has two Congressional districts. In 2012, the Presidential Electors were,

• Diane Denk of Kennebunk representing the 1st Congressional District
• Marianne Stevens of Kingfield representing the 2nd District, and 
• Craig Hickman of Winthrop and 
• Jill Duson of Portland.

Nebraska

(1) The Governor shall provide each presidential elector with a list of all the presidential electors. If any presidential elector is absent or if there is a deficiency in the proper number of presidential electors, those present shall elect from the citizens of the state so many persons as will supply the deficiency and immediately issue a certificate of election, signed by those present or a majority of them, to the person or persons so chosen. In case of failure to elect as required in this subsection by 3 p.m. of such day or in case of a vacancy created under subsection (4) of this section, the Governor shall fill the vacancies by appointment. Each appointee shall execute the pledge in section 32-713. 

After all vacancies are filled, the 5 presidential electors shall proceed with the election of a President of the United States and a Vice President of the United States and certify their votes in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

(2) The Secretary of State shall provide each presidential elector with a presidential and vice-presidential ballot. Each at-large presidential elector shall mark his or her ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who received the highest number of votes in the state and consistent with his or her pledge. Each congressional district presidential elector shall mark his or her ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who received the highest number of votes in his or her congressional district and consistent with his or her pledge.

(3) Each presidential elector shall present the completed ballot to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall examine each ballot and accept as cast each ballot marked by a presidential elector consistent with his or her pledge. The Secretary of State shall not accept and shall not count the ballot if the presidential elector has not marked the ballot or has marked the ballot in violation of his or her pledge.

(4) A presidential elector who refuses to present a ballot, who attempts to present an unmarked ballot, or who attempts to present a ballot marked in violation of his or her pledge vacates the office of presidential elector.

In the current system, the electors could cast their vote in any combinations. Here are the few worst case scenarios.

Let us consider 538 altogether. 538 Electors cast two votes
The best case scenario:

• 538 for Donald Trump as the President
• 538 for Mike Pence for the Vice President

Another best case scenario:

• 538 for Hillary Clinton for the President
• 538 for Tim Kaine for the Vice President

Here comes a list of worst case scenarios.

Case 1:

• 538 for Mike Pence for the President
• 538 for Donald Trump for Vice President

Case 2:

• 538 for Tim Kaine for the President
• 538 for Hillary Clinton for Vice President

Case 3:

• 538 for Mike Pence for the President
• 538 for Tim Kaine for Vice President

Case 4:

• 538 for Mike Pence for the President
• 538 for Ted Cruz for Vice President

This case will not be considered as "Faithless Electors." Even Nebraska cannot disqualify the electors. The electors are pledged to the party only; not to any individual; and definitely not for any post as President or Vice President.

Both candidates have equal chance to become the President. Only after oath ceremony, you will certainly say, this person is the President of United States.

The 538 Presidential Electors have so much authority and power. They could elect any citizen of United States as the President and Vice President. 

For instance, Clint Eastwood supports Republican and Meryl Streep supports Democrats. Both didn't participate in primary and not nominated by the convention. 

If the Presidential Electors come to an understanding, they could cast:

• 538 for Meryl Streep for the President of United States
• 538 for Clint Eastwood for the Vice President of United States.

So far, historically, the Presidential Electors have been behaving good and have not misused their power. But, you cannot assume that they will always reflect the voting pattern of the general public.

Hillary Clinton has greater control over Democratic party. But, Donald Trump may not have that kind of control over Republican party. People may vote for Donald Trump; but the Presidential Electors may not.

One good thing is, the Senators and House of Representatives cannot enter into the Electoral College. Otherwise, it was obvious many Senators would not vote for Donald Trump. Senator Ted Cruz will never vote for Trump.

The democracy is in a greater mess. Either respect and honor the Constitution, or amend the Constitution to fit to your wants and needs. You cannot continue with misinterpretation of the Constitution. 

The fact is, Constitution is in crisis.

 

 

#538 Alexander Hamilton

Electing the President

|| Federalist No. 68 || 

The Mode of Electing the President
From the New York Packet
Friday, March 14, 1788.
Author: Alexander Hamilton

To the People of the State of New York:

It was desirable that the sense of the people should operate in the choice of the person to whom so important a trust was to be confided. This end will be answered by committing the right of making it, not to any pre-established body, but to men chosen by the people for the special purpose, and at the particular conjuncture.
_______________________________________________________
Please read word by word; read Alexander Hamilton.

In this period, Alexander Hamilton, the proud New Yorker. is everywhere; he is in Musicals; now he is in 2016 Presidential Election.

Look at the words. Alexander Hamilton said it very clear.

not to any pre-established body
but to Electors chosen by the people for the special purpose
and at the particular conjuncture

Not DNC; Not RNC; Not any pre-established body.

Electors chosen by the people

Not the list of names from any candidates.

53 Electors chosen by the people of California for this special purpose in November 2016.
_______________________________________________________

Stop consulting with any Ph.D or any Professor of any University.

Just ask an elementary school kid to read Federalist Paper #68 and explain to you. The kid will tell you what to do. Just do that.

Had it been any other nation, these Founding Fathers would have become God for those people.

What a vision! Amazing!!
_________________________________________________________

It was equally desirable, that the immediate election should be made by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station, and acting under circumstances favorable to deliberation, and to a judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements which were proper to govern their choice. A small number of persons, selected by their fellow-citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations.

A small number of persons, selected by their fellow-citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations.

Let citizens of United States elect their 538 Electors.
Let 538 Electors elect the President.

___________________________________________________________

And as the electors, chosen in each State, are to assemble and vote in the State in which they are chosen, this detached and divided situation will expose them much less to heats and ferments, which might be communicated from them to the people, than if they were all to be convened at one time, in one place.

Alexander Hamilton is all about doing things RIGHT

In his period, there were only 13 states; and all of them are neighbors. Still Alexander Hamilton suggests to do things in their own state; not to be influenced by other states.

When Alexander Hamilton did things right, it did work for 13 states; and it still works for 50 states.

When you do things right, other nations in the planet Earth would adopt it too.
____________________________________________________________

They have not made the appointment of the President to depend on any preexisting bodies of men, who might be tampered with beforehand to prostitute their votes; but they have referred it in the first instance to an immediate act of the people of America, to be exerted in the choice of persons for the temporary and sole purpose of making the appointment. And they have excluded from eligibility to this trust, all those who from situation might be suspected of too great devotion to the President in office.

No senator, representative, or other person holding a place of trust or profit under the United States, can be of the numbers of the electors. Thus without corrupting the body of the people, the immediate agents in the election will at least enter upon the task free from any sinister bias.

Their transient existence, and their detached situation, already taken notice of, afford a satisfactory prospect of their continuing so, to the conclusion of it.

The business of corruption, when it is to embrace so considerable a number of men, requires time as well as means. Nor would it be found easy suddenly to embark them, dispersed as they would be over thirteen States, in any combinations founded upon motives, which though they could not properly be denominated corrupt, might yet be of a nature to mislead them from their duty.
_______________________________________________________________

Each word in Federalist Paper #68 is a keyword. Every word counts and cannot be ignored.

How could you totally and completely ignore this Alexander Hamilton paper and have been doing things just opposite of his words? How long this Federalist Paper #68 has been ignored?

_________________________________________________________________
Another and no less important desideratum was, that the Executive should be independent for his continuance in office on all but the people themselves. He might otherwise be tempted to sacrifice his duty to his complaisance for those whose favor was necessary to the duration of his official consequence. This advantage will also be secured, by making his re-election to depend on a special body of representatives, deputed by the society for the single purpose of making the important choice.

Alexander Hamilton repeatedly says:
depend on a special body of representatives
deputed by the society
for the single purpose of making 
the important choice
______________________________________________________________
All these advantages will happily combine in the plan devised by the convention; which is, that the people of each State shall choose a number of persons as electors, equal to the number of senators and representatives of such State in the national government, who shall assemble within the State, and vote for some fit person as President.

 Their votes, thus given, are to be transmitted to the seat of the national government, and the person who may happen to have a majority of the whole number of votes will be the President.

But as a majority of the votes might not always happen to centre in one man, and as it might be unsafe to permit less than a majority to be conclusive, it is provided that, in such a contingency, the House of Representatives shall select out of the candidates who shall have the five highest number of votes, the man who in their opinion may be best qualified for the office.

______________________________________________________________

Alexander Hamilton is the best Software Architect; Designer; and Developer.

Constitution of United States is the Software for Democracy.

Alexander Hamilton takes care of Errors and Exceptions. The best of the best human being. It still works. He is not dead; not at all. Alexander Hamilton lives even after 300 years.

He wants the Electors make decision - assemble within the state; and transmit your decision to the National Government. If all assembled in the national capital, they may lose their individuality and influenced by the loud voices.
________________________________________________________________

The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.

Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States. I

t will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue. And this will be thought no inconsiderable recommendation of the Constitution, by those who are able to estimate the share which the executive in every government must necessarily have in its good or ill administration. Though we cannot acquiesce in the political heresy of the poet who says: "For forms of government let fools contest That which is best administered is best," yet we may safely pronounce, that the true test of a good government is its aptitude and tendency to produce a good administration.
_______________________________________________________________

The Vice-President is to be chosen in the same manner with the President; with this difference, that the Senate is to do, in respect to the former, what is to be done by the House of Representatives, in respect to the latter.

But, in the current period, the Vice-President is a dummy person. In Alexander Hamilton perspective, the Vice-President is as good as the President.

Come on, guys! You need to stop the current way of conducting the election.
Respect and Honor the words of your Founding Fathers.
_______________________________________________________________

Alexander Hamilton is the best. 

#538 Jury & Electors

Aaron Hernandez Jury

The jury that sentenced Aaron Hernandez to life in prison on Wednesday want the world to know that they gave the ex-New England Patriots star a fair trial. 

The seven women and five men who voted to find the 25-year-old guilty of murder this week say it was a heart-wrenching decision, but one they made in confidence. 

On Thursday, the jury and alternate jurors sat down with Anderson Cooper to talk about the trial that has consumed their lives for the past three months. 

When asked if they knew who Hernandez was before the trial started, most raised their hands. However, they maintained that Hernandez's notoriety didn't have an impact on their decision. 

'It doesn't matter how much money you have or how much money you make. We're all people, and we're all equal, and we all deserve the same fair trial, and that's what we wanted to make sure we gave him,' juror Jon Carlson said. 

Only one juror, Rosalie Oliver, didn't know of the tight end who had a $40million contract with the local NFL team. On the other side of the spectrum is juror Kelly Dorsey - a lifelong Patriots fan, who watches the team every Sunday during football season. 

While most of the group said that they had no interaction with Hernandez during the trial, Dorsey says she locked eyes with him on Wednesday as the verdict was being read.

Sentencing Hernandez was no easy decision to come to for the jury who heard from 130 witnesses and reviewed 400 pieces of evidence since the trial started at the end of January.

The group deliberated for 35 hours over the course of a week, and decided that certain aspects of victim Odin Lloyd's killing warranted a life in prison without the possibility of parole sentence - the highest sentence possible in the state of Massachusetts where the death penalty is outlawed. 

The jurors will now be allowed to return to their day jobs, but they say the time they spent on the jury will stay with them forever. 

Oliver and other jurors say friends have been calling them up to congratulate them after the verdict - something that has left them speechless.

Listening to the arguments and giving a verdict, is a real challenge for the Jurors. But they do a very good job. Likewise, let us give the responsibility to the Electors; they will certainly elect the best President and the Vice-President.

In the Judicial System, they have a clear procedure and process to select the Jury. It does effectively work. Now, let us establish a process to elect the 53 Electors for California.

In the Judicial System, either the victim or the accused have any associations with the Jury. Jury are no way related or connected to the victim or the accused in the case. 

But, in the current election process, the candidates nominate 55 Electors for California.

It would be ridiculous, if victim or the accused give the list of names for the Jury.

Let us not take any list of 55 Electors from any presidential candidate; at least for California.

Let the people of California elect the 53 Electors from congressional districts. Let the November election be - all about the 53 Electors; not about any individuals.

Let the people of California delegate their responsibility to the 53 Electors to elect the President of United States.

If Jury could act with total responsibility, the Electors also will act with greater responsibility.

The Jury refused to let money and fame came into their decision. The Electors also will not let money and fame come into their decision. 

Let the people of United States elect 538 Electors and empower the Electors to elect the President of United States.

                             

Donald J Trump, The Juror

#538 Know Your Elector

Cary Grant and Sophia Loren are the citizens of United States discussing about the presidential election.

Sophie, look at this picture. They were the Electors from Virginia. In this picture, the Electors were with Governor Tim Kaine. On 15 December 2008, these Electors elected Barack Obama as the President of United States.

What! Cary, No Way!
Electors? Who are they?
How could they elect the President?

Yes Sophie. People do think that they elect the President. But the truth is, these Electors do elect the President.

Cary, I thought that We, the People of United States elect the President. Is it not true?

We, the People is still true. Let me quote from Alexander Hamilton:

"A small number of persons, selected by their fellow citizens from the general mass, elect the President."

Those small number of persons are Electors.

But, even in this quote, it is said that, "selected by their fellow citizens..."

Do citizens select or elect these Electors?

No. Right now, these Electors are appointed by the Presidential Candidate.

That doesn't sound right. As per the Constitution, citizens elect the Electors and those Electors elect the President. It is a two step process.

Do we completely skip the first step? That doesn't sound right.

Yes. Nobody pays any attention on the first step.

List of 538 Electors

Citizens do elect Senators and House of Representatives. Likewise, citizens have the right to elect these Electors.

Right now, by practice, we make these Electors are unknown and powerless.

But, by Constitution, these Electors as important as Senators and House of Representatives. We cannot make the Electors as dummies.

People delegate their power and authority to these Electors. Those 538 Electors has the responsibility to elect the President.

I salute those Founding Fathers. They spent so much of their life for the future generation. We need to respect them and honor their vision and values.

Let us just follow the Constitution word by word. Let us stop inventing new methods and new interpretations.

If we go word by word of the Constitution, how does the Election 2016 is going to be?

California Secretary of State

Let the Citizens of California ask the Secretary of State, Alex Padilla.

Could we take a fresh look at the Constitution and follow it in its words and spirit.

A congressional district is an electoral constituency that elects a single member of a congress. A congressional district is based on population, which, in the United States, is taken using a census every ten years.

California has 53 congressional district. I live in CA 18 and you live in CA 19

From CA 18, you elect an Elector. From CA 19, I elect an Elector.

Once the election is over, then all these 53 Electors assemble and then elect the President.

California has two more votes. 55 Electors are needed.

Let us give one vote to the Governor. Governor represents the whole state and the Governor deserves one Electoral vote to elect the President.

Okay. What about the last one?

May be, California Secretary of State or one Electoral vote to the State Judicial Branch.

That sounds nice. What is the process?

The Secretary of State may announce the date for filing nominations for the post of Elector.

Citizens apply for the nomination. Qualified candidates would be in the ballot.

Each congressional district elects one Elector. Then they elect the President of United States.

There is no need to abolish the Electoral College. Let us stop all our interpretation on the Constitution. Let us try to understand the Constitution and let us respect it and honor it.

Then, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and other would have a place in the history.

As they were the last Presidential Candidates had their names in the ballot.

Let us stop making the Electors as dummies. Let us empower the Electors.

Let the Electors with their Constitutional Authority and Responsibility would elect the next President of United States.

#538 Election of the Electors

The best reference for Electoral College

Michael Corleone and Julie Andrews are the citizens of United States. Long ago, they were migrated to US and became the citizen. Both of them are now discussing about the American political system.

Hi Julie, you look very enthusiastic.

Yes Mike. Nearly after 30 years of living in the United States, finally I learned about the American political system

Julie, I have been living here for 40 years and voted on 8 presidential elections. Still I don't understand the system. Why it is so complicated. Why did the founding fathers make it so hard?

No Mike. It is very simple. When I came into this country, the very first book I bought was The Constitution of United States. Finally, I understand the system.

We all left our mother country and came into United States to live with total and complete freedom. I do enjoy freedom; but I could have been happier, if the system is simple.

Come on Mike. In fact, you teach E = mc ²  But, you don't understand how the president is elected in United States.

Albert Einstein said:

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction."

"Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex."

Okay Julie. Are you going to make the Presidential Election simple?

Yes Mike. I should be able to tell my grandkids in simple words, the fact and the truth about the US Constitution; Election of the Senators; Election of the House of Representatives and the Election of the Electors.

Election of the Electors. I never came across this. Are you taking about United States or some other nation.

It is so sad. We have been lying to our kids in the school. Nobody tell the truth.

Lying what?

We keep saying that the people elect the President of United States. It is not true. It is a lie.

Is it not true? Then, who do elect the President?

Citizens elect the Electors and those Electors elect the President.

No Julie. You are wrong. I voted in 8 presidential elections. In the ballot, I saw the names of those President.  Let me give the list of names that I saw in the ballot.

• Barack Obama
• Mitt Romney
• John McCain
• George W. Bush
• Al Gore
• Bill Clinton
• Ronald Reagan
• Jimmy Carter
• Gerald Ford
• Richard Nixon

Yes Mike. These names were there in the ballot. But it is not the right way. It is a very very wrong way.

Really? 

Yes. With these names in the ballot, citizen may think that they elect the President directly. But, that is not true.

If citizens don't elect the President directly, then how could these names appear in the ballot?

Having these names in the ballot is totally and completely against the Constitution. 

What does the Constitution say about the election of the president?

Citizens elect the Electors. So, the ballot should have the names of those Electors?