This System is Broken and We Need to Fix it

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Izzie Hamilton

After reading the arguments from both Burdett Loomis and Byron E. Shafer, I would say that the president should be elected directly by the people. Originally, there were several reasons behind why we have an electoral college system. One of the primary reasons was to give states with smaller populations some power when it comes to electing a president. The original framers feared that states like New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia would dominate who picks the president. They also knew that a majority of the population were not educated enough to pick the right candidate for the job of president. They believed that people needed wise men to dictate who would be best for everyone (1).

Despite this somewhat evening the playing field between states, this did and does not actually seem to be effective. As a resident of Alaska, I know that if I were to vote for a democrat, my vote will not matter because it will be republican anyway. This means that we do not get visits from presidential candidates. They do not care about my state not only because it only has three electoral votes to offer, it is also reliably a red state. I do not get to be an active participant in presidential elections. Other states, where every vote matters because they could swing either way, this is a very different experience. Just look at a state like Wisconcin during a presidential election cycle. This same experience is what propels Loomis to make his main argument. He also states that with his experience in presidential elections, he mentions that a majority of states are not competitive for a presidential election and makes the people in those majority states feel disenfranchised. Like their vote does not matter.

One other large loophole of the electoral college is that the system allows for something called “faithless electors,” or people who vote for a person that was not chosen by the people in that state. In fact, the Constitution makes it clear that electors are allowed to vote independently. This harkens back to the era of the framers when they believed that the population was not educated enough to make what they thought would be the right decision. Throughout the existence of the electoral college, 157 electors have voted against the state’s chosen winner (1). It is very concerning that there is not accountability in this system.

With these very worrying downsides of having an electoral college system, it is not wonder why I and others would believe that the electoral college needs to be abolished. Not only do a majority of states end up as little more than witnesses to an election, out ultimate decision as a state can be negated by a random elector. At the very least, it needs to be heavily reformed in order to meet the modern era of politics. As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well this system is broken and we need to come together across party lines and fix this issue.

(1) https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Big-Ideas_West_Electoral-College.pdf

The Role of an American Presidency – Izzie Hamilton

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Izzie Hamilton

The role of the president in the United States has changed since the creation of the presidency. In today’s world, the powers of the president have expanded far from what was conceptualized by our nation’s framers. The traditional role of a president was expected to have minimal responsibilities and framers had small expectations for the head of the executive branch. Unlike the more rigid boundaries set for Congress, those who created our constitution did not see a reason to specify the powers of a president. This ambiguity was unofficially made less so by the first few presidents, especially George Washington. He was able to oversee the government and provide a part in the checks and balances as envisioned by the framers.

However, as the world moved towards the industrial revolution and became more globalized, so too did the presidency expand. Presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt used the executive branch far beyond its original limits in order to pull the United States out of the Great Depression. Other presidents have used their role as the Commander in Chief to use military forces abroad (with the help of a compliant Congress). A president is also the head of government and the head of state. They are supposed to preside over the government and are responsible for the execution and enforcement of laws created by Congress. They also represent the United States to other governments of foreign countries.

The president has far more responsibilities than what was originally envisioned by the framers. A president is now the head of many bureaucracies that run the government. The president’s cabinet is their selection of how they want the federal government to be run and the many presidential advisors help make critical national decisions. A president can also be a great unifying (or dividing) force. In times of crisis, many American presidents have served as one who guides the will of the American people as the leader of a nation. Presidents can also divide a nation by making alienating statements and inciting hatred between the diverse groups of American people.

All together, the role of a president is ever changing with the current times. The framers would not recognize the current role of the presidency from what they had originally created. Many presidents have overstepped unofficial precedents of their office in order to achieve their goals for the United States and its people. Although it may seem concerning that this has been done, it can be justified by presidents as a necessity in order to fulfill the responsibilities inherent in their role in the government. However, it can also be seen as a precursor to more imperial presidencies. The president has to find a delicate balance between their responsibilities and keeping in line with the ambiguous framework of their duties. The only question is if the elected president is able or willing to strike this balance.

Introduction – Izzie Hamilton

Posted on September 4, 2022 by Izzie Hamilton

Hi everyone! My name is Izzie and I am a third year student this year at UAF. I am 20 years old and was born and raised in Fairbanks. My major is in Political Science with a minor in Foreign Languages (Spanish). After getting my BA, I plan to go on to law school to become a lawyer. I am a paralegal in the Army and love the study of military law.

I have always had an interest in politics. My interest mostly focuses on the study of government and it functions. Not only in the US, but around the world. Studying the presidency in the US, is not only fascinating, but also deeply important. It is an entire branch of our government and as the leader of the nation, they can have much influence. A president can do great good and promote a healthy democracy, or they can damage it. The main question I want answered about the influence of the presidency. We have seen in recent years how borderline sycophantic followers of one president can boil over into a take over of the Capitol building. What else could happen?

Well I am excited to take this class with you all and cannot wait to interact more throughout the semester!