The Electoral College is an undemocratic aberration of The Constitution. It can mitigate the damage it did by electing Bush and Trump and correcting the clear and present danger Trump represents.
Use the Electoral College to stop Trump from destroying us?
Podcasts (Video — Audio)
Summary
The speaker argues that Donald Trump’s potential return to the presidency poses an existential threat to the United States, given his lack of competence, moral failings, and dangerous appointments. They propose using the Electoral College—an undemocratic and flawed institution with racist origins—to prevent this outcome, citing its capacity to act as a corrective mechanism in extraordinary circumstances. Drawing from historical examples of its misuse, such as the Bush and Trump presidencies, the speaker acknowledges the paradox of relying on the Electoral College while advocating for its ultimate abolition.
Key Points:
- Trump’s Dangerous Leadership: His proposed second-term agenda and appointments demonstrate incompetence and disregard for public welfare.
- Electoral College as a Tool: While historically flawed and rooted in racism, the Electoral College might act as a temporary safeguard against Trump.
- Historical Failures of the Electoral College: Past outcomes, such as Bush and Trump presidencies, show the institution’s harmful effects.
- Moral Justification: Extraordinary measures, even from imperfect systems, may be necessary to protect democracy from authoritarian threats.
- Future Reform: While using the Electoral College now may be necessary, the ultimate goal should be its abolition for a more equitable democracy.
Progressive Perspective Summary
The video underscores the urgency of stopping Trump’s authoritarian ambitions by any means necessary, including the paradoxical use of the Electoral College. While the institution is fundamentally undemocratic, it could serve as a temporary corrective to prevent further harm to marginalized communities, democracy, and global stability. Progressives must seize this moment to stop Trump while recommitting to structural reforms that build a truly inclusive and democratic society.
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I find myself grappling with a profound moral and political dilemma as we approach the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency. The damage he inflicted during his first term was catastrophic—both for the United States and the world. His disregard for science, disdain for democratic norms, and destructive policies left a legacy of division and incompetence that we cannot afford to repeat. Yet, here we are, faced with the terrifying prospect of a second Trump presidency. In this extraordinary moment, I am forced to consider a deeply paradoxical proposition: using the Electoral College—a racist and undemocratic relic—to stop Trump from destroying the country.
Let me be clear. The Electoral College is a flawed institution with no place in a modern democracy. It was designed to protect the power of slaveholding states and to shield the elite from the will of the majority. Twice in the last 23 years, it has subverted the popular vote, installing presidents who did not have the support of the majority of Americans. In 2000, George W. Bush’s presidency, enabled by the Electoral College, unleashed the disastrous Iraq War, expanded the defense-industrial complex, and exacerbated inequality. In 2016, the Electoral College gave us Donald Trump, whose administration’s incompetence and cruelty led to over a million COVID-19 deaths, environmental backsliding, and an emboldened far-right movement.
And yet, despite my deep opposition to the Electoral College, I believe it could serve as a temporary corrective in this extraordinary moment. Trump’s second term would be even more dangerous than his first. He has already signaled his intent to use the presidency as a tool for personal vengeance, calling it an era of “retribution.” His proposed appointments—ranging from anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz—show a complete disregard for competence and ethics. These choices are not just irresponsible but dangerous, threatening public health, national security, and global stability.
I know some will argue that using the Electoral College in this way undermines democracy. But I believe the greater threat to democracy is allowing a man who has already tried to overturn an election, incited an insurrection, and demonstrated contempt for the rule of law to return to power. The Electoral College, as undemocratic as it is, was designed with the potential to act as a safeguard—albeit a deeply flawed one. If ever there were a moment to invoke this safeguard, it is now.
This is not an easy position to take. I am acutely aware of the long-term risks of relying on undemocratic mechanisms to solve democratic crises. But the alternative is far worse. A second Trump term would accelerate the climate crisis, dismantle protections for marginalized communities, and further erode trust in our institutions. Inaction would condemn us to a future of authoritarianism, inequality, and instability.
Even as I advocate for using the Electoral College in this instance, I remain committed to its abolition. This institution has caused immeasurable harm and is a barrier to true democracy. But in this exceptional moment, I see no viable path to stop Trump. Progressives must use every tool to protect democracy while continuing the fight for systemic reform. The Electoral College must eventually go, but it may be the last line of defense against an existential threat for now.
This is a call for courage and pragmatism. We must act decisively to stop Trump while laying the groundwork for a more just and inclusive future. The stakes are too high to do otherwise. Our democracy, our planet, and the lives of countless people hang in the balance.
I know this is wishful thinking, but if Trump continues to make a mockery out of our institutions with his nominations, maybe sensible Republicans will see him for the threat that he is. The rest of the world is watching. Our decline is obvious.
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