Comments on: Founding Choices http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices On Point is a live, two-hour morning news-analysis program, produced by WBUR 90.9 and NPR. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:30:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Don’t Miss: Joseph Ellis on “On Point” — The Mediavore http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5588 Don’t Miss: Joseph Ellis on “On Point” — The Mediavore Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:46:31 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5588 [...] Historian Joseph Ellis was on the Election Day “On Point” and if you missed this conversation about the founders, their view of elections, and “original intent,” you should circle back, as I did yesterday. [...] [...] Historian Joseph Ellis was on the Election Day “On Point” and if you missed this conversation about the founders, their view of elections, and “original intent,” you should circle back, as I did yesterday. [...]

]]> By: PA http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5573 PA Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:38:27 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5573 Ellis may have a Pulitzer, but he's still slime. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EFDC103EF93BA2575BC0A9679C8B63 Ellis may have a Pulitzer, but he’s still slime.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EFDC103EF93BA2575BC0A9679C8B63

]]> By: Peter Braun http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5469 Peter Braun Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:40:33 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5469 I understand that Professor Ellis, whose historical work I much admire, said that he would likely not see a change in the electoral college in his lifetime. I suggest that he apprise himself of the remarkable initiative making its way through many state legislatures that may upset his prediction. Please suggest to Professor Ellis to go immediately to the website of National Popular Vote http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ Four states (Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Maryland) comprising 50 electoral votes, have already passed and signed this legislation; it is progressing through the legislatures of many other states, including the largest ones. The bill calls for each such state to cast all its electoral votes for the presidential candidate who has won the national popular vote. The measure becomes binding once enough states with the necessary 270 or more electoral votes have enacted the bill. I understand that Professor Ellis, whose historical work I much admire, said that he would likely not see a change in the electoral college in his lifetime. I suggest that he apprise himself of the remarkable initiative making its way through many state legislatures that may upset his prediction. Please suggest to Professor Ellis to go immediately to the website of National Popular Vote http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ Four states (Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Maryland) comprising 50 electoral votes, have already passed and signed this legislation; it is progressing through the legislatures of many other states, including the largest ones. The bill calls for each such state to cast all its electoral votes for the presidential candidate who has won the national popular vote. The measure becomes binding once enough states with the necessary 270 or more electoral votes have enacted the bill.

]]> By: jeff http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5467 jeff Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:24:32 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5467 What I find so disturbing is the lack of intellectual curiosity and the the amount of stupidity that now prevails in this country. To think that there are people who are running our government who believe in talking snakes. The Framers would be both proud and shocked by todays election. However they would not be surprised by the venom being put forth by both parties. What I find so disturbing is the lack of intellectual curiosity and the the amount of stupidity that now prevails in this country. To think that there are people who are running our government who believe in talking snakes.

The Framers would be both proud and shocked by todays election. However they would not be surprised by the venom being put forth by both parties.

]]> By: Peter Nelson http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5466 Peter Nelson Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:18:48 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5466 <i>Why does Peter Nelson think it is his duty to respond to individual questions on this website? Every time I come on this site to check comments, I see Mr. Nelson is the primary contributor.</i> Before or during the broadcast people post questions for the guests. But afterwards this is a discussion forum. Discussion requires two-way conversation, so it's apppropriate to respond to other people's comments. I admit that I am an opinionated poster, but I make every effort to be well-informed and to cite sources. Prior to your comment I made 3 out of the 15 comments here, which hardly seems like I'm dominating the conversation. At least one other poster also made 3 comments. So rather than curse the darkness, light a candle - contribute more to the conversation <b>yourself</b>. This is a rich topic and could easily be expanded-upon with any number of historical examples or political science perspectives. Our Founding Fathers were sons of the Enlightenment and, as such, were creating a political science experiment. "Founding Choices" is exactly the right title because there are many choices they could have made, and many more choices available today, thanks to academic research on alternative voting systems. Here's a link to a good LWV summary: http://www.lwvmn.org/LWVMNAlternativeVotingStudyReport.pdf Why does Peter Nelson think it is his duty to respond to individual questions on this website? Every time I come on this site to check comments, I see Mr. Nelson is the primary contributor.

Before or during the broadcast people post questions for the guests. But afterwards this is a discussion forum. Discussion requires two-way conversation, so it’s apppropriate to respond to other people’s comments.

I admit that I am an opinionated poster, but I make every effort to be well-informed and to cite sources. Prior to your comment I made 3 out of the 15 comments here, which hardly seems like I’m dominating the conversation. At least one other poster also made 3 comments.

So rather than curse the darkness, light a candle – contribute more to the conversation yourself. This is a rich topic and could easily be expanded-upon with any number of historical examples or political science perspectives. Our Founding Fathers were sons of the Enlightenment and, as such, were creating a political science experiment. “Founding Choices” is exactly the right title because there are many choices they could have made, and many more choices available today, thanks to academic research on alternative voting systems.
Here’s a link to a good LWV summary:
http://www.lwvmn.org/LWVMNAlternativeVotingStudyReport.pdf

]]> By: Bill http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5465 Bill Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:46:54 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5465 Why does Peter Nelson think it is his duty to respond to individual questions on this website? Every time I come on this site to check comments, I see Mr. Nelson is the primary contributor. I think his insight is valuable, but at times he acts like the moderator of this site and that is not necessary. Mr. Nelson, please regulate your posts. Your credibility is reduced when you make too many comments. Tom, thanks for a great show and happy election day to you all. Why does Peter Nelson think it is his duty to respond to individual questions on this website? Every time I come on this site to check comments, I see Mr. Nelson is the primary contributor. I think his insight is valuable, but at times he acts like the moderator of this site and that is not necessary. Mr. Nelson, please regulate your posts. Your credibility is reduced when you make too many comments.

Tom, thanks for a great show and happy election day to you all.

]]> By: Linda Corrigan http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5463 Linda Corrigan Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:08:33 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5463 I am so proud and excited about this election year and voting for this historic time. I had to vote by mail due to my work hours, and I am especially proud that my adult children are voting this year as well. They wanted to know how I voted, I voted Obama, and No on 8. They are doing the same thing because they beleive that if the proposition passed, that their constitutional rights would be threaten, and changed and it would change for their children as well. They are saying don't turn the clocks back in time. A time of choas, racism and discrimination and time of civil rights. My daughters understand what that means, how it affected my life and their fathers, and now they are concerned about their future. The stories of the past tell them my experiences of racism,in which at the time,didn't quite understood the impact. As adults, they understand because they experienced it as well. I've always taught my children to read the information, research history, pay attention to laws being passed, and to work toward a freeer and educated society. I am proud that they are taking that step and that they are involved in the changes. That democracy means freedom to choose who they want in their life, where they desire to live, and contribute to the betterment of society. That education is important and knowledge is power. That is what I convey to them always. Thank you Linda Corrigan-Counselor-Oxnard, CA I am so proud and excited about this election year and voting for this historic time. I had to vote by mail due to my work hours, and I am especially proud that my adult children are voting this year as well. They wanted to know how I voted, I voted Obama, and No on 8. They are doing the same thing because they beleive that if the proposition passed, that their constitutional rights would be threaten, and changed and it would change for their children as well. They are saying don’t turn the clocks back in time. A time of choas, racism and discrimination and time of civil rights. My daughters understand what that means, how it affected my life and their fathers, and now they are concerned about their future. The stories of the past tell them my experiences of racism,in which at the time,didn’t quite understood the impact. As adults, they understand because they experienced it as well. I’ve always taught my children to read the information, research history, pay attention to laws being passed, and to work toward a freeer and educated society. I am proud that they are taking that step and that they are involved in the changes. That democracy means freedom to choose who they want in their life, where they desire to live, and contribute to the betterment of society. That education is important and knowledge is power. That is what I convey to them always. Thank you Linda Corrigan-Counselor-Oxnard, CA

]]> By: Peter Nelson http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5462 Peter Nelson Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:06:57 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5462 <i>I was wondering about the bail out. I know that with this election change is coming. However, I have a great Idea. There are 50 states. Why not give each state 1 billion dollars each,</i> Considering that you're from California, I'm suprised you think it should divided by state rather than population. $1B is a much bigger windfall for a state of 500K population like Wyoming than it is for a state with 36M population like California. Anyway, why give the money to people who have already demonstrated they can't manage money? I think they should give the money to people who have consistently shown they <b>can</b> manage money and won't waste it. People who have saved their money and made conservative investments. People with no credit-card debt, car loans, or other consumer debt. People such as ... me! 8-) I was wondering about the bail out. I know that with this election change is coming. However, I have a great Idea. There are 50 states. Why not give each state 1 billion dollars each,

Considering that you’re from California, I’m suprised you think it should divided by state rather than population. $1B is a much bigger windfall for a state of 500K population like Wyoming than it is for a state with 36M population like California.

Anyway, why give the money to people who have already demonstrated they can’t manage money? I think they should give the money to people who have consistently shown they can manage money and won’t waste it. People who have saved their money and made conservative investments. People with no credit-card debt, car loans, or other consumer debt. People such as … me! 8-)

]]> By: Linda Corrigan http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5461 Linda Corrigan Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:44:08 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5461 Opps, I meant to say Top to bottom. Linda Corrigan-Oxnard, CA Opps, I meant to say Top to bottom. Linda Corrigan-Oxnard, CA

]]> By: Linda Corrigan http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5460 Linda Corrigan Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:39:18 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5460 I was wondering about the bail out. I know that with this election change is coming. However, I have a great Idea. There are 50 states. Why not give each state 1 billion dollars each, that is only 50 billion out of the 700 billion. Hardly a much of a hit. MOst of the upper corps and banks are not trickling down their rates to the bottom half of the population. I still pay high interest rates on cards. Let us give the money to the states, and let them trickle the money downward to the human services that will have an affect. to education to aliviate the budget woes about to happen. Too services that benefit the communities and would relieve some of the burden from the states. I beleive in the trickle up theory and I bet things would start moving faster if we went from the bottom up rather than the bottom down. Linda Corrigan, Counselor-Oxnard, CA I was wondering about the bail out. I know that with this election change is coming. However, I have a great Idea. There are 50 states. Why not give each state 1 billion dollars each, that is only 50 billion out of the 700 billion. Hardly a much of a hit. MOst of the upper corps and banks are not trickling down their rates to the bottom half of the population. I still pay high interest rates on cards. Let us give the money to the states, and let them trickle the money downward to the human services that will have an affect. to education to aliviate the budget woes about to happen. Too services that benefit the communities and would relieve some of the burden from the states. I beleive in the trickle up theory and I bet things would start moving faster if we went from the bottom up rather than the bottom down. Linda Corrigan, Counselor-Oxnard, CA

]]> By: Peter Nelson http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5457 Peter Nelson Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:44:35 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5457 <i>Were the founding fathers naive for designing a government without political parties? </i> Personally I think that political parties are the bane of our politics, so why encourage them? Political parties stand between the people and their government and create the illusion that the entire and diverse range of political philosophy and opinion can be boiled down to n parties (where n is the number of parties in power). I tend to be liberal on social policy and environmental topics and conservative on business/fiscal/economic policy. There is no party on my ballot that represents my views. Anyway, how should a system of government be devised that takes into account parties? Were the founding fathers naive for designing a government without political parties?

Personally I think that political parties are the bane of our politics, so why encourage them? Political parties stand between the people and their government and create the illusion that the entire and diverse range of political philosophy and opinion can be boiled down to n parties (where n is the number of parties in power).

I tend to be liberal on social policy and environmental topics and conservative on business/fiscal/economic policy. There is no party on my ballot that represents my views.

Anyway, how should a system of government be devised that takes into account parties?

]]> By: PJS http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5456 PJS Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:37:56 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5456 P.N., thank you for the reminder. Regardless of the outcome at the end of this day, it (our Constitution) will still serve us well, I believe. And, in 4 years we will continue the lively debate - AND, vote again!! At the risk of showing my sympathies, as well as my age, I do feel sad, however, that I will not, almost certainly, have the opportunity of voting again for John McCain. I will console myself with the obvious fact - there must always be a loser, as well as a winner. And, I will also have the opportunity to see our first African American President inaugurated, as a consolation prize. MAYBE, I am a bit premature with this prediction. PJS P.N., thank you for the reminder. Regardless of the outcome at the end of this day, it (our Constitution) will still serve us well, I believe. And, in 4 years we will continue the lively debate – AND, vote again!! At the risk of showing my sympathies, as well as my age, I do feel sad, however, that I will not, almost certainly, have the opportunity of voting again for John McCain. I will console myself with the obvious fact – there must always be a loser, as well as a winner. And, I will also have the opportunity to see our first African American President inaugurated, as a consolation prize. MAYBE, I am a bit premature with this prediction. PJS

]]> By: J http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5455 J Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:03:13 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5455 'There were a lot of casualties',it was said, 'if you got there [the Ohio Valley] to early', but did the proportion of casualties decrease later if we are considering human casualties without regard to sides? ‘There were a lot of casualties’,it was said, ‘if you got there [the Ohio Valley] to early’, but did the proportion of casualties decrease later if we are considering human casualties without regard to sides?

]]> By: Sam http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5454 Sam Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:03:00 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5454 What's this? a first hour in which the main topic doesn't revolve around McCain and or Obama; the elections been fun but I couldn't be more happy about it being over either though. What’s this? a first hour in which the main topic doesn’t revolve around McCain and or Obama; the elections been fun but I couldn’t be more happy about it being over either though.

]]> By: andrew http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5453 andrew Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:02:45 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5453 i heard the logic behind the electoral college, very interesting with regard to the balance between popular representation and state representation. the aurthor suggests he doesn't foresee a change to direct popular vote in his lifetime. i am curious about his thoughts about a more representative electoral college where the electoral college votes for each state go to both candidates in proportion to the popular vote in the state. i believe there are a few states that currrently do this, with maine being one of them . i would think this would reduce the risk of winning the overall popular vote and losing the overall electoral college vote.. is there any push or trend in that direction? i heard the logic behind the electoral college, very interesting with regard to the balance between popular representation and state representation. the aurthor suggests he doesn’t foresee a change to direct popular vote in his lifetime. i am curious about his thoughts about a more representative electoral college where the electoral college votes for each state go to both candidates in proportion to the popular vote in the state. i believe there are a few states that currrently do this, with maine being one of them . i would think this would reduce the risk of winning the overall popular vote and losing the overall electoral college vote.. is there any push or trend in that direction?

]]> By: David Polan http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5451 David Polan Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:00:18 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5451 Wow! Great show on this historic day. Many many thanks!! Wow!
Great show on this historic day.
Many many thanks!!

]]> By: Steve Harris http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5450 Steve Harris Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:40:06 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5450 Correction to my previous post: only 21 states, representing 19% of the needed electors, have signed on. Correction to my previous post: only 21 states, representing 19% of the needed electors, have signed on.

]]> By: Michael D. Maginn http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5449 Michael D. Maginn Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:39:16 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5449 Please ask Professor Ellis why he thinks the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers managed to muddle through while the French Revolution failed in its effort to build a republic. Please ask Professor Ellis why he thinks the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers managed to muddle through while the French Revolution failed in its effort to build a republic.

]]> By: Justin http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5448 Justin Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:37:54 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5448 Were the founding fathers naive for designing a government without political parties? Were the founding fathers naive for designing a government without political parties?

]]> By: Steve Harris http://www.onpointradio.org/2008/11/americas-founding-choices/comment-page-1#comment-5447 Steve Harris Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:37:32 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=12773#comment-5447 Regarding direct popular election of the president, you should be aware of http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/, which proposes NOT to get rid of the electoral college but rather to have enough states direct their electors to vote for the candidate that receives the most votes. Currently, 50% of the necessary electors/states have signed on. Regarding direct popular election of the president, you should be aware of http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/, which proposes NOT to get rid of the electoral college but rather to have enough states direct their electors to vote for the candidate that receives the most votes.

Currently, 50% of the necessary electors/states have signed on.

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