Progressive organizations are quietly pushing a "popular vote" that could see only 14 states - those with the largest populations - decide the presidency for voters in all 50 states.
The vote for president is the only one in which all Americans vote for a national leader. In framing the U.S. Constitution the Founding Fathers displayed their characteristic wisdom and subtlety in firmly rejecting a purely popular vote to elect the president, in order to balance the power of the larger states against the smaller.
The Electoral College was fashioned as a compromise between an election of the president by direct popular vote and election by Congress.
However, a group backed by the progressive left, calling itself the National Popular Vote, or NPV, has already been successful in quietly pushing for abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a "popular vote."
Under the rubric of a 'National Popular Vote,' this plan would allow the 14 most populous American states, mostly majority-Democrat, to determine the outcome of future presidential elections. The voters of the 36 less populous states would then effectively be disenfranchised.
The plan is already gaining traction.
In 2007, Maryland became the first state to approve a "national popular vote" compact. As a result, in a theoretical winner-take-all contest, Maryland would allocate all of its 10 electoral votes to the candidate who won the most votes nationally – even if the same candidate did not win the most votes in Maryland.
By March 2012, eight states – California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington, plus the District of Columbia – had enacted the "national popular vote" into law.
Two other states, Colorado and Rhode Island, had passed it in both houses, but it had not been enacted. Ten more states had passed it in one house, and 10 others had passed it in a committee. Eleven states had held hearings on it, and nine more states had introduced bills.
By March 2012, eight states – California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington, plus the District of Columbia – had enacted the "national popular vote" into law.
Two other states, Colorado and Rhode Island, had passed it in both houses, but it had not been enacted. Ten more states had passed it in one house, and 10 others had passed it in a committee. Eleven states had held hearings on it, and nine more states had introduced bills.
While organizational support comes almost exclusively from left-leaning groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the League of Women Voters, the Soros-funded Common Cause and the Demos group, NPV's army of lobbyists has also been pushing its plan to the Republican National Committee, the American Legislative Exchange Council and conservative think tanks such as the Heartland Institute and the Heritage Foundation.
There is, however, one hitch in the NPV plan: For a "national popular vote" to predominate, the full 270 electoral votes must be based on identical legislation (the "interstate compact") passed by each state.
There is, however, one hitch in the NPV plan: For a "national popular vote" to predominate, the full 270 electoral votes must be based on identical legislation (the "interstate compact") passed by each state.
Is this how Obama will steal the election?
We need to stop this NOW. Contact you elected officials and voice your stand before it’s too late.
God bless,
JohnnyD
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