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Due to a really old technicality in our electoral system, we keep putting people in the presidency that the American people didn't actually vote for. Both Bush

Due to a really old technicality in our electoral system, we keep putting people in the presidency that the American people didn't actually vote for. Both Bush and Trump were not elected by a popular vote. The majority of American are being held hostage by a minority of voters with a disproportionate amount of political power. These un-elected presidents have had such incredibly far-reaching influences on the American political landscape, economy, and infrastructure (setting aside the fallout of the neocon's foreign military adventures).

tomjakubowski 6y ago
I agree with you that presidents who lose the popular vote have questionable legitimacy. But Bush did actually win the popular vote in 2004 (a majority even) for his second term, which is when he appointed Roberts and Alito.
- cma 6y ago
  Bush likely wouldn't have won 2004 without 2000 though.
newfriend 6y ago
It's not a technicality. It's the law. The popular vote means nothing in regards to the Presidential election. * The House is voted in by the people. * The Senate is voted in by the states. * The President is voted in by both. No one is being held hostage. This system was created purposefully, and has been the same since its inception. Your opinion on the matter is meaningless.
- phobosanomaly 6y ago
  The majority of Americans did not want either as president. It's not my opinion. It's the opinion of the majority of American voters. However, the law does not elect a president according to whether or not the American people wish them to be president. Seems like a technicality to me.
erichocean 6y ago
> Both Bush and Trump were not elected by a popular vote. Neither was Clinton. Sometimes it goes your direction, too.
- phobosanomaly 6y ago
  Clinton carried the popular vote in both 1992 and 1996. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_presidentia... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_presidentia... If you're talking about Hilary, the majority of Americans did vote for her, not Trump. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_United_States_presidentia... Edit: As erichocean pointed out, I am incorrect. Although Hilary received the most votes of any candidate, the majority of Americans did not vote for her. I think that my point still stands, however.
  - erichocean 6y ago
    43.0% is a plurality; a majority (57%) of people voted against Bill Clinton in 1992. But you knew that. Clinton also failed to get a majority of the votes in 1996, as did both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016.
    - phobosanomaly 6y ago
      Which candidate received the most votes from American voters in both 1992 and 1996? Based on the definition I understand, the candidate who gets the most votes nationwide is said to have won the popular vote. You are correct that the majority of voters did not vote for Clinton in 2016. I misspoke. However, she did win the popular vote. More Americans voted for her than voted for Trump. However, against the wishes of the voting public, Trump was elected president. The American people are being held hostage.
      - erichocean 6y ago
        In general, I don't think popular vote totals for President are relevant because they don't produce a winner, so people don't vote in states where their candidate will easily win. This is true for both "red" and "blue" states. I frequently don't vote here in CA because my choices win whether I vote or not. I can't be the only one who makes the same choice.

tomjakubowski 6y ago

I agree with you that presidents who lose the popular vote have questionable legitimacy. But Bush did actually win the popular vote in 2004 (a majority even) for his second term, which is when he appointed Roberts and Alito.

cma 6y ago
Bush likely wouldn't have won 2004 without 2000 though.

newfriend 6y ago

It's not a technicality. It's the law. The popular vote means nothing in regards to the Presidential election. * The House is voted in by the people. * The Senate is voted in by the states. * The President is voted in by both. No one is being held hostage. This system was created purposefully, and has been the same since its inception. Your opinion on the matter is meaningless.

phobosanomaly 6y ago
The majority of Americans did not want either as president. It's not my opinion. It's the opinion of the majority of American voters. However, the law does not elect a president according to whether or not the American people wish them to be president. Seems like a technicality to me.

erichocean 6y ago

> Both Bush and Trump were not elected by a popular vote. Neither was Clinton. Sometimes it goes your direction, too.

phobosanomaly 6y ago
Clinton carried the popular vote in both 1992 and 1996. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_presidentia... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_presidentia... If you're talking about Hilary, the majority of Americans did vote for her, not Trump. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_United_States_presidential_election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_United_States_presidentia... Edit: As erichocean pointed out, I am incorrect. Although Hilary received the most votes of any candidate, the majority of Americans did not vote for her. I think that my point still stands, however.
- erichocean 6y ago
  43.0% is a plurality; a majority (57%) of people voted against Bill Clinton in 1992. But you knew that. Clinton also failed to get a majority of the votes in 1996, as did both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016.
  - phobosanomaly 6y ago
    Which candidate received the most votes from American voters in both 1992 and 1996? Based on the definition I understand, the candidate who gets the most votes nationwide is said to have won the popular vote. You are correct that the majority of voters did not vote for Clinton in 2016. I misspoke. However, she did win the popular vote. More Americans voted for her than voted for Trump. However, against the wishes of the voting public, Trump was elected president. The American people are being held hostage.
    - erichocean 6y ago
      In general, I don't think popular vote totals for President are relevant because they don't produce a winner, so people don't vote in states where their candidate will easily win. This is true for both "red" and "blue" states. I frequently don't vote here in CA because my choices win whether I vote or not. I can't be the only one who makes the same choice.