Good thoughts, but I doubt it would work with the current political apparatuses. The EC would mean that essentially there would be 2 dominant parties, and the coalition would fail to unite.
Now, if we went from electing a president alongside the governing bodies and instead a consensus leader elevated on the votes of these coalitions. I *could* see this work. But I doubt that would ever get any traction.
Yeah, it was weird yesterday-- I was watching what was going on with Emmer and it became apparent to me that what you have is a breakdown of the coalitions. What would happen if you could mix and match coalitions in the House? You're right in that those bipolar divisions are largely calcified now, but suppose 20 or so moderate Dems were more free to swing over, allowing the GOP to dump the Freedom Caucus nihilists? What would that look like? Not sure any of the current GOP Speaker possibilities would appeal to any 20 Dems, but perhaps such a system would result in less power in the extremes and more moderation. Just thinking out loud here.
You're also right about the EC (and more particularly, that if nobody gets a majority it goes to the HOUSE) causing a problem here.
Alas, there are no "easy" or really achievable reforms that get us to a saner place, apart from the R's completely blowing up.
That said, they have a structural advantage afforded by the EC that means it is unlikely that they will fully self-destruct for several more election cycles.
Good thoughts, but I doubt it would work with the current political apparatuses. The EC would mean that essentially there would be 2 dominant parties, and the coalition would fail to unite.
Now, if we went from electing a president alongside the governing bodies and instead a consensus leader elevated on the votes of these coalitions. I *could* see this work. But I doubt that would ever get any traction.
Yeah, it was weird yesterday-- I was watching what was going on with Emmer and it became apparent to me that what you have is a breakdown of the coalitions. What would happen if you could mix and match coalitions in the House? You're right in that those bipolar divisions are largely calcified now, but suppose 20 or so moderate Dems were more free to swing over, allowing the GOP to dump the Freedom Caucus nihilists? What would that look like? Not sure any of the current GOP Speaker possibilities would appeal to any 20 Dems, but perhaps such a system would result in less power in the extremes and more moderation. Just thinking out loud here.
You're also right about the EC (and more particularly, that if nobody gets a majority it goes to the HOUSE) causing a problem here.
Alas, there are no "easy" or really achievable reforms that get us to a saner place, apart from the R's completely blowing up.
That said, they have a structural advantage afforded by the EC that means it is unlikely that they will fully self-destruct for several more election cycles.
Dang, this is depressing.