We’re starting to find out that there’s an ancient 1825 election tactic that would allow for Congress to elect our next president.
It's a law that states, in essence, if a third party candidate runs and no single candidate secures the full 270 electoral votes needed to win, then congress will decide the next president. Given the probability that the GOP establishment will not get behind Trump, and likely run a moderate, "spoiler" candidate -- it is quite possible that no one single candidate (democrat or republican) will garner enough support to secure the 270 electoral votes.
However, we haven’t addressed the fact that we also get to choose 88 percent of Congress! That’s right, if you don’t believe it, this is the situation broken down.
The Current Numbers
Congress total: 535
Current: House
56.5 percent Republican
43 percent Democrat
Current: Senate
44 percent - Democrat
54 percent- Republican
2 percent- Independant
Remember that there are 100 senators so each one percent = one senator. How convenient!
So while the 1825 tactic is being applied to Congress as if Paul Ryan controlled a Republican Congress, Congress has a huge percentage of its seats available for replacement.
Up For Grabs
Senate
34 Percent of the Senate
House
100 Percent of the House of Representatives
Total of US Congress Up For Grabs: 88 Percent
(469 out of 535)
88 Percent of Full U.S. Congress
This is essentially like Apple potentially changing 88 percent of their employees, with the new population capable of voting in their favorite employee, CEO and Chairman.
Steve Jobs (2015)
Since Congress has control over the budget, costs, and expenditures of the United States, it’s the secret economic backbone of the country.
Knowing that we can elect nearly all of Congress into office that we support, we can ensure a better Presidential candidate, as well.
Regarding economics, the President proposes a budget and Congress approves or disapproves budgets that come all the way through. Congress has the power to tell the White House what they're allowed to spend and how much on what programs. This refutes popular opinion that the President controls the Economy exclusively. No surprise, but our founding fathers were smart enough in the Constitution to deliver a legitimate balance of power through the checks system.
Hamilton: The Musical (2015)
Therefore, one of the largest concerns for the Presidential Campaign should be a future President that uses Executive Orders and military control aggressively and disregards any congressional progress *cough* like someone who sounds like a *cough* Grump.
So what can college students do?
Make Congress Sexy!
Bottom line is students should start seeing the responsibility of electing their local US Congress candidates as just as important as the presidential candidates. When looking at a candidate, number one priority is spending money prudently, thoughtfully, and rationally. Pick somebody who has a strong finance, economic, or accounting background with social justice undertones, like an interest in human rights and mental health.
Candidates to avoid
People who just enjoy public speaking, the center of attention, and drawn to power and ego.
Charismatic and smooth-talking candidates are the most interesting to watch in the media, but often times lack financial expertise. Therefore, the sexy factor of our ‘hires’ is going to be less natural
Research your state’s US Congressional candidates, and find a way to make Congress sexy at your school.
If every college does this, we can take over Congress and save the country! For a few years.
