Enlightened Democracy

The Case for the Electoral College, 2nd Edition

By: Tara Ross

Narrated by: Tara Ross

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Pick up a newspaper and read about the Electoral College. It is a sure recipe for losing respect for the institution. Media commentators are swift to dismiss the institution as outdated and elitist, an anachronism that should be replaced by a direct popular vote. In recent years, this discontent has found a voice as a well-funded, California-based effort seeks to bypass the constitutional amendment process and effectively eliminate the Electoral College through a series of state laws. Such efforts to eliminate the Electoral College are misguided, and this audiobook tells why.

In straightforward language, Enlightened Democracy traces the history of the Electoral College from the Constitutional Convention to the present. This second edition of the book is revised and expanded to include a new section about the National Popular Vote legislative effort. The Electoral College protects our republic and promotes our liberty. Americans should defend their unique presidential election system at all costs.

©2004, 2012 Tara Ross, George Will (Foreword) (P)2012 Tara Ross, George Will (Foreword)

I love the Electoral College!

Would you consider the audio edition of Enlightened Democracy to be better than the print version?

I just finished listening to the audio edition of Enlightened Democracy. I loved it. I learned so very much, was informed about so many issues that I was not aware of, and I totally respect the data and facts used to make the various points.

What did you like best about this story?

The many different approaches the author used to question the validity of each idea, where it might take America in the future, if implemented, and whether a similar idea was ever implemented in our past. Excellent research.

What about Tara Ross’s performance did you like?

I am so very glad she read the book on the audible version. She brings the entire subject to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I want to buy a copy for everyone, give a copy to every teacher to share with students, and spread it far and wide to help Americans know the facts about the Electoral College and what it means to Americans.

Any additional comments?

Thank you, Tara, for taking the time to write and read it!

Fair and rational.

I enjoyed this book, it fairly debates this multi-faceted issue and points out pluses and minuses of several options to and changes to the Electoral College and its process. It’s a no-brainer that the Electoral College must stay if for no other reason than to prevent a couple large, highly populated cities to determine a President with unwanted and tyrannical views on the rest of the nation. The Electoral College forces a candidate to form alliances across the nation to truly be a President elected by most of the States, not just a couple heavily populated ones, giving even the smallest States a voice. You end up with a President that represents more of the country in this way. People forget that we are a Democratic Republic, not a Democracy. A true Democracy only leads to tyranny and minorities are left out.
Read it and decide for yourself, it’s well thought out, and well presented in my opinion.

Pursuasive defense

Organized, methodical and well researched defense of the electoral college. It was a pleasure to read!

Great example of why an author shouldn't narrate

Fascinating subject and book ruined by the author narrating. She talks way too fast and without the polish of an experienced narrator. If you slow it down to 75% it's tolerable, but then too slow. I wish audible had a a 10% speed reduction available. I'm slowing making my way through this book, which I find very interesting, but I can't bear to listen to the narration for more than 30 minutes at a time. If I weren't so interested in the subject, I would have returned it because of the narration.

An engrossing, conservative view.

Would you consider the audio edition of Enlightened Democracy to be better than the print version?

No. I think they complement one another nicely. The audio provides an efficient, informative overview; the hard copy, a meaningfully referenced source material.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The compelling arguments for protecting minority values and perspectives, not to be bullied by potentially irrational majority rule.

What about Tara Ross’s performance did you like?

Clear, unhurried, objective, nuanced narration. Very nicely narrated indeed.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Gosh. Too many to identify only one.

Any additional comments?

I tend toward progressiveness. This audio made me rethink my inclination. I am appreciative of the gentle, informed, respectful counterpoise.

compelling

at times can be boring, but it is very straight forward, a must listening to.

Hold your breath

Listening to this book was like holding two lung fulls of air whilst sitting on a toilet, pants down, clenching back a huge turd, and being fed large spoonfuls of dry Metamucil by Tara Ross herself.
Her views are anchored heavily on two main ideas. 1)”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Meaning that it’s worked almost perfectly up until this point, despite mentioning early on in the book that a vast majority of surveyed Americans believed we should reform the outdated system. 2) “Would the framers (founding fathers) want us to change something they worked so hard on?” In the spirit of bias- which this book very much so is- yes. If the founding fathers followed a doctrine of “cling to the past because what I’m used to” instead of comprehensive reform, adaptation, and evolution, the fucking revolutionary war wouldn’t have happened at all. It’s like insisting that we fight WWII with muzzle loaders because it’s what the founding fathers did. I also find it hard to agree with a group of “intellectuals” who insisted on staying in Philadelphia during an apparently sweltering summer to complete the most important outlining of American history, and none of them said “hey, it’s hot as fuck here, mayhaps we should head north so we don’t suffer while we work on the future of this nation who’s independence we just won.”
When you’re anchored in the past, it’s impossible to move forward. Embrace change, lest you be buried by it.