Books with author James A. Michener

The Electoral System is in a crisis. This is not the first time a crisis has arisen.In 1888, Grover Cleveland became the third of only five candidates to win the popular vote but lose their respective presidential elections (Andrew Jackson in 1824, Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, Al Gore in 2000, and Hillary Clinton in 2016 were the others).This book is essential reading for any United States citizen who wants to understand our present system of choosing a president and vice-president, the dangers inherent in it and what urgently needs to be done to improve it.Clearly and precisely it explains what could have happened in the 1968 election and nearly did. It reviews historically the development of the electoral system, which grew partly by law and partly by custom and shows how it has gone perilously astray a number of times in the past. Mr. Michener gives a close analysis of the weaknesses and strength of our system, and points out why it is inadequate and irrational for our time, and could prove to be under certain circumstances catastrophic.Four major and competing proposals for constitutional amendments to reform have been placed before the congress and are sure to be the the subject of much public and private debate. These are set forth and compared in detail and evaluated in light of their virtues and drawbacks. The author advances cogent arguments against the abandonment of some of the fundamental principles of our traditional system.We are now in a period of instability. The current president said that he would honor the results of the election, if he won. This creates the fear that that he could lose the election and refuse to step aside.