The Day We’ve Been Waiting For (Or… Dreading?)

Happy Election Day!

With all the chaos of the next couple of days, it is important that we remember how our system of government works.

Recently, I was reminded that many in the university system and the mainstream media don’t seem to know.

That must come as a shock to you all, I know…

I don’t think anyone is surprised to hear me say our colleges are becoming less about giving young adults an education and more about promoting a progressive agenda.

For example, I recently came across an ad for the New York Times Student Spotlight. I know I should know better than to open the New York Times by now, but I’m always interested to hear from bright young minds.

Every week the New York Times publishes a student Op-Ed to spotlight collegiate thinkers. Which is great, but with the paper’s bias, most of the time these articles just reiterate the opinions already published in the Times.

In a recent piece regarding the upcoming election, two students partnered together to ask the question “Is the Electoral College a Problem?” A fine question, and one that is worth discussing. Their argument, however, was concerning.

The students cited an “expert” on the subject, Jesse Wegman, a member of the New York Times Editorial board. I say “expert” in quotations, because I question anyone’s expertise that doesn’t know what form of government America has. Alas, Wegman says:

American democracy isn’t just quirky — it’s also unfair. Five times in our history, presidential candidates who have won more votes than their opponent have still lost the election. Why? Our 230-year-old jerry-built system for picking the president, known as the Electoral College.

The biggest problem with that statement? America never has been a democracy. Yes, sometimes the majority of citizens vote against the winning presidential candidate, because America is not ruled by a simple majority.

Tyranny by the majority is still tyranny. Those complaining that the electoral college system is undemocratic may need to look back at why it was first established: to prevent larger states from dominating the electoral process—to prevent tyranny by the majority. 

The danger of collectivism is real, and the instability of democracies have littered the history books. The founders knew this, which is why they warned of the dangers of democracy repeatedly.

The intention of the American Experiment was never to allow for a rule by majority, but instead to have a limited government with a federalist system that provided a check on power. For a long time, students have been misled to the point that they are arguing for mob rule!

Our government has the responsibility to protect life, liberty, and property—not to bend to the will of the collective.

This is one of the reasons I wrote the Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom. Modeled after The Road to Serfdom by famed economist Frederick Hayek, our version introduces important questions to kids like “Should the collective control us?”

Sadly, some “experts” have failed to ask themselves this question—and it shows.

As millions of people cast their vote for which leaders will now rule over us, it is important, at a minimum, that we know how our system functions and what it is.

It’s a republic—if we can keep it.

— Connor

Want More?

The Tuttle Twins children’s book series is read by hundreds of thousands of families across the country, and nearly a million books (in a dozen languages!) are teaching children like yours about the ideas of a free society.

Textbooks don’t teach this; schools don’t mention it.

It’s up to you—and our books can help. Check out the Tuttle Twins books to see if they’re a fit for your family!