Sunday Speaker: Anne Schneider, What are the implications of the election results?

Professor Schneider will draw on the Humanist principle of critical thinking as she examines alternative ideas for how to resolve issues that may have emerged around the election itself.

 

 

What are the implications of the election results?

After November 3, progressives will have to avoid breaking into three factions (radicals, liberals, and moderates), and will have to agree on “What Do We Do Now” about a wide range of issues. Progressives will need to craft winning strategies and build broad coalitions if they expect to make progress about electoral college reform, overturning the citizen’s united ruling (including possible use of Article V for a constitutional convention), and if they have won the Senate, the composition of the Supreme Court assuming Barrett has been confirmed.

Professor Schneider will discuss the results of the election in terms of its implications for these and other contemporary issues, along with its implications for U.S. democracy. These issues have long histories and they will continue to haunt or even threaten democracy in the United States until they are resolved. Professor Schneider will draw on the Humanist principle of critical thinking as she examines alternative ideas for how to resolve these and other issues that may have emerged around the election itself.

In terms of the electoral college, she will examine the ideas of a “national popular vote compact,” as well as state-by-state advocacy to eliminate the “winner take all” provisions. Would either of these policies help bring more democracy to the Presidential election?

The Citizens United ruling has let elections become far too dependent on money, and short of overturning the ruling by the Supreme Court, what might be done? It is unlikely the progressives would have large enough margins to amend the constitution, but there is an alternative way to amend called an “Article V” amendment. Five states have passed resolutions, so far, to use this method: California, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Is this a good idea?

The composition of the supreme court will almost certainly be a huge issue if Democrats control all three branches of the federal government, as proposals will be introduced to expand the composition to 11, 13, or 15 to overcome the Republicans last two appointments – one that was “stolen” from President Obama and one rushed through even after voting in the 2020 election had begun.

Anne Larason Schneider, PHD. is a retired political science professor and former dean of the college of public programs at Arizona State University. She attended school in Fargo, Oklahoma and then graduated from Oklahoma State University and earned her PhD in political science from Indiana University. She has a life-long interest in how public policy can bring about more fairness and more compassion in society.

Please join us on Zoom or YouTube:

1) Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/535462070?pwd=UGJBOXRYcTF2SXJMb01RNTdvM2Y2QT09

2) YOUTUBE: You can watch live (15 second delay), or you can watch later. Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOw8Sl1yofrwRuGUYS_OOOA

Need help? Email ron.russell@hsgp.org before the day of this meeting.

The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix presents its Sunday Speaker meetings twice a month on Sunday mornings. For now our meetings are on Zoom and YouTube. We look forward to seeing you at the Humanist Community Center when it's safe to meet in person!

Meetings are free and open to the public.

Go to our YouTube channel to see past meetings, presentations and and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOw8Sl1yofrwRuGUYS_OOOA

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Thank you!

 

When
November 8th, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location
ONLINE
Mesa, AZ 85211
United States
Human