Checks Quote by Lawrence Lessig
“The Electoral College is a project that calls on their judgment. If we don't like it, we can talk about how to eliminate it. I'm not quite convinced we should eliminate it completely. I think it's important to have a final check be somebody other than the Supreme Court. But given that it's there, we should take it seriously. And taking it seriously says they should exercise their judgment according to the moral values, the principles that are part of our constitutional tradition today. And those principles say equality.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Electoral College reform, 2020
The Electoral College should be respected as a constitutional check, but its role and judgment must align with modern principles of equality and moral values.
In simple terms: Respect the system but ensure it reflects equality.
Key Takeaway
Balance respect for tradition with calls for reform.
Themes
democracy
constitution
equality
judgment
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- election policy debates
- constitutional amendment discussions
- civic education
- public forums
Key Concepts
checks and balances
constitutional tradition
political reform
Questions to Reflect On
- How can the Electoral College evolve without losing its purpose?
- What safeguards ensure its judgments reflect today’s values?
A Different Perspective
It may be hard to reconcile historical design with contemporary equality standards.
![“When the fountains of government [borrowing] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the state was forced to check the extension of bureaucracy and to put a stop to public works, then and then only did the Italians realize what it…” quote by John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/908/john-t-flynn-18493_abundance_when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowi_2663.jpg)
