Posting this fairly late in the blog cycle: night, PST.  So perhaps it will avoid the worst criticism that it is bound to draw were it to venture forth in the light of day....

One of the many dismaying things about enduring eight years of rule by a profoundly unintelligent administration was having to see our international friendships erode and our close ties to Europe come under attack.."old Europe", etc.   We adopted a unilateralism and a "do it our way or face consequences" type approach that was a complete departure from the practice of all the administrations since Truman's.  We acted as if we didn't give a fig for the opinion of our old European allies, all the time cozying up to new friends in central asia.

Very shortsighted.

When President Clinton used to visit Europe, tens of thousands would turn out cheering him wildly.  During Bush's visits, tight security was always in effect and cheering crowds were completely absent from the silent streets down which his heavily guarded motorcades would travel.

When Barack Obama visited Europe, the crowds had returned.  Europe liked him and through him, us.

I look forward to a change in our attitude toward the EU and international law and toward internationalism in general.  We will, hopefully, become a member of the world community again during the next eight years.

And so the modest proposal.

What happens here in America affects our allies profoundly.  Why don't we recognize that fact and give those allies a say in our presidential races?

We have this antiquated electoral college everyone would like to see abolished.  We could retain it and give the EU and Japan and OAS, Russia, China, etc. small voting positions. Perhaps a vote each...

This would be to the utmost horror of the conservatives, but actually it makes sense in a global community.  It would give the rest of the world a small say in who becomes our president. would be an unparalleled precedent in world history, and I think point the way to the future of the world political arrangements.

What say you all?

In 1950 during the height of the McCarthy era, Republican senator Margaret Chase Smith with five other Republican Senators issued a Declaration of Conscience that denounced the tactics the McCarthy factions were employing in their efforts at attacking the Democratic administration of Harry Truman with the aim of preparing for an electoral victory in 1952.  At that time the Republicans were using the spectre of the COMINTERN and internal communist subversion as a way of garnering votes while crippling a Democratic administration.

From the Declaration:

"Surely these are sufficient reasons to make it clear to the American people that it is time for a change and that a Republican victory is necessary to the security of this country. Surely it is clear that this nation will continue to suffer as long as it is governed by the present ineffective Democratic administration.

Yet to displace it with a Republican regime embracing a philosophy that lacks political integrity or intellectual honesty would prove equally disastrous to this Nation. The Nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I don't want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the four horsemen of calumny--fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear.

I doubt if the Republican Party could--simply because I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest. Surely we Republicans aren't that desperate for victory.

I don't want to see the Republican Party win that way. While it might be a fleeting victory for the Republican Party, it would be a more lasting defeat for the American people. Surely it would ultimately be suicide for the Republican Party and the two-party system that has protected our American liberties from the dictatorship of a one-party system.

As members of the minority party, we do not have the primary authority to formulate the policy of our Government. But we do have the responsibility of rendering constructive criticism, of clarifying issues, of allaying fears by acting as responsible citizens. "

So, back in 1950, the Republican Party still had national office holders who were brave enough to criticize their party's tactics.  Where are the Sen. Smiths now?  Why haven't we heard from any moderates of that faction brave enough to criticize the thuggery of their party's presidential campaign?  Short answer: fear.