Why an Electoral College? What were the purposes and benefits? The delegates gathered in the Constitutional Convention struggled through challenge after challenge as they debated the best ways to establish the greatest framework of freedom ever known to mankind, the Constitution of the United States of America. Arguably their greatest challenge was to devise a methodology to select outstanding statesmen to serve as the Chief Executive. In order to select the very best presidents possible, the Framers intelligently designed a unique system to nominate the very best candidates possible. This was the function of the original Electoral College System. The Electoral College today bears only a superficial resemblance to the intricate system the Framers designed for selecting presidents for the United States. Their original plan as outlined in Article II of the Constitution has been subverted, perverted, obscured, ignored and discarded by the machinations of party politics. Today the Electors meet only to rubber-stamp what everybody already knows-who won the election. The Framers' system is totally unknown today. This book reveals the secrets of that ingenious process-a system that has remained hidden (or rather ignored) for over two centuries. Intelligent design versus evolution usually refers to the creation of man. We relate these same terms to the creation of our U.S. Constitution. Intelligent design requires much thought and consideration; evolution has no such restrictions. In bringing to light the ingenious design of the original Electoral College, this book meticulously examines the words of the Constitution, quotes from the Constitutional Convention, and Alexander Hamilton's defense of the system as expressed in Federalist No. 68. After the Framers intelligently designed the Electoral College System, the forces of evolution started their destructive processes. The rise to power of the political parties and the incompatibility of the party paradigm with the original Constitution, are exposed. This book details the inconsistencies apparent in the quickly designed and hastily ratified 12th Amendment. Samples of current State statutes forbidding the independence of Electors and binding them to the political parties are also shown. Discover, in a concise text, essential principles required to restore American constitutional federalism: Direct vs. indirect elections Representative republic vs. democracy The role of independent electors Electoral votes are nominating votes Principle of constitutional federalism How the unique process was subverted by political parties How the 12th Amendment institutionalized party usurpation The empty shell we have today The new April 2013 edition includes extensive footnotes, index, and endorsements from constitutional professors, lawyers, scholars and patriots. Those who want to restore the principles of freedom and limited government, as established by the Framers, will find this book indispensable.