Electoral College looks to silence certain groups: #tellusatoday

Letter to the editor:

Let’s remember that our Founding Fathers and authors of the Constitution created a system where neither direct election of senators nor the president was included. In 1788, the founders wanted a safeguard against a process that was truly democratic. It was surmised that the voters could not be completely trusted to choose men in agreement with the educated, white, upper class who held the power.

In the original Constitution, senators were chosen by the state legislators. In 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified, which called for direct election of senators. This came as a result of the progressive movement that worked for the reformation of the government to better serve the people.

If this recent election had gone the other way, there is no doubt in my mind that Trump supporters would be calling for another amendment. They would see it as part of the forgotten man’s inability to alter the direction of our government. The fact that Hillary Clinton won the majority of votes but lost the election is little noted. Half of our nation voted for one candidate and the other half for the other. But one got the majority.

Times have changed. Women vote; African Americans vote; Native Americans vote. All who register can vote. Let’s vote directly for our president. Eliminate the Electoral College.

Susan Little; Chapel Hill, N.C.

Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

The Founding Fathers had it right. When there were just 13 colonies, a popular vote would have let just a couple states like Virginia and Massachusetts decide who the president would be. All the other states would be out of luck! The Electoral College tries to even the field by requiring contenders to consider more states to get elected. Otherwise California, Florida and New York would have a huge sway on the result. No, thanks.

The whiners need to put on their big-boy pants, move on and respect the vote. If not, you are free to move about the cabin on your way to a new home country. I don’t recommend Iran or North Korea, though, just saying.

— Dave Tomasso

We asked our followers their thoughts on the Electoral College and whether we should keep or eliminate. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

The Electoral College is a quirk of the U.S. government design. Well intentioned but imperfect. Replacing it will create new problems.

— @Nathan_Sloan

The Democratic Party needs new progressive leadership to reflect a changing electorate. The Electoral College loss is an excuse.

— @JeffOstach

Of course we should keep the Electoral College. Its purpose is to give people of every state a proportional representation during the elections.

— @valentinesday97

We need to dump the Electoral College vote. Voters in the West Coast don’t count at all! The popular vote is the only way to go.

— @crossfitnans

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