LETTER to the editor: Electoral College is un-American

To the editor:

I read Pete Radosevich’s “Harry’s Gang” column last week in support of the Electoral College. His reasoning, as I understand, had to do with the impact of several large states overwhelming numerous smaller states.

Being in my 70s now, I realize that my school years were a long time ago. However, I think I recall learning why the early political leaders and Congress formed the Electoral College. The average American male in the very early 1800s was uneducated and the politicians, being mostly of an aristocratic background, felt the average man was not smart enough to participate in the selection of such an important position as President. So what the Electoral College really does is prevent the current population from deciding who is president and keeps that decision in the hands of a small number of the political elite. Probably could be said about today, too. I think that’s an idea quite contrary to the American Way.

Who knows? Maybe there’s an expert out there who can tell us.

John Boland, Cloquet