Electoral College, rogue members or not, isn’t democratic

So Washington’s “rogue electors” want the state to forgive their $1,000 fines. They supposedly “voted their conscience” and cast their votes for Colin Powell and Princess somebody, neither of whom were on the ballot. Really? In my book, their act was tantamount to stealing ballots. Think about it. A $1,000 fine? How about $100,000 or some jail time?

What is the difference? The difference is that they acted within the “law” that sanctions the electors to represent the rest of us in the proletariat too stupid to be trusted to vote in our own interest. Of course, their stunt had no material impact, since the electoral vote was lopsided in favor of the man who won almost 3 million fewer votes that the loser. I ask you to consider, however, what would have happened if the election had come up neck and neck and those four votes would have declared the winner? That would have been chaotic for sure.

Because their man won, I suppose, Republicans seem to be silent on this issue. But they should not. Trump voters in Washington, California and Oregon, etc., hear this: Your vote for Trump was tossed aside! Because of the electoral college system, once enough voters in your state voted for Hillary Clinton, your vote was effectively discarded — period. It didn’t count — not at all. You should be irate. I am — somebody stole my ballot.

This kind of thing argues strongly for eliminating the antiquated presidential Electoral College and move to a popular vote — like every other office in the country: senator, governor, mayor, etc. All votes should be counted, and the winner should be the winner. Let me think — that’s called democracy.

If the little theatrical stunt by our “rogue electors” helps hasten the end of this archaic vestige of patriarchy, perhaps we should thank them. But don’t count me into that cheering section. I still think these clowns should pay their fine and thank their lucky stars they don’t live in Putin’s Russia (for now).

Alexander Smith

Edmonds