Our system works

In response to columnist Rachel Toor in “Opening people to possibilities of democracy”( Jan. 20), certainly the franchise should be open to all citizens of our country, but we are not a democracy; we have a republic replete with checks and balances. The federal government is divided and the nation is divided into sovereign states. Even the power of the people is limited by expression through congressional representatives and those of the Electoral College. We are not ruled by mobs in the street, but by the great poll of the American people, the vote. All these limitations are designed to prevent one group from attaining so much power that they can destroy the freedom of others

We have whittled away at these protections over the years in various ways, to our detriment.

Removing the “wackadoodle” Electoral College would be another such step.

The Electoral College balances and absorbs the differences in population levels so that all interests are heard and important. Without it our country would never have come into existence as the small colonies would never have joined the union being out voted by the more populous states. It still serves a purpose today, balancing the central states with the coastal states. What politician would ever listen to the interests of or visit a farming state without it? State representation through the Senate also serves this purpose.

We have a wonderful system that has brought us freedom and prosperity. We must act responsibly to preserve it.

Janie Boyce

Spokane Valley