Guest, I agree with you completely. History repeats itself, even if we don't learn its lessons (Iraq and Vietnam).
There is a good article on the Electoral College on today's CNN web page. Some interesting points: 1) In 26 states and Washington D.C., laws require electors to follow the popular vote. Some states threaten penalties for "faithless electors" (those who don't follow the popular vote). No one has ever been prosecuted. The occurrence is unlikely because both parties take great care in selecting Electors. 2) Alexander Hamilton, writing in the Federalist Papers, explained the rationale for having the Electoral College, rather than tnan a plebiscite, determine the outcome of the Presidential election, as follows. "A small number of persons, selected by their fellow citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations." The investigations are no less complicated today. Another interesting aspect of our democracy, as envisioned by our Founding Fathers, was that only white, male landowners could vote. This was not even closely remedied until about 80 years ago, when women got the right to vote, and that was a hard fought battle. Since then, voter registration laws have had the effect of disenfranchising many (African American) citizens.