To The Editor:What a sad commentary when a citizen states that they “don’t give a rat’s behind about the popular vote.” Anyone who paid attention to their eighth-grade civics class understands the role of the Electoral College in selecting the president of the United States.Indeed, until 1824, the popular vote was not even tallied. As late as the election of 1864, the state of South Carolina had never held a popular vote for the presidency. However, for the first 200 years of our republic the Electoral College failed to reflect the popular vote (when it was counted) only twice.The frightening thing is that TWICE in the last 16 years, the winner of the popular vote has failed to gain victory in the Electoral College. Obviously there is a growing divide between the will of the people and the winner of the presidency.The system is broken. The author of the Electoral College was Alexander Hamilton. He intended that the College would be made up of patriotic, distinguished men who would select the best person for the position. Very soon Hamilton realize that it was not working as intended and he tried to rid our nation of the process. Unfortunately he was killed in a duel before he could affect a change.States are just real estate, not people. Often wide-open, empty spaces. North Dakota has two senators to represent a few hundred thousand people.California has two senators to represent tens of millions. We are now one nation, not a confederation of states, as once constituted.I do not argue that Donald Trump won the election as designed by the founders of our nation. I suggest only that the will of the people is no longer evident in 21st century presidential elections. Recent history is evident. That does not bode well for a free people.Bob Ritchie, Warrenton