Letters: US never has been a democracy

In his Dec. 14 letter, “Change electoral vote allocation,” Stan Frick suggested that we “show the world that we are a democracy by eliminating the Electoral College and using the popular vote to elect our president.”

The writer does not seem to realize that we are a republic. A republic is a representative government ruled by law; a democracy is direct government ruled by the majority. A republic recognizes the inalienable rights of individuals, while democracies are concerned with group wants or needs.

Are there arguments to make changes to the electoral process? Sure there are. In fact, I would propose that each U.S. House member vote for the candidate with the majority of votes in that district and each U.S. senator vote for the state winner. I would want all 50 states to agree.

Of course, that would mean the 84 votes that Democrats get from California and New York would be split closer to 60-40, so be careful what you wish for.