President Obama called the Electoral College a "vestige" or "carryover" from the founding

In his year end press conference, President Obama called the Electoral College a "vestige" or "carryover" from the founding. Yes, sir, it certainly is. As are our unalienable rights, the fact that government derives its power from the governed, and the right to establish a new government if necessary. If you understand our history, then you understand the reason for our basic principles and protective rules. Without the Electoral College modern day Americans would be subject to the potential tyranny of the residents of California where the popular vote was won. That may sound for fetched but it isn't. Concentrated power opens the possibility of endless monkey business. The system of checks and balances of the government also includes checks and balances on the populace. The founders felt it necessary to list the reasons why they fashioned our government as they did. When you read their list of complaints it becomes clear that they amount to resisting an over reaching and punitive ruler. They understood that if it could happen once, it could happen again. So, yes, Mr. President, the Electoral College is a "vestige" if you will. One that was developed on sound concerns and innovative problem solving. And, one that I suspect the American public will fight to protect.