facebook-pixel

Letter: Alternative factfulness and the Electoral College

(David J. Phillip | The Associated Press) Rex Teter, a member of the Electoral College, poses at his home in Pasadena, Texas, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. The sharp divisions left by last month’s presidential election have cast more attention than usual on the Electoral College. Teter, 59, a music teacher and preacher, received about 35,000 emails and 200 letters urging him not to support Trump. It took him several hours to delete them the day after Thanksgiving. A Marco Rubio supporter in the primaries, he is solidly for Trump. "Some have been very personal letters. Some threatening. One was very funny. They view President-elect Trump as a threat so it’s personal for them and I can empathize. But I'm not changing my vote as an elector."

Alternative factfulness is alive and well in Utah. A previous letter by Errol Remington (“Stop the polarization,” Dec. 7) referenced a letter by David Haughey (“Essential electors,” Nov. 22) and complimented his “excellent explanation of the Electoral College’s value.”

Remington and Haughey should re-read Alexander Hamilton’s intent in recommending the Electoral College. It was not designed to give small states a more equal standing with large states. That, in part, is the purpose of the U.S. Senate.

Please read The Federalist Papers No. 68, in particular, paragraphs 3 and 8:

"Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union.”

Before the primaries and the election, Donald Trump was viewed by most as full of "talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity,” or worse. The Electoral College failed in its purpose.

Facts are facts. Truth is truth. Don’t be guilty of pandering alternative facts. We are a polarized country. Alternative factfulness doesn’t help. We would all better serve our fellow readers to read, review, and be precise and accurate with our history, shared information and facts.

Jon R. Sundin, Millcreek

Submit a letter to the editor