Don’t adopt National Popular Vote Interstate compact

In his guest column Dec. 11 'Myths and facts about the Electoral College,” Richard Hileman made some valid points regarding the history of the system, but I take exception with two of his conclusions. The benefit that small states receive is not from whether or not candidates campaign there, but rather, as a block, they can act to counter the political power of the large states, especially the behemoth on the west coast - California.

Through its primary election process, California has all but eliminated political opposition to the state's majority party. One only has to look at the Nov. 8 ballot for the state's U.S. Senate race. There were just two candidates, both Democrats. Other parties, Libertarian, Green, as well as Republicans, were not represented. Having just moved from California to Cedar Rapids, I had been one of those disenfranchised voters.

Hileman also indicated that Iowa should adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate compact. It appears all of the states that have adopted the law are Blue and the effort is a subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) way for the Democrats to gain total control nationally as they have in California. Although I did not support Donald Trump in the recent election, for the 49 states outside of California he leads by a net of 900,000 votes over Clinton. Iowans should consider very carefully whether or not it is in their best interest for our legislature to approve this measure.

David Sherwood

Cedar Rapids