In early January, our country was still trying to decide who should be our rightful president. Al Gore had won the popular vote, and George W. Bush had won the electoral college. I, like so many other Americans, had decided our system was seriously flawed.

I understood the electoral college system. I had always viewed it as archaic, but, as long as it kept pace with the will of the people, I was willing to look the other way. The presidential election of 2000 showed me if the popular vote was respected at all, it was merely coincidental.

Now, in 2016, like many Americans, I am paying much more attention to the primary process than ever before, and like many have learned the problem is not only the electoral college. The problem begins with the vagueness and corruption of the primaries.

In the past few weeks, we have seen Ted Cruz win Colorado without the popular vote through recruitment of delegates. We have seen Hillary Clinton lose Wyoming by a wide margin, but with the support of superdelegates, increase her lead on Bernie Sanders. These two contests and others have led the average American to ponder: Why do we vote at all? Our voice means nothing; why bother?

I am not meaning to imply that the winners of any of the states’ contests are cheating. They are simply taking advantage of the rules laid out, and therefore deserve their victories. What I am saying is the rules are purposefully set up so the will of the people means nothing. The rules are made by, and for, the people in power. These people, and the parties they represent, care nothing for our opinions.

Our great country has changed much in 240 years. It is no longer just the white, rich land owners who get to vote. We have extended that right to women, minorities, young people and the working class, but that right means nothing if our vote does not count. We can vote, but it is still the affluent, with their lobbyists and back room deals, that shape elections and run our government.

Just over a hundred years ago, we radically changed our Constitution to provide for the popular elections of senators. I believe this election has shown it is time to take the next step in transforming America into a democracy. It is time for each vote to have meaning. It is time that the people elect our president through a popular vote.

Jeff Casper
Gainesville

Send a letter to the editor or email letters@gainesvilletimes.com