Strong opinions were expressed in recent letters in support of the Electoral College. Some of these opinions were stated as facts. Clearly, these four citizens who took the time to write are entitled to express their opinions. Next time, though, maybe they could look into the facts.

Not one of the writers mentioned the real reason for the Electoral College: a compromise between the more populous north and the rural south, populated by a few landowners and their multitudes of slaves. By counting slaves, even at a discounted rate, the southern states were able to outvote the north and elect 32 years of slave-owning presidents from the small state of Virginia.

It was not fear of “ill-informed citizens, immigrants and foreign influences.” Nor was it to look out for people who would live in the “heartland states” and areas like Kitsap County and Bainbridge Island as opposed to the big cities.

Frustration with the Electoral College is widespread and has been going on for many years. Polls show that between 62 and 70 percent favor direct election of our president, same as governors of every state. Is it the “vulgarization of society” to try to find a better means of choosing the head of a democracy?

The bitterness and anger exposed by the accusations in the Owen’s letter are very disturbing (“In defense of the Electoral College,” page A5, Dec. 2 North Kitsap Herald). Imagine anyone thinking the entire Democratic Party has “sunk into a black hole” at the same time claiming it was the GOP who elected Trump.

Julia Miller

Kingston