I admit, I am opinionated, and even arrogant when it comes to subjects I know well. For many years I defended the Electoral College - and for certain purposes I still do (although weakly anymore). In conception it is a bulwark against things going horribly wrong. But, as with many things in government, it has not worked as advertised, and is showing its decrepitude. Trump should never have happened, that is certainly true. The "fail safe" function of the EC was the last vestige of respectability it possessed, but it failed spectacularly to keep us safe.

There are structural and social impediments to fixing things that are wrong in government, and that includes specifically, the EC; more generally, the Constitution; and even more generally, government itself. More than two-thirds of the voting population is wedded to one or another major party. That loyalty, in its current form, prevents consideration of ideas from "the other side". Even things that are universally popular among the population cannot get traction in Congress or the White House. Obama, for his faults, remained committed to keeping that dialog open, but he never had a receptive audience, and eventually had to move on.

The antidote, I thought, was going to be a strong Supreme Court opinion striking down partisan gerrymandering. That might have begun steering this ponderous ship in the proper direction. But that institution is also too far gone, now. It has been infected with hyper-partisanship, just like the other branches. It may eventually recover, with proper timing and circumstances, but I don't see a significant alteration in my lifetime, which brings on depressive thoughts.

I would have thought that conservatives would be in favor of preserving these institutions, and as a former "conservative" would have myself, but I see just how naive I was, and perhaps am, still. Laws, norms, and constitutional expectations still motivate me, though; the grand experiment may yet recover from the partisan stupidity, but I have my doubts. I think, if the next election goes well, the next generation may have a chance to right the ship. I may be around to see that happen (or falter). When I think that way, I get optimistic again. There are big things to get done, and soon. Conservatives, and conservatism, stand in the way of that, so are now obsolete. I wish them/it well in their/its dotage.