Short answer; to protect the minority from the tyranny of
the majority.
The climate change boondoggle is an example of the
population centers, using their majority, to fuck over the rural areas. Coal is
an example. Only the Electoral College prevents this happening in politics.
Please indulge me as I try to draw parallels.
Northwest Colorado, along the Yampa River, has coal deposits
in the thousands of feet deep. Much is near the surface allowing for easy,
relative inexpensive, strip mining. This has led to the construction of two
large electrical generating plants. The resulting jobs have allowed three
generations to form families and raise children in relative comfort. Many are
my relatives including, for a time, my late father.
The efficiency of the power plants is high and their
contribution to pollution extremely low.
For decades Colorado has required strip mines to reclaim the
mines after they are closed. People passing through the area will be hard
pressed to identify areas that have been mined.
Now under the pressure of the eco freaks the mines and power
plants will be closing. The economic impact will create a huge depression for
the area.
The Congressman representing that area summed it up well,
IMO.
This isn’t just a Colorado problem but is occurring all over
the country. Wyoming around Gillette and West Virginia come to mind.
And the tyranny of the majority? In Colorado the four most populous counties
are home to the governor, and every other state office except one, at that one
is arguable. He didn’t receive a majority in his home county.
The ripples spread. The Union Pacific railroad, a major coal
hauler, forecasts cutting 1,000 jobs and closing various operation centers. The
BNSF is facing the same obstacles.
People may say, “so what?” Well snowflake, since much of what you consume
arrives by rail, and transportation costs are passed along, your living costs
will go up. And your light bill? Prepare for sticker shock.
In theory, since each state has two United States Senators,
rural areas have protection. Doesn’t seem to work out that well as most are
oriented to their political party and that agenda. Said agenda isn’t favorable
to the rural areas, IMO.
So Shillary won the “popular” vote but was soundly defeated because
the majority of states elected their Electors in support of President Trump.
That isn’t the first time, or only time, that has happened in Presidential
elections. Maybe that is why our country survives. As always, YMMV.