PC, you need to take another look at the history and purpose of the electoral college. It is in place to ensure that a candidate cannot win on popular vote alone. The reason for this is so that states which have little to no population (NH, WY, WV, RI, etc) still have a voice in the presidential election. Without it a candidate could run in urban areas, completely ignore the rural population, and get elected.

I'm thankful we DO NOT have a direct democracy. In a direct democracy, one could pander to the populations of Chicago, LA, NYC, and 2 or three other urban areas, and completely run roughshod over the rest of the country with no consequences.

That having been said, the Electoral College cover ONE part of the national political process. ONE. Representatives in the house are directly elected, as are Senators. As are your state governing bodies. Your state and municipal elections should (and do) have far more effect in your life than a federal election. Frankly, I don't want the federal government involved in my day to day existence, and constitutionally it was never meant to have that type of power.