It is a lovely experience to travel back through time via publications like New England Town Meeting: ‘Safeguard of Democracy’ by John Gould. Similar to Mr. Gould, I enjoy engaging in our local democracy. These publications reenforce my pledge to advocate for the primary components of our excelling representative government. My experience has undoubtedly proven that a free market of ideas is required for a properly functioning democratic society. Additionally, we require insulation from selfish outside influences. This exists within our innovative civic structure, but I worry we are losing our grip on this protection due to its loss of public awareness. Essentially, “what has made our country the greatest country in the world” most definitely is our local democracy, but the central pillars must remain safeguarded by we, the people. Our constitutional republic encourages, even forces, us to exchange our ideas rather than delegate at the expense of self-governing. Our natural tendency to delegate excruciating decisions guided our diverse set of founders towards developing our system of checks and balances. The clever Electoral College is the vital load-bearing mechanism at the center of my worries. It limits influence of opportunists and authoritarians from distant locations. It greatly limits the potential of interference in our local democracy. As intended, it safeguards us primary stakeholders, so we collectively steer our own uncharted path. Without the Electoral College, our heralded local democracy becomes filthy by the infiltration of distant wealth and power. The Harpswell Historical Society’s timely contribution provides us with an opportunity to reinvest in our knowledge of our local democracy. Let us protect our freedom to define progress by advocating for this gifted and timeless armor. Together, let’s embrace the Electoral College to safeguard our democracy. https://harpswellanchor.org/2024/09/historical-society-reprints-safeguard-of-democracy/