The latest reports indicate that Hillary Clinton received about 2 million more popular votes than did Donald Trump.

It raises again the question of the fairness of the Electoral College system in selecting our presidents.

When written into the Constitution, it was assumed that voters frequently knew little or nothing about candidates due to the lack of information sources.

Electors would know better. The more electors based on census, the more clout a state would have in the selection process. Thus the notorious clause, “three fifths of all other Persons,” i.e., slaves, was written into the Constitution. It was no accident that before the Civil War, seven presidents came from Virginia with its large number of slaves.

The three-fifths clause is gone and huge numbers of information sources abound. Is the current system fair? I think not. It should be replaced by a straight majority vote across all state boundary lines. Either that or the percentage allocation of electors as used in Nebraska and Maine.

Robert S. Sandla

Hawaii Kai

Schools can offer fluoridated water

Since not all people in Hawaii want fluoride in their water, one solution to the problem of children having poor dental hygiene would be to provide a bottle with fluoride water at school (“Time to fluoridate isle water?” Star-Advertiser, Insight, Nov. 20).

The alternative of putting fluoride in the water we use to water our plants, wash cars with and take showers with seems like overkill.

Simply giving kids a bottle of fluoride water at school would be a much more cost-effective solution — plus you would not be forcing fluoride on the thousands of people who do not want it.

Tom Wallace

Hawaii Kai

Koko Kai beset by violent crime

We applaud Rob Perez for his articles on crime mapping (“HPD changes policy, adds violent offenses to crime maps,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 15).

Here’s why. Recently members of our community wrote registered letters to the mayor, Honolulu Police Commission and the police chief about a lack of appropriate response to our requests for urgent assistance in Koko Kai after home invasions, robberies and burglaries. Our community had a one-hour meeting at City Hall where we were offered palliative political lip service and nothing helpful. Our representatives left embittered.

During this meeting, yet another incident happened in our neighborhood. A man entered the yard of a home with an 8-inch knife in one hand, a putty knife in the other, and a third knife in his pocket. The offender completely undressed while screaming obscenities. He then hacked up the owner’s garden. Several neighbors called 911, but no one came to assist.

What does it take for Koko Kai taxpayers to get help when we need it? This is a call to action, City Hall. Do your job.

Reneau Kennedy

Hawaii Kai

Show homeless a little more aloha

It is disturbing, in this season of thankfulness, to see so many unkind letters about the homeless.

We can do better. Because the homeless are so vulnerable, they deserve round-the-clock police protection from being robbed and assaulted, rather than being harassed.

The city should bring services to them. How about workers showing up at an encampment with portable trash bins, toilets and showers — a positive approach instead of blaming them for problems over which they have little control?

I believe this kind of kindly outreach would go a long way toward accomplishing the “Housing First” policy we are trying to implement.

Think kindness and aloha. Walk a mile in their shoes.

Alvin Murphy

Manoa

State unfair to general aviation

I would like to echo Rob Moore’s thoughts (“State DOT actions forcing out general aviation,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 22). His comments were right on point.

I was an air charter company manager for eight years on the south ramp. The Airports Division management has been obstructionist at best. Some would describe it as negligent and insensitive to the small businesses and individuals who are its clients.

If the proposed rent increases go into effect, there will be businesses that close and people will lose their jobs. If the Airports Division is so desperate for revenue it should go after the tenants in the main terminal who owe millions in delinquent back rent instead of the general aviation tenants.

Kent W. Comstock

Kailua

Trump victory confuses world

Life has its moments. One day dozens of women are after Donald Trump for sexual harassment and the next day he’s elected to the presidency of the United States by a minority of the voters.

The whole world is befuddled and stunned. Political pundits and even kindergartners are trying to figure out the moral of this story.

Richard Y. Will

Waikiki