An editorial/Providence Journal, Scripps Howard News Service

Lately, there has been a push to get rid of the Electoral College -- the way we choose presidents -- and replace it with a pure popular vote.

This week's G-8 meeting of seven big industrialized democracies plus authoritarian Russia reminded many people of just how dated the organization is. After all, the growing commercial powerhouses of China and India are not members, and nor is Saudi Arabia, whose vast oil wealth makes it (unfortunately) a major player in the world economy.

Even though Pakistan boasts a fast-growing middle class and many second- and even first world accoutrements, there are huge parts of the country where local chiefs run things, generally along medieval lines.