I’m actually helping someone write a paper along these lines, so I’m genuinely interested in the perspective of people who would disagree with a direct count or ranked choice or whatever. I am interested in what a real human being defending the current system would say.
While that’s true for the legislative branch, the executive is different, or at least it’s supposed to be. The point is to get the president to represent all Americans, not just those in cities. I’m not agreeing with the idea, I’m just trying to answer so OP can get some insight into the argument.
Personally I think the EC was a bad idea but so was the 17th amendment. Of course, without the 17th amendment there would never be a dem majority in the Senate so you win some you lose some I guess.