Please share some wisdon......?

Can anyone tell me why a country such as the United States; who dumps billions each year into educating their citizens, would have a need for the electoral college! Why do our politicians even have the "trophy" of the number of delegates, in comparison to the popular vote of the people. Why cant the people elect their own president. I feel it is time we as citizens woke up and realized what is going on with these presidential elections. Please help me understand the governments reasoning for this.