The needs of these states are less important. They have fewer people, less productive capacity, less economic output, etc. They are lesser by every metric imaginable. In our nation's bread basket folks love to hold up agricultural achievement. Ironically California dominates that too [1].
Getting rid of the electoral college system in favor of popular vote isn't enough. A couple states drive the productive, agricultural, intellectual and economic engines of our country. In a meritocracy, these states would dictate federal policy. Instead they're subject to the capricious whims of deadbeats. Another way to put it: who really needs who?
Some players are MJ or Kobe or Lebron, some sit on the bench.
That's life.
Many states in middle America receive net federal subsidies while exercising outsized per capita political influence in presidential elections and Congress. You tell me how that's fair or right.
Your comment implies that the needs of these states is somehow less important in the governance of our nation.