Broken government

Dear Editor:Now that the two-year fight for power is over, members of the Senate and House can return to Washington to continue the ongoing feud between the Republicans and Democrats. This election consumed $6 billion of special interest money to influence the outcome and it would appear that the status quo prevailed - Republicans and Democrats controlling the House and Senate, respectively. Perhaps that money could have been donated to a worthy charity to help the destitute and hungry in our nation. The two-party system reminds me of belonging to a gang - the Montagues and Capulets in "Romeo and Juliet" or the Hatfields and McCoys. In the full House, which is rare, members even sit on the other side of the aisle from one another. Independent voting is very rare, as the members are fearful of "crossing party lines." Human beings are not that black and white in their opinions - both sides have good and bad points of view. My point is, why can't we simply have people running for office without being branded to some party? Simply vote on the issues and the majority wins. I asked a friend of mine, "Who are you going to vote for?" and he simply said "Republican." I asked why and he said, "Because I'm a Republican." Issues don't seem to matter; I thought that was sad. Finally, I hope we can get rid of the electoral college system, that way everybody's vote will count. Colin Clarke Downey

********** Published: November 8, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 30