Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of October 4, 2010
Two-party system falls short
The article "Power sharing: better for Obama?" in the Sept. 20 issue primarily deals with the power struggle between the two major political parties in the United States.
However, the article does not consider the more significant issue that this two-party system is inadequate to meet the country's future needs. The present system leads to legislative paralysis.
It appears that candidates are expected to vote with their party and aren't free to vote as they choose. One should vote for the good of the country, rather than for the good of the party.
This gerrymandering system needs change. I would like to vote for the most desirable candidate, rather than the least undesirable.
At present, the party in power adjusts the districts so that its candidate can choose the voters, rather than the voters choosing the candidate.
Robert A. Brown
More educated women is key
The Sept. 27 editorial "Education gains for women" was welcome news. I was grateful to learn that the increased education level reached by women in the world has had a positive effect in other areas, like reduced child mortality and economic growth.
With such proof, how can we not continue to make education for all one of our highest priorities?
Carl Mattioli
Praise for South's racial gains
Thank you for "State of race: 7 lessons from the deep South about how to achieve a postracial America" in the Sept. 20 issue.
Finally, the South is recognized for the great progress we have made in race relations. Your observations are the most accurate description of race relations in the South presented in recent media.
There has been so much progress here. And so the first lesson from the South is that great progress can be made in a short time if people really want progress to occur.
Skepticism over peace talks
I wish I could share P. Edward Haley's optimism about the Middle East peace talks in the Sept. 20 opinion piece "Don't be cynical about the Middle East peace talks." But reality keeps intruding. Israel recently floated a plan to continue the partial building moratorium in the West Bank only if the US agrees to release the spy Jonathan Pollard.
It is morally outrageous to hold the future of 3 million Palestinians hostage to gain the release of someone who betrayed his country.
Progress in the Middle East peace talks is in the eye of the beholder. Some of us believe Israel holds all the cards and will accept a peace treaty only on its terms.
Joseph D. Policano
East Hampton, N.Y.
