LETTERS: STRONG TWO-PARTY SYSTEM FUELS PARTY SWITCHING

To the editor:

Ben Franklin labeled America a republic with the enjoinder that its survival depended on a committed and informed electorate, a democratic republic to be sure. For more than the last century America has been governed by one or the other or two political parties in spite of zealous third-party efforts. With just those choices, it becomes a struggle for politicians to stay loyal to a party.

A short while back we saw a rash of defections from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Now there is an about face with the change from the Republican Party to independent status in full cooperation with the Democrats on the part of Sen. James Jeffords. Attention has been especially focused because of the remarkable, unprecedented effect of political reversal caused by the move of only one individual. Attention has been turned to what thoughts other Republicans may be having.

Teddy Roosevelt quit his party and lost his cause. Nelson Rockefeller stayed in the party and lost his cause. Wayne Morse left the party and prevailed in office. Jacob Javits finally quit the party and lost his seat in the U.S. Senate. Colin Powell, who describes himself as a Rockefeller Republican, remains secure in his bipartisan acceptance and refuses to risk his invulnerability by running for office. Only the future will disclose what John McCain will do.

Have recent events dispelled the doldrums? Is there a re-awakening of the democratic spirit so vital to our honing the republican process to effectively address the future? If so, Ben Frankin and his cohorts could be proud.

GILBERT DEGENHARDT

Cape Girardeau