Electoral reform is desperately needed
Our failing two-party system imperils our democracy, nationally and locally, a reader writes. Credit: AP/Susan Walsh
Electoral reform is desperately needed
Our two-party system is indeed failing us ["A call for nonpartisanship," Editorial, Sept. 18]. Democracy is imperiled nationally and locally. Many voters have essentially given up, realizing choices are limited and the ability to be truly represented is minimal. We are increasingly faced with angry stridency and threats of politically motivated violence.
Serious electoral reform is needed to correct the flaws in our poorly functioning, corporate-controlled two-party system. The influence of big money must be curtailed through real campaign finance reform. We should base our system on one person, one vote, not one dollar, one vote. Third parties should be encouraged rather than suppressed, as former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration did by making the bar almost insurmountable for these parties. Third parties have historically provided novel ideas and policies that have advanced progressive changes -- we need more good ideas, not fewer.
Another key reform would be establishing a system of multi-winner, ranked-choice voting. If more legislative bodies comprised multi-member districts, and if the winners were chosen this way, voting groups -- ethnic, party, gender, income, etc.-- would be fairly represented. Such a democratic system automatically eliminates the need for partisan redistricting or redistricting through commissions, which have repeatedly proven to be unfair and undemocratic.
Jim Brown, Island Park
The writer is secretary of the Green Party of Nassau County.
Starr obituary needed more about the man
It's sad that more than three-quarters of Ken Starr's obituary was dedicated to addressing Bill and Hillary Clinton’s legal issues ["Ken Starr, 76, led '90s Clinton investigation," Obituaries, Sept. 14]. You would think that someone who lived 76 years and had such impressive credentials would have had an obituary that addressed his life rather than so much about the Clintons.
Barbara Gilman, Old Bethpage
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