Every week, the New York Times selects one provocative letter to the editor. Readers are invited to respond. Their comments — as well as a final rejoinder from the original writer — appear in the Sunday Review section, as “Sunday Dialogue.”
Robert Levine (Photo/Dave Matlow for WestportNow)
This week’s letter is from Westporter Robert A. Levine, a neurologist, author of Resurrecting Democracy: A Citizen’s Call for a Centrist Third Party, and subject of a November “06880” post on the subject of 3rd parties.
His Times letter says, in part:
Using the Internet and social networks to organize and raise money from small donors, this new centrist party could be independent of the special interests and able to work for the benefit of all Americans. Its hallmarks would be ethical conduct, transparency and pragmatism. Instead of being constrained by ideology, it would be guided by common sense and practicality in its search for solutions.
A centrist third party could prosper in today’s political environment and end the stalemate in Washington. There is a large body of moderate Republicans, disaffected Democrats and dissatisfied independents looking for the kind of political home that this party could provide. Unhappiness with the political options now available to Americans will sooner or later translate into a groundswell for alternatives.
To respond — and possibly be rebutted by Levine in this Sunday’s Times — email letters@nytimes.com.
Though I suspect a far more robust discussion will take place in the “06880” Comments section, right here in Robert Levine’s hometown.
