Canada and most other nations can conduct an election in a few weeks. Ours take months with the result that our wars are continuous and overlapping, domestic tranquility is non-existant and a tiny minority controls all our resources. The two major parties are organized like corporations. They exclude alternative parties and ideas from the discussions and debates. Fundraising and TV advertising dominate the campaigns. There is no place for a new idea. The popular Occupy Wall Street movement was crushed by police dressed in military gear. When governments are unresponsive, revolution may be the only answer as indicated by wars across Africa and the Middle East.

A constitutional convention was held when the founding fathers recognized that changes were necessary after the 18th century American Revolution. Do we have to wait for a 21st century revolution to develop a plan to serve the needs of the people? We need to be able to select leaders who will respect the will of the people and who do not have to spend their time raising money from corporations for election campaigns.

Dick Smith

Bellingham