Partisan 2

"Partisan Paralysis"

                                  July 26, 1997

Most Americans have leanings to either of the two
major political parties based on the direction each
want to take our country. And historically, the two-
party system has served all Americans quite well.

But there is a growing number of us who are frustrated
with both parties, observing partisan interests more
often take priority over the "business of the people".

I have had misgivings over the political process for
several years, noticing a party's agenda getting more attention than the interests of the citizens who send elected officials to state and federal legislative
bodies. And I've become increasingly frustrated, not
only in the party I support, but in the manner our
elected officials conduct the work of government.

Political parties are clearly out of control. And the
media which 'reports' the news have yet to examine and
inform the public of how legislators operate.

We can debate the merits of 'reforming' campaigns and
there funding, but this only takes our attention off
the real issue; improving the performance of the
Executive and Legislative branches. This is what
Americans want, not which party is in the majority,
or benefits from legislation.

When we demand better representation and less partisan gamesmenship the public will be better served.

                                 Anthony J. Bruno