I wish to address Father Layne’s editorial of March 4 in which he depicted independent voters as uninformed and easily swayed by promotional ads. As an independent voter for the past 20 years, I seek out which candidate best represents my ideals and which candidate I feel is best for our country regardless of his/her party affiliation. In order to do this, I research the candidates’ views and voting records. In contrast to Father Layne, I feel it is the “straight ticket” party voter who makes the more uninformed decision if he/she votes for a candidate simply because of a party affiliation.
I know many close-minded “conservatives,” but “liberals” can be just as close-minded. Whenever we think we (or our political party) have all the answers and that the other party has nothing to offer, that is close-minded. And isn’t that what has caused the current deadlock in our political system?
In contrast to Father Layne, I feel it is our current two-party system that has created the “cult of the personality” and “political pitch man” by offering us only candidates that support the narrow vision and philosophy of their party.
Kyle Hopkins
McPherson, KS
