GREENFIELD, MASS.-I am not voting for the two major-party candidates who are running for president this time around because it's a big mess. In addition, there are many reasons I think it's time for third parties, including an Independent Party, to get a chance to hear their voices. It's been too long.
I think it's time for someone younger to run for president as an independent candidate who has a military, law enforcement, and business background and who is experienced with politics and cares about our country.
Also, I think it's time to replace an aging Congress with younger politicians who serve fewer terms. One of the reasons I have been an unenrolled voter ever since I registered at age 18 is because I am not satisfied with the two-party system.
I have been reading and following former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's politics, including his books and radio talk show, for years. He is right about the two-party system - it's been falling apart for many years.
We need more room for a democracy where people run as third-party candidates or as candidates without affiliation with political parties. Just let people debate and let the best person win.
Our founding fathers would envision us moving forward this way - for a better future and life.
Joe R. Parzych
Greenfield, Mass.
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news sections, represents the opinion of the writer. In the newspaper and on this website, we strive to ensure that opinions are based on fair expression of established fact. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, The Commons is reviewing and developing more precise policies about editing of opinions and our role and our responsibility and standards in fact-checking our own work and the contributions to the newspaper. In the meantime, we heartily encourage civil and productive responses at [email protected].