Sir; I don't know if I am allowed to comment on your comment; but your article has some meat in it. The party is over in America. The thing about politics in America is that each new term is a continuation of the last. No one dares to rock the boat. No one dares to say that dirty, dirty word: Constitutional Convention. Every party seeking power must show it will be business as usual; and for the American people as a whole, that is only more misery and failure. The Problem Mr. Shields, is that change, if it will occur, must first fit through the weir of church which can KO any kind of change in America. Then change must get through the weir of party. And then change must get through the weir of two legislative bodies, each one unrepresentative, and one all out of proportion to the people, democratically. Then change must fit through the weir of the president which is the least democratic of offices excepting the weir of the Supreme Court which makes no pretense of democracy at all except for counting their own votes. Whenever change makes it all the way through government it is unrecognizable as the change that was demanded by the people. If the Government seems to possess all the brains of a locomotive charging toward the edge of a cliff, it is because that is what it is. A wind up duck has as much intelligence. Can we afford a government of reflex? Can we afford a government whose roles are scripted in advance, leaving its participants free to raise money, but unable to govern? We should reject weird government that does not do what regular government should do. If representative government does not work to bring us justice, peace, and security then it has failed us. My prediction is that the election of a new weir will not admit a new truth to pass through. We have to find out how to govern ourselves if we will not be governed by parties, or by the rich, or by the religions for their benefit. Whether the people realize it or not; the party is over in America. The only reason I support Mr. Obama for President is that it will get the American people one step closer to seeing our government will never deliver change when it was designed and created to resist change. All those seeking the same old refrain should raise their party banners high. Thanks. Best wishes. Sweeney