Your report on electronic populism hits the bull's-eye: contemporary communications systems too easily accommodate everybody's reactions to everything [Jan. 23]. Senators cite percen tages gleaned from phone and fax communications from the citizenry to prop up their points. The media don't help with their frequent telephone polls. It is high time we give our representatives some breathing space to legislate without constant reference to the whimsy of the popular opinions of the moment. Even if 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still considered a foolish thing.
David M. Powers Briarcliff Manor, New York
We great unwashed have become cynical and disillusioned about representative democracy. Politicos promise us anything, only to toe the party line and defer to the bureaucracy once elected. Until we personally feel we have some real input into the political system, we will remain as cynical as we are.
Lance C. Gunnlaugson Kelowna, Canada How ironic it would be if, after defending the U.S. from outside threats during the past two centuries, we Americans, through our access to easy intercommunication, have acquired the means to damage our country.
Skip Snyder Beacon, New York As an american living abroad, I can't agree with what Robert Wright wrote about the ``electronic dangers'' to American democracy. Using electronic communications is not against the intentions of the Founding Fathers, nor does their use create a substitute direct democracy. Discussion is the strength of democracy, and an increased amount of it cannot take the power of legislation out of the hands of the people's representatives.
Peter Zvagulis Munich
Don't call it hyperdemocracy. today's political scene is mobocracy, with the know-nothings of talk radio in charge. The Fairness Doctrine may give Americans some respite from the cheap, the vulgar, the mean and the ugly, and is our only hope.
Mildred P. Katz Manhattan, Kansas A problem in our pseudodemocracies is lack of access to those making decisions on our behalf. Having representatives make laws for citizens has merit. But in such a system, we lose the input of others who may be more qualified than the legislators to judge, or we may fail to hear from those who will be affected. A pure form of democracy does exist in a country of economic and political stability: Switzerland. Why haven't more countries imitated this model? The answer lies in the type of person attracted to politics in the democratic system, which bestows power, prestige and privilege. Politicians are not about to voluntarily give up their status. We have to change the system; we have to change the people representing us. The revolution is incomplete.
Terry Vulcano San Ignacio, Belize Some politicians are in touch with the people, and some are not. However, a hyperdemocracy is more of a good thing than a bad thing. The architects of the U.S. government wanted it to be of the people, by the people and for the people. Politicians like Newt Gingrich are trying to expand the involvement of the people in the process. If you close the government off, you will get social discord, and members of Congress will have a one-way ticket back to their home districts.