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White calls upon George W. Bush to appoint "independent" African-American politicians and scholars to high-level positions in his Administration. It's clear, however, that White's definition of an independent black person is one who adheres slavishly to the party line as proclaimed by the self-appointed leaders of the black community. DAVID WARREN CAMPBELL Ardmore, Pa.
A Matter of Rejoicing
A closely contested election between two decent political parties that proposed contrasting but moderate solutions successfully managed to rouse public enthusiasm [ELECTION 2000, Dec. 11]. This should be a matter of rejoicing, not regret. In the old countries with young democracies in Europe, only extremist manifestos kindle public passion. The U.S. still shows us the way. SIV ANAND Zurich
U.S. citizens don't need to get their collective knickers in a knot over the election results. Nor is embarrassment required--or alarm or panic. Your system is working just fine. No army is marching on Washington, tanks are not rolling down city streets, citizens are not rioting, and the global community is witnessing a lesson in democracy in action. The way I read it, Americans should be proud of living in a nation that can work within the system. Imagine how many countries would be in the midst of a civil war right now! SUSAN DYKHUIS Montreal
A Catch-22 Election
For a European democrat, the never-ending story of the U.S. presidential race has been mesmerizing for more than one reason [ELECTION 2000, Dec. 11]. First, vintage democracy has it that the candidate who gets the most votes from the people is elected. Not so in the U.S., with its Electoral College. Second, we take it for granted that the leader of the country possesses enough analytical and judicious sense to make the right decisions on his own. The total dependence on a court of whispering advisers is a medieval anachronism. Not so for one of the candidates, by all accounts. Finally, it seems a puzzling logic to simultaneously grant a recount of some ballots and then impose a deadline making it impossible. It was simply a catch-22. HERMAN D. HOLLANDER Antwerp, Belgium
I can't believe what has gone on in Florida. Dubious ballots, machine error, uncounted votes. In Germany any of these irregularities would immediately have required a revote in the areas concerned. Without a guarantee that every vote was properly registered, neither candidate can legitimately claim the U.S. presidency. And although George W. Bush has prevailed in the election, he will be in a truly weak position, especially with the international community. RENATE REINARTZ Koeln, Germany
The Power of Selection
The local elections in South Africa have been accepted by the world as free and fair without a lawyer in sight [ELECTION 2000, Dec. 11]. And we think the foreign election observers sent to judge us will leave South Africa with an enlightened perspective on how an election should be run. In America, on the other hand, what should have been a simple process, considering the experience and resources of such a developed country, has dragged on and on. The result not only undermines the tenure of the winner but also calls into question the very essence of democracy by letting a select few determine the outcome of the vote. ANDREI NAIDOO Durban, South Africa
Escape from Peru