TEA PARTY POWER
I suggest Jeff Inglis check the prism through which he views the world. Seems he missed the Tea Party when evaluating the "largest and most popular reform movement" (see "Mayors, Media, Masses," October 21). I should remind you the Tea Party elected more than 20 members of Congress, one of whom is running for president (Michele Bachmann).
The 99 percent have at least 99 issues, which makes them hard to embrace, as a candidate may not like one (or more) of those issues. Plus a whiff of anarchy in the crowd may scare off some candidates.
Tom Elliman
Portland
VOTING IS MEANINGLESS
Richard Dodge and Jeff Inglis advised Occupy Mainers to be sure to register to vote (see "Mayors, Media, Masses," by Jeff Inglis, October 21). Guess they haven't gotten the message (and yes, we do have messages). Elected officials to a great extent dance to the tune of their fat-cat contributors. I realize that this may be less true in local politics. But in so many cases voting has become meaningless. Obama, whom I believed in so strongly, is a case in point. The good news is we have finally awakened to that fact. We are mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
Dianne Sinclair
Porter
Related:
Reader reactions to the Portland Phoenix endorsements, Ranked-choice voting + beer, Theology class, More
- Reader reactions to the Portland Phoenix endorsements
I don't mind you endorsing the Oxford casino but I would have expected a more informed decision.
- Ranked-choice voting + beer
Perhaps the following example illustrates what's wrong with plurality voting in terms Al Diamon can understand (see " Got What It Takes ," June 10).
- Theology class
My religion teaches me that I have a responsibility to work to create a better world for humanity and for all living beings in the world that God created.
- The plan to turn Rhode Island red
The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved.
- End of the innocence
As the legislative session ends, the amount and nature of Governor Paul LePage's political influence has become clearer.
- All that you paid for
I've got some deals for you.
- A defiant mayor in a defaulting city
It's been a year since the state appointed a receiver to take control of a nearly insolvent Central Falls and Mayor Charles Moreau, reduced to a mere figurehead, rides shotgun in a blue Chevy Impala — surveying all that he's lost.
- Courting the youth vote
Politicians are recruiting younger and younger supporters.
- Registration day blues
When it comes to politicians debating important issues, I prefer them to get down and dirty.
- David Cicilline for Congress
All elections are important, of course. But Rhode Island voters have a rare opportunity this fall to remake the state’s political hierarchy in sweeping fashion.
- Does Portland want an elected mayor?
The campaign to bring an elected mayor to Portland, a proposal championed by the city's charter commission as well as several arts and business groups, officially launched at a City Hall press conference on Tuesday.
- Less

Topics:
Letters
, elections, Voting, letters, More
, elections, Voting, letters, Power, Letter to the Editor, Less