System must avoid helpless hopelessness

There should be recurring opportunities, more often than elections, to register our opinions on urgent matters of war and peace. Cease-fires for humanitarian relief, longer-term solutions like establishing a United States Peace Academy, and other life-and-death matters like positive solutions for mass murder and abortion need a forum in the form of a poll/vote on the internet with the safeguards of cyber security. Our elected representatives would have a more widespread registered opinion among their constituents and the entire country on which to base legislation.

We should never be forced into helpless hopelessness in this democracy and required to do nothing but privately choose sides and watch as we devolve into a destructive dichotomous destiny. Communication and most technology are accelerating and are moving faster than ever before. They should not be used against the majority when there is a majority.

We seem to divide 50/50 on many matters. But, our singular noble allegiance is more than to our beautiful star-spangled banner. It is also to our one nation under God that is indivisible. We are a welcoming nation with mutually enriching common ground. We have room for many more who want to be voting citizens. We even have room for another star or even more on our flag.

George E. Bedingfield

Arlington Heights