Open Letter to Howard Dean

Dear Mr. Howard Dean:

A great man once said "If we stand for nothing we will fall for anything." I ask you, sir what do you stand for? Fairness? Justice? I put this question to you, sir. Where is the fairness in seating delegates who never had a actual choice in their vote? The DNC penalized Michigan and Florida for moving their primaries to earlier dates in violation of party rules. Little did we know at that time that these states would be a very important part of this process. Maybe that is a problem to itself? Both states were stripped of their delegates, and the party's presidential candidates signed a pledge not to campaign in either state.

The people who voted in those contests never got a chance to interact with the candidates. Did these people have a real choice? I think not. I believe the DNC needs to find a solution to this problem. Just seating delegates will not empower anyone, in fact it will only serve to reinforce the status quo.

I agree that these states should develop some kind alternative voting system – like a state caucus. Mr. Dean, this is a very serious problem that could tear at the fabric of the Democratic National Commitee. All this talk of super delegates defeats the purpose of the primaries and caucuses that have taken place. Let us not return to the days of the smoke filled room.