Formation of Splinter Parties

Baker makes a convincing case for continuing to follow the “frustrating but promising path of coalition politics.” But consider the status quo: increasing numbers of homeless, decreasing services for the mentally ill, civil rights being eroded faster than rain forests, family planning funds cut while inanities such as Star Wars waste billions, and federal and state legislatures so cowed by the National Rifle Assn. that they consider a ban on assault rifles a victory, while increasing numbers of innocent people are being slaughtered by handguns.

The Democrats, who Baker insists would be most affected by a third party, talk a good game, but devote most of their energy to trying to convince the few remaining voters that they are almost as conservative as the Republicans. With no prospect of change foreseeable, and the differences between Democrats and Republicans shrinking to negligibility, perhaps a new party such as the one proposed at the NOW convention, a party which could only succeed by keeping its promises and by serving the needs of the people, isn’t such a bad idea after all.

DAVID M. SHERR

Santa Monica