Readers React: Nature vs. nurture in politics

To the editor: David Sherman and Leaf Van Boven cite convincing research data to suggest that there are neurological differences that may explain the thinking beneath liberal and conservative minds. (“Similarities between Democrats, Republicans make them so different,” Op-Ed, Sept. 24)

But isn’t this just another iteration of the age-old “nature versus nurture” divide? It takes both environmental influences and biological factors to form an individual.

The writers go further, however, in their assertion of the “party over policy” practices ever so evident in politics today. But isn’t this phenomenon a confirmation of the tried and true practice of applying peer pressure to influence another?

It requires intestinal fortitude and integrity to maintain individuality.

Ben Miles, Huntington Beach

..

To the editor: Other countries have more than two major political parties. Why doesn’t the United States?

It makes no sense that there are more than 310 million people living in a massive, varied land with many different regions and cultures — but only two political parties to fall under. Americans have diverse interests and causes, many that cross party lines, but they are forced to vote for one of two monolithic platforms.

If we had multiple parties, people would be less partisan, more of them would participate in the electoral process and we’d get better government.

Zareh Delanchian, Tujunga

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion